Dates Set For IBJJF & UAEJJF Major Events In 2018

Two of the biggest organizations in jiu-jitsu have set the dates for their 2018 schedule. Here are the major dates to save.

Dec 28, 2017 by Chase Smith

Dates Set For IBJJF & UAEJJF Major Events In 2018

Two of the biggest organizations in jiu-jitsu have set the dates for their 2018 schedule. Here are the major dates to save.

UAEJJF 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam

Jan 12-13, Abu Dhabi, UAE

The 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam sees the premier professional organization return to Zayed Sports City for two days of action. This is not the opening of a new season but instead the fourth leg of the Grand Slam World Tour. It’s a critical event for those chasing the top ranking spot (the winner earns $25,000 at the end of the season) and is shaping up to be a fantastic tournament. See our early preview and current rankings assessment now.

WATCH: Edwin Najmi vs. Marcio Andre – 2017 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam

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IBJJF 2018 European Championship

January 15*-21, Odivelas, Portugal

The IBJJF is set to kick off the New Year with one of its biggest events of the season: the European Championships. We love this event for several reasons: We get to see new black belts promoted over the winter holidays test their stuff against veteran competitors, we discover athletes that exceptionally talented but are unable to travel to the USA or Brazil to compete, and in general, we get to bask in the multi-cultural experience that is the European Championships.

There’s really no better event to start the season with.

*Start date subject to change

Early Notable Black Belt Male Registrations: Renato Canuto, Pablo Mantovani, John Combs, Gianni Grippo, Tommy Langaker, Jackson Sousa, Adam Wardzinski, Erberth Santos, Marcio Andre.

Gianni Grippo is in for the 2018 European Championships.

Early Notable Black Belt Female Registrations: Kristina Barlaan, Liwia Gluchowska, Talita Alencar, Bianca Basilio, Erin Herle, Samantha Cook, Claudia Do Val, Jessica Flowers.

2017 World Champion Claudia Do Val will be in Lisbon.

IBJJF 2018 Pan Kids

Feb 18, Long Beach, California

The rapid development of jiu-jitsu at the youth level is staggering. A competitive orange belt can be seen giving adult purple belts a run for their money in the gym — watching two of them going at it at a tournament is an eye-opening experience. See the future of jiu-jitsu before it happens at IBJFF Pan Kids Championship.

Zach Kaina vs. Hamazaki Danilo - 2017 Kids Pans

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UAEJJF 2018 London Grand Slam

Mar 10-11, London

The second weekend of March is an incredibly busy time for jiu-jitsu: We’ll see the UAEJJF’s final Grand Slam event of its season AND the IBJJF Pan Championship.

Though it’s too early to say with confidence who will be entering the London Grand Slam, we do know that many top athletes skipped Pans last year in their attempt to chance ranking points and the lucrative UAEJJF first-place ranking. Expect many European and Asian athletes to make the trek to the UK to throw down at this two-day event.

UNLOCKED: Adam Wardzinski vs. Xande Ribeiro - 2017 UK Grand Slam

IBJJF 2018 Pan Championships

Mar 7*-11, Irvine, California

The IBJJF Pan Championships places us in the heat of the season — active athletes have competed several times and are well-oiled machines. More than that, a massive contingency of elite athletes call Southern California their home, meaning that won't be traveling for Pans and should be in incredible shape.

A win at Pans is a massive accomplishment and places athletes in a great state of mind for the Abu Dhabi World Pro — and Worlds Championships that are just a few short weeks away — making the event an excellent tell for things to come.

*Start date subject to change

WATCH: Romulo Barral vs. Isaque Bahiense – 2017 Pan Championships