jordan pulse -
Jordanian Jiu-Jitsu star and black belt Yara Qaqish faces American Emily Ferreira in preliminary fights
Abu Dhabi, 11 January 2024: Combat sports enthusiasts in the UAE and around the world are less than ten days away from the second edition of the Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship (ADXC 2), a unique and innovative event that transforms the Abu Dhabi combat sports scene. The tournament will witness the participation of some of the brightest stars of jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts in the region and the world, as the jiu-jitsu fight brings together Jordanian Yara Qaqish and American Emily Ferreira in the preliminary fights for the tournament.
Qaqish tops the list of Arab players in the brown/black belt category in the Abu Dhabi Professional Jiu-Jitsu Association rankings, saying: “I have been able to develop my skills year after year, especially the quick attacking movements and pushing through the opponent’s defenses, as well as the submission techniques that I can implement from open and closed defense positions or by taking advantage of the opponent’s suit, which are part of the techniques I usually use in fights.”
Although she did not participate in the fights, Qaqish was present at the first edition of Abu Dhabi Extreme ( ADXC), where she interviewed the participating athletes: “I have always been trying to fight on various platforms and tournaments, but I had the opportunity to interview the players during the last edition of the tournament, and it was a good experience, especially given my experience in the field of martial arts.
Qaqish expressed her great happiness to represent her homeland Jordan on the Abu Dhabi Extreme Global Platform, especially as Jordan was one of the first Arab countries to support Jiu-Jitsu, and said: “As one of the few women with a black belt in the Arab region, participation in the tournament allows me to inspire and encourage more aspiring female athletes to reach this professional level. I was keen to exert more effort in preparation for this participation and to train more on various techniques and techniques.”
“I intend to focus on my own strategy during the fight, as Ferreira has comprehensive defensive capabilities and relies on attacks from a closed defence position. I think I’m ready to go into this fight with my experience in the black belt category and with a bold strategy based on tackling all their movements from the start.”
“Practicing various types of martial arts, including the black belt in kickboxing, has allowed me to gain many experiences and great flexibility to fight, in addition to the training I did inside the cage and my many experiences during the tournaments organized by the Abu Dhabi Professional Jiu-Jitsu Association,” Qaqish added.
The Abu Dhabi Extreme Championship has unique rules and runs for three rounds of three minutes each separated by a one-minute break, and Qaqish said: “Although rounds are short-lived, they require high levels of flexibility and fitness to submit and control the opponent, so I focus on cardio exercises as well as a range of technical aspects that I will reveal after the fight.”
Qaqish enjoys great support and encouragement from her fans in Jordan and the rest of the Arab countries, and noted: “I am very happy with the support I receive from Jiu-Jitsu and combat sports fans in our Arab region, and I realize that they are proud to have reached this global platform. I hope that this participation will pave the way for female athletes who aspire to enhance their sports careers.”
Emily Ferreira, who holds a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu and is a trainer at the Bastos Jiu-Jitsu Academy, is making her Abu Dhabi Extreme debut with her sights set on winning. Ferreira won silver at the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship and is looking to use her technical skills to decide the highly anticipated fight at the tournament.
The second edition of Abu Dhabi Extreme (ADXC 2) kicks off at Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi on January 19 and will feature a tough grappling clash between Algemin Sterling and Chase Hopper as well as 13 other matches.
Tickets can be purchased at prices starting from AED 50 online at
https://tickets.virginmegastore.me/.