The UAE Kickboxing Championship for the seniors category is set to begin this Friday, September 11, at the Mubadala Dome within Abu Dhabi’s Al Jazira Sports Club. This event serves as the official curtain-raiser for the 2026–27 domestic sporting calendar, operating under the banner of the “Emirates Champions Season.” Organized by the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, the tournament will span three days, concluding on Sunday, September 13, and represents the first major title contest of the new season.
Athletes will compete across four distinct disciplines governed by the World Association of Kickboxing (WAKO) technical regulations. These include Point Fight and Kick Light, which take place on the tatami, as well as Low Kick and K-1, which are contested in the ring. The event schedule commences on Wednesday with medical examinations and weigh-ins held from 4pm to 8pm at the Federation’s headquarters in Abu Dhabi. Preliminary rounds follow on Friday from 3pm to 8pm, with semi-finals scheduled for Saturday and the final bouts and podium ceremonies taking place on Sunday between 12pm and 8pm.
As the inaugural stage of the Emirates Champions Season, the championship provides a critical benchmark for clubs, academies, and individual competitors. The season itself is expansive, featuring nine national championships and a wide array of Muay Thai and Kickboxing competitions across all age groups. This structured approach is designed to ensure athletes have consistent opportunities to refine their technical skills and gain competitive experience throughout the year, with the current calendar extending through June 2027.
Ali Khouri, a board member of the UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, emphasized the importance of this opening event. He noted that the championship reflects the ongoing growth of the sport nationwide, offering athletes an early chance to sharpen their readiness and gain official exposure. Khouri expressed confidence that the event will showcase strong technical performances, highlighting the depth of training provided by local clubs and academies. He added that the Federation remains committed to creating organized environments where participants can test their abilities and elevate their competitive standards.
The UAE Muay Thai and Kickboxing Federation, which has served as the official governing body for these sports since its establishment in May 2017, continues to focus on developing the technical and community foundations of the disciplines. Beyond domestic events, the organization is tasked with preparing national teams to compete at the highest amateur and professional levels on both regional and international stages. The report also notes that and sets the tone for a calendar that will run through to June 2027, it is the first competitive stage on which the level of preparation across the country will be measured. The report also notes that he added: “We are looking forward to strong technical performances that reflect the development of our athletes and the depth of the work being done inside our clubs and academies. The report also notes that and it feeds directly into the standing of UAE Kickboxing and the ambitions we hold for the commitments ahead.”, that work supports the role of our clubs and academies in preparing and refining talent.
