The UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation is showing respect for its past black belt world champions by inviting them to compete for the title of "King of Mats" at this year's Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

Designed as a special attraction event, the King of Mats competition will include three divisions: lightweight (-69kg), middleweight (-85kg) and heavyweight (-110kg). Each division will offer around $70,000 in cash prizes. 

From a prestigious list of 35 Abu Dhabi World Pro champions, 18 will be chosen as per their availability to fight for the title of “King of Mats.”

The King of Mats event will take place on April 24 during the Abu Dhabi World Professional Championship at Mubadala Arena.

H.E. Abdulmunem Al Hashemi, chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation and president of the Asian Jiu-Jitsu Union and senior vice president of Jiu-Jitsu International Federation said: “Today, we are celebrating 10 years of success and creativity, and the graduation of generations of champions on and off the mat.

"The championship’s 10th anniversary coincides with the Year of Zayed, which is a precious opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the noble values and principles instilled by the late founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. It is also an opportunity to express our gratitude and commitment to build strong future generations.

“This jiu-jitsu extravaganza is part of a completion of a series of great and prodigious successes achieved by the championship both domestically and internationally during the last nine years.”