Abu Dhabi is about to get a whole lot more competitive, with more than 1,000 young athletes from 55 countries arriving in the capital this week for the 2026 IMMAF Youth World Championships.
The week-long tournament brings together some of the sport’s most promising young competitors, all hoping to leave Abu Dhabi with a world title to their name.
Behind The IMMAF Youth World Championships
Organised by the International Mixed Martial Arts Federation (IMMAF), the championship is one of the major international platforms for young amateur MMA fighters.
Competitors aged between 10 and 17 will take part in the Youth D, C, B and A divisions, giving athletes the chance to test themselves against fighters from around the world in a regulated environment. Even more exciting is that the UAE will be represented by a strong national team.
When And Where Is It Happening?
The action takes place from 17 – 23 August at Mubadala Arena in Zayed Sports City, with seven days of competition scheduled.
The exact bout timings vary by day and category, so those eager to tune in are being advised to check the official competition schedule for the latest running order.
Pride and Prize
There is no publicly announced cash prize for the 2026 championship. Instead, fighters are competing for pure pride and the biggest prize in amateur MMA: the chance to become an IMMAF Youth World Champion, with medals awarded to the leading competitors in each division.
This tournament is also a significant stepping stone for athletes looking to build experience before potentially progressing into senior competition.
Watching The Fights
If you want to follow the action, the championships are being broadcast through IMMAF.tv, with daily coverage running throughout the tournament.
For further information, visit IMMAF | Mixed Martial Arts Federation.
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