Weekend recap: Professional black belts showcase their skills in the UAE

April 7, 2025

Keeping up with its tradition of hosting tournaments during the weekend, the AJP returned to its birthplace in the UAE and held the explosive Dubai International at the Shabab Al Ahli Club. Starting last Friday, April 4th, and going all the way to Sunday, April 6th, the event set up five fight areas and opened the venue for competitors of all ages and graduations, who fought tooth and nail to become champions across the three days of the championship.

On the last day of the tournament, the attending crowd and the fight fans following the action live at the TX7.com platform were able to witness the highest level of Jiu-Jitsu as the aces of the Professional Black Belt category took the stage, with each of the weight classes bringing memorable duels as competitors from all over the world strived to reach the top of the podium.

Starting with the men, Bruno Borges (Abu Dhabi Police Academy) took over the 62kg division by first submitting Carlos Samboni (Commando Group) in the semifinal and then scoring 7-2 over Felipe Fernandes (Commando Group). Rony Fialho (MOD UAE) reigned over the 69kg division by first submitting Yendy Cuadrado (Commando Group) and then outscoring both Guthiery Melo (MOD UAE) and Giovanny Nascimento (Commando Group), while the 77kg division saw the rise of Jefferson Goteu (Commando Group), who scored a 9-0 win over Fernando Aparecido (MOD UAE) in the semis before heading to the final and scoring last in a 2-2 tie to clutch the gold.

Jonatham Silva (Abu Dhabi Police Academy) outscored Lucas Giraud (Commando Group) by 4-2 for the 85kg title, Renato Cardoso (Commando Group) submitted Vahid Vazirian (Entropy Jiu Jitsu) before beating Uanderson Ferreira by 3-1 to become the 94kg champion, and Dennis Souza (Commando Group) passed the semis with a 7-3 score against Sviatoslav Ognev (MOD UAE) before narrowly defeating Catriel Fernandes (Team Zone 10 Jiu Jitsu) by 2-1 to reign over the 120kg division.

Over on the women's side, Layza Rodrigues (Nabil Jiu-Jitsu) submitted both Moldir Mekenbayeva (Checkmat International) and Roama Correa (MOD UAE) for the 55kg title, Leticia Wambier (MOD UAE) beat Maria Gabriela Almeida (Nabil Jiu-Jitsu) by 5-0 in the semifinal before getting a narrow 4-3 win over Raphaella Andrade (Palm Sports Team 777) for the 62kg division gold, Thamara Silva (Fratres Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) submitted both Marwa Alhosani (Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club) and Olha Chaliuk (Dubai Police HQ) and then took the top spot on the 70kg podium by beating Jamile Lima (MOD UAE) with a 7-3 score, and Stefhanie Costa (Fernando Terere Jiu-Jitsu) became the 95kg division champ after outscoring Geovana Malta (MOD UAE) by 11-6.

Check out the full results here!