Amin Touati

Amin Touati was born on November 12, 1978, in Stockholm, Sweden, and built a broad foundation in combat sports from an early age. Driven by a genuine curiosity for martial arts, he explored several disciplines before committing to a primary focus. Three years of boxing sharpened his striking fundamentals and competitive mindset — attributes that would later translate meaningfully onto the grappling mats.

The transition to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu came in late 2004 or early 2005, marking a decisive turning point in Touati's athletic journey. Under the guidance of his first BJJ coach, Christian Kennedy, he absorbed the foundational principles of the art and earned his blue belt — the beginning of what would become a defining chapter in both his competitive and professional life.

Touati's climb through the BJJ ranks unfolded across two continents, shaped by a succession of influential mentors. After receiving his blue belt from Christian Kennedy, he relocated to Dubai to work as a fitness instructor — a move that simultaneously advanced the next phase of his grappling development. There, he trained under Carlos Santos, who recognized his progress and awarded him his purple belt.

The most consequential mentorship of Touati's BJJ career came through Tam Khan, who facilitated an introduction to Royce Gracie. Training directly under one of the most iconic figures in the sport's history, Touati earned both his brown belt and his black belt from Royce Gracie. The black belt was formally awarded on June 11, 2011, cementing his place within the Gracie lineage.

Establishing the Sport in the UAE

Among Touati's most enduring contributions to the sport is his role in founding and growing BJJ in the United Arab Emirates. His relationship with Royce Gracie, made possible through Tam Khan, led directly to the establishment of the Royce Gracie Jiu Jitsu Academy Dubai — a landmark development for the region. Merging his career as a fitness instructor with his passion for the art, Touati became a central figure in popularizing BJJ across the UAE.

Competitive Record in the UAE

On the competitive stage, Touati represented the UAE in the super-heavyweight division — Peso Pesadissimo, for athletes over 100kg/221lbs — and built a notable regional record throughout the mid-to-late 2000s. He claimed the Emirates Cup title in 2006, then added silver medals at the Emirates Asian Super Cup and the Abu Dhabi International Cup in 2007, followed by a silver at the Emirates Cup Nogi in 2008. He also collected multiple podium finishes at the Ramadan Games Nogi events in 2008 and 2009, alongside a silver medal at the Emirates Team Jiu Jitsu Cup in 2009.

These results reflect a sustained competitive presence during a formative period for BJJ in the Gulf region. They also underscore the dual role Touati occupied — not only as a competitor, but as a builder who helped lay the groundwork for the sport's growth in Dubai.