How His First Loss Shaped Emirati Jiu-Jitsu Champion Saeed Al-Kubaisi

Jiu-jitsu is one of the oldest martial arts and self-defence disciplines, built around grappling, ground control and submission techniques that rely on skill, leverage and strategy rather than punches or kicks. Among the sport’s leading Emirati names is Saeed AlKubaisi, a standout member of the UAE national team and Al Wahda Club who has made his mark at continental and international competitions.

In an exclusive interview with SceneSports, AlKubaisi opens up about his journey in the sport, the achievements that have defined his career, the sacrifices behind his success and the goals he hopes to achieve next.

Who is Saeed AlKubaisi away from the mats?

I’m obsessed with video games and following football, but I also like to keep learning and educating myself, even about the simplest things outside sport. I believe that being successful in your field isn’t enough on its own. An athlete also needs to grow as a person and develop an identity that stands apart from their sport.

Every champion has a turning point. When did your jiu-jitsu journey begin, and what drew you to the sport over other disciplines?

I started practising jiu-jitsu at school. When I first encountered the sport, I thought I could beat anyone simply because I was bigger than them. But in my very first training session, a classmate who weighed roughly half as much as I did beat me. That was when I realised that jiu-jitsu isn’t just about strength. It requires intelligence and a high level of flexibility.

You have built an impressive record of titles and medals. What have been the defining milestones of your career so far, and which achievement means the most to you?

I’ve won numerous continental, international and domestic titles, but some competitions stand out because of their importance and the value they added to my career. Among them are the World Games and the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, where I won in the brown belt category, alongside many other competitions I’ve achieved success in.

Some of AlKubaisi’s career highlights include:

- Best Emirati Player of the Year, 2023

- Third place at the 2023 Asian Games

- Gold at the 2024 Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship in the brown belt category

- First place at the 2025 World Games in Chengdu

- First place at the 2025 World Championship in Thailand

- Second place at the 2025 Islamic Solidarity Games

- Best Emirati Player of the Year, 2025

Reaching the top takes a different mindset. How do you prepare mentally and tactically for major matches, and how do you manage pressure when a fight isn’t going your way?

Reaching the top isn’t easy, but staying there is even harder. It takes real mental toughness. Even when you have that resilience, you’ll still go through difficult periods, with setbacks and obstacles that can affect you psychologically. In those moments, you have to remind yourself that you’re the best and remember what you’re capable of doing.

Behind every medal is hard work the public rarely sees. What sacrifices does competing at a professional level demand in terms of training, nutrition and daily discipline?

There are certainly things the public doesn’t see, including the significant sacrifices professional athletes make. One of the simplest examples is giving up personal time and time spent with family and friends. You also have to stay committed to your diet because your body recovers based on the food you eat and the quality of sleep you give it.

Having established yourself among the sport’s top athletes, what are your next goals? Which titles are you still hoping to add to your record?

One title I hope to win is the black belt division at the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship. I also want to become a symbol of the sport in the United Arab Emirates.

As a role model for young athletes, what advice would you give children taking their first steps in jiu-jitsu and dreaming of competing on the world stage?

My advice to the next generation is never to give up on your dreams, no matter how difficult they are to achieve. Big dreams come with accumulated experience, and one of the biggest mistakes you can make is comparing yourself to others. You have to avoid those distractions and focus on your own journey. Young athletes should never give up on their dreams.