Zayed Alkatheeri

Zayed Alkatheeri was born on March 15, 2000, in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates. He discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at the age of 16, embarking on a journey that would rapidly establish him as one of the most decorated Emirati grapplers in the sport's history. He joined Al Jazeera Sportsclub under the guidance of coach Ribamar Santiago, whose mentorship proved instrumental in shaping his technical development and competitive mindset.

From the outset, Alkatheeri demonstrated an exceptional level of commitment, turning professional as a white belt and dedicating himself fully to the craft. His rapid progression reflected both natural aptitude and a relentless work ethic, culminating in his promotion to black belt on May 10, 2022 — just five years after he first stepped onto the mats.

Long before reaching the black belt division, Alkatheeri had already established himself as a formidable presence on the Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro (AJP) Tour, one of the most prestigious competitive circuits in the sport. Competing in the roosterweight division, he built a commanding résumé across the colored belt ranks that signaled the arrival of a future elite-level competitor.

At blue belt in 2019, Alkatheeri announced himself on the international stage by claiming gold at the AJP Grand Slam in Los Angeles and the AJP EU Continental Pro, demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure against world-class opposition. His ascent continued at purple belt in 2020, when he captured both the AJP Abu Dhabi World Pro title and the AJP Grand Slam Abu Dhabi. Moving into the brown belt ranks, Alkatheeri maintained his winning trajectory, taking gold at the AJP Grand Slam Miami in 2021 before returning to claim the AJP Grand Slam Abu Dhabi title again in 2022. By the time Ribamar Santiago promoted him to black belt, Alkatheeri had already conquered the AJP World Pro and multiple Grand Slam events, cementing his reputation as one of roosterweight's most dangerous competitors.

Alkatheeri's transition to the black belt division produced immediate results, with his competitive momentum carrying seamlessly into the sport's most demanding tier. In 2022, he reached the podium at the AJP Grand Slam Rio de Janeiro, claimed the AJP Grand Slam Miami title, and secured the AJP Abu Dhabi World Pro championship — a title he had previously won at the colored belt level, underscoring his sustained dominance across divisions.

The defining moment of Alkatheeri's career arrived in 2023 when he captured gold at the 2023 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship, becoming the first Emirati athlete to win a gold medal at the IBJJF Pan American Championship at the adult black belt level. The achievement represented a landmark not only for Alkatheeri personally but for the broader growth of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in the United Arab Emirates. He further reinforced his elite standing that year with Grand Slam victories in London and Abu Dhabi. In 2024, Alkatheeri reached the final of the 2024 IBJJF World Championship, earning a silver medal that confirmed his place among the very best roosterweight competitors in the world.

Alkatheeri carried his elite grappling credentials onto the global stage of ONE Championship on February 20, 2025, making his promotional debut at ONE 171. Facing Mohammad Aburumuh, he delivered a statement performance — securing a submission victory in his first appearance under the ONE Championship banner. The debut marked a new chapter in his career, signaling his ambition to test his skills against the highest levels of submission grappling competition on an international platform. Alkatheeri competes in the roosterweight division at 57.50 kg (127.0 lbs).