Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
A bold new chapter in combat sports is unfolding in the Middle East with the announcement that the pioneering Japanese martial arts promotion Quintet will be making its regional debut in Dubai.
The event, titled Quintet 5, is scheduled to take place on October 23, marking the first time this unique team-based grappling format will be showcased in the Gulf, and outside of Japan and United States in its short history.
The announcement was made during a news conference at Yas Island in Abu Dhabi, held as part of the UAE’s Showdown Week – a premier sporting initiative that regularly draws top-tier mixed martial arts (MMA) talent and organisations from around the world.
Present on the occasion were Kazushi Sakuraba, the Quintet founder and one of MMA pioneers from Japan, and Tarek Suleiman, a seasoned martial artist who will be spearheading the brand’s expansion across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) as regional partner.
Sakuraba, a veteran of Pride Fighting Championships and widely considered one of the most influential grapplers in MMA history, spoke passionately about the decision to bring his promotion to the UAE. “For Japanese martial artists, Abu Dhabi is a name we’ve always held in high regard,” he said.
“We watched from afar how the UAE embraced jiu-jitsu and elevated it into something bigger than just a sport – a cultural and national movement. To launch Quintet here is not only symbolic, but meaningful. The people understand the art. The government supports it. And the athletes here live it.”
Quintet is distinct from traditional MMA or Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) competitions. First launched in 2018, the promotion is known for its “winner-stays-on” format, in which five-member teams compete in elimination-style grappling matches.
Each individual bout ends either in a submission or a draw – there are no judges and no points system. If a competitor wins by submission, they remain on the mat to face the next opponent from the opposing team. If the match ends in a draw, both competitors are eliminated. The format encourages tactical team decisions, creative grappling, and cohesive strategy – all while staying rooted in the respect-driven philosophy of martial arts.
“This isn’t just a one-off. We’re here to build something lasting,” said Suleiman, who himself has competed under the Quintet rule set. “The UAE has become a global destination for combat sports, and now it will be the home for team-based grappling in the region. Through Quintet, we aim to provide athletes with a new platform – one that prioritises cooperation, strategy, and team pride.”
The event also drew the attention of major international MMA figures, including Ali Al Qaisi, widely regarded as the Arab world’s top featherweight, and Marc Goddard, one of the sport’s most respected referees. Their presence underscored the increasing convergence between mainstream MMA and submission-only grappling formats.
A busy two weeks of MMA in the UAE has seen the IMMAF Youth World Championships, a dual UAE Warriors card, the UFC Fight Night being held while the World Grappling Championship is upcoming in Al Ain from August 1.
Quintet 5 will feature teams from across the Middle East and North Africa, with organisers confirming that both regional standouts and international athletes will participate.
According to Suleiman, the Dubai event is part of a wider strategy aimed at developing a sustainable league system and athlete pipeline tailored to the region’s unique combat sports culture. This initiative aligns with broader ambitions by UAE sporting authorities to nurture homegrown talent and elevate martial arts as a pillar of national fitness, discipline, and international recognition.
