The Ultimate Showdown: ADXC sets out to revolutionize combat sports championships

Combining Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, grappling and mixed martial arts, ADXC will feature some of the biggest athletes on a global stage – and within the confines of a cage

Organizers have officially confirmed that the Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship (ADXC), a revolutionary competition in the realm of combat sports, will be inaugurated during Abu Dhabi Showdown Week this October in the capital of the UAE. The upcoming championship, which takes place within a cage, strives to merge the pinnacle of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, grappling, and mixed martial arts featuring some of the best athletes in the world presenting a captivating and thrilling encounter for practitioners, followers, and martial arts enthusiasts alike.

The announcement was made during a press conference held at the Anantara Eastern Mangroves Abu Dhabi Hotel on Wednesday, June 21st, in the presence of His Excellency Abdel Moneim Al Hashemi, Chairman of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, President of the Asian Jiu-Jitsu Union, Senior Vice President of the International Jiu-Jitsu Federation, and Chairman of International Vision Investments IVI.

Jiu-Jitsu icons Leo Vieira, Braulio Estima, Mackenzie Dern, André Galvão, Julio Cesar, and Angelica Galvão attended the conference.

“We are proud to introduce the unique Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship (ADXC), which represents Abu Dhabi’s contribution to the world of martial arts,” said Hashemi. “It will once again attract enthusiasts from around the world to Abu Dhabi, the global capital of martial arts. This event reflects the UAE’s commitment to supporting sports and their top athletes globally. The championship aims to make an unprecedented impact on the sector, expanding horizons and solidifying Abu Dhabi’s leading position in combat sports.

“The Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship is a new milestone for success and excellence in the capital of sports. We always strive for innovation and when the championship launches, it will capture the world’s attention by bringing together stars and heroes from different cities around the world. The task will not be easy, and we wish everyone good luck.”

Cage Matches and Super Fights

ADXC will boast several remarkable features that set it apart. One of its defining characteristics will be a visually stunning cage, providing an impressive backdrop for the matches. The tournament will also employ a strategic and crowd-pleasing matchmaking style, carefully curating matchups to deliver thrilling encounters. Supported by a tailored rule set, the championship aims to extract the best performances from world-renowned athletes while ensuring maximum entertainment value for fans. The matches will encompass both Gi and No-Gi competitions, further diversifying the experience.

The highly anticipated event will showcase a total of 13 rounds, comprising both preliminary matches and exhilarating finales. This gathering will unite top-tier Jiu-Jitsu and grappling superstars from all over the globe. The selection process for participating athletes will be thorough, taking into account their rankings in the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam World Tour, their performances in the Abu Dhabi Professional Jiu-Jitsu League, and their achievements in the prestigious Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship.

About the format of the fight, André Galvão spoke more about the three rounds style, without points on the scoreboard, and the strategy that comes with the rounds.

“Each round will come as 10-9 or 10-8 on points, just like MMA, and a draw can happen. But the rounds with a minute of rest are enough to change things, like reflect on the strategy with the fight ongoing, and understand if you’re winning or losing the fight. We’re discussing if we’re going to have an extra round if it goes to a draw, avoiding the referee’s decision. The fight will keep going, without stoppages of mat scapes, as the fights happen in the cage, so the aim is to make the fights entertaining and exciting.”

The ADXC introduces a groundbreaking player selection process, incorporating invitation cards that adhere to specific criteria set forth by the tournament’s organizing committee regulations. Additionally, the championship will feature an exciting lineup of 12-16 “Super Fights,” each consisting of three rounds lasting three minutes. Setting itself apart from conventional norms, the tournament has devised a set of innovative rules that prioritize combat strategies and excellence, fostering an environment that encourages athletes to continually enhance their skills and abilities.

Unique Fan Experiences

In addition to the exciting tournament itself, the organizing committee has revealed plans to incorporate various fan-centric experiences into the event. These include special opportunities for fans to meet and interact with the champions, engaging in interactive activities, and enjoying exclusive behind-the-scenes tours. These initiatives are in line with the committee’s commitment to delivering an exceptional event experience that caters to the preferences and enjoyment of the audience.

Rodrigo Valerio, Operations manager at AJP Tour – the event’s technical partner, provided details on the various specifics of the new championship, highlighted the advantages and revealing that it will feature both Gi and non-Gi fights. “The ADXC will attract a diverse group of athletes to showcase their skills inside the octagon,” he said. “We have adopted qualifiers and comprehensive weight categories, carefully choosing dates to ensure the participation of the most distinguished stars.”