PRIDE legend Kazushi Sakuraba books Quintet 5 tournament for Oct. 23 in Dubai

The world’s best grapplers are returning to the Middle East.

Japanese martial arts promotion Quintet recently announced its inaugural regional event, Quintet 5, for Oct. 23, 2025 at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, UAE. Leading the press conference was former Pride FC icon and Quintet founder Kazushi Sakuraba along with regional partner and veteran martial artist Tarek Suleiman.

Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) and its history of prestigious grappling tournaments dating all the way back to the late nineties.

“For Japanese martial artists, Abu Dhabi is a name we’ve always held in high regard,” Sakuraba said. “We watched from afar how the UAE embraced jiu-jitsu and elevated it into something bigger than just a sport — a cultural and national movement. To launch Quintet here is not only symbolic, but meaningful. The people understand the art. The government supports it. And the athletes here live it.”

Quintet features a five-on-five team-based grappling format, eliminating points and judges by forcing all matches to end by way of submission or draw. Quintet has already held successful competitions in both Japan and the United States.

“This isn’t just a one-off, we’re here to build something lasting,” Suleiman added. “The UAE has become a global destination for combat sports, and now it will be the home for team-based grappling in the region. Through Quintet, we aim to provide athletes with a new platform — one that prioritizes cooperation, strategy, and team pride.”

Matchups for Quintet 5 are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.