Moscow hosts global jiu-jitsu Grand Slam

Moscow is hosting over 1,200 competitors this weekend for the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Grand Slam, one of the biggest international events of the 2026-2027 season. The two-day competition, taking place on August 29 and 30 at the Dynamo Sports Academy, has drawn 1,220 athletes from 32 countries. The diverse field includes 85 black belts, providing a strong concentration of elite-level competitors.

The tournament is part of the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam Jiu-Jitsu World Tour, a major international circuit that brings together competitors from various academies, countries, and fighting systems. The presence of black belt competitors is particularly noteworthy, as Brazilian black belt Jonathan Silva highlighted the difficulty of facing opponents trained in different styles and systems.

The international field allows athletes to measure their technical development against unfamiliar opponents and coaches to assess tactical approaches across different schools. Tareq Al Bahri, general manager of the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro Association, emphasized the circuit's growing importance, noting the mix of champions from various academies and the significance of the Moscow registration, which reflects strong athlete and team confidence in the tournament.

The Moscow event is being held at the Dynamo Sports Academy on Yuri Nikulin Street, which will host the Grand Slam across both days as competitors advance through their respective divisions and compete for medals. As the AJP Tour maintains a busy global schedule, the Grand Slam format offers athletes multiple opportunities to compete during the season.

The series' return to Moscow demonstrates the organizers' continued focus on markets where jiu-jitsu has gained substantial participation. The broader expansion of international jiu-jitsu is supported by structured ranking systems, professional competition circuits, and increased opportunities for athletes to compete outside their home countries.

The Grand Slam circuit extends the UAE's role in promoting jiu-jitsu internationally, providing sustained competition for black belts and contributing to a well-rounded international competition calendar. Following Moscow, the Grand Slam series will move to Shanghai for its next major stop on October 17 and 18, with additional events planned across Europe, Asia, South America, and Oceania throughout September.