The 2017-18 UAEJJF Jiu-Jitsu World Tour kicks into top gear this weekend with the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam.

With more than $2,000 being awarded to each first-place winner in the black belt divisions — plus the all-important ranking points — the fourth Grand Slam of the season is a pivotal moment for all UAEJJF athletes.  

Here’s a breakdown of the divisions.

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56kg: Lima Positioned To Make Jump In Rankings

Brazilian athletes Jose Lima and Jorge Nakamura have been battling it out all season in the 56kg division, with Lima holding the lead by 60 points. A win here for either man will help secure his standing in the top 10 South American black belt rankings, but our money is on the GF Team member Lima, who seems to be in total control of the division.

62kg: A Round-Robin Affair

Small but mighty, the 62kg division features three athletes: Joao Miyao, Hiago Geroge – both from Cicero Costha — and Jarrah Alhaza representing GF Team. The UAEJJF mandates that any division with three athletes will have its final decision by round-robin: the top two athletes move on to the final going down on Saturday. It’s hard to imagine a world in which Miyao doesn’t move on to the second day of competition in this scenario, but second place is currently anyone’s game.

69kg: The Return Of Paulo Miyao

Without question, the biggest story surrounding the 69kg division is the return of Paulo Miyao to open competition. But make no mistake, this is one of the toughest divisions of the event: loop-choke machine Alexandre Vieira and UAEJJF standout competitor Thiago Bravo stand in Miyao's way to gold. Don’t miss this division — it’s gonna be a good one.

77kg: Wide Open

The 77kg division is truly anyone’s game. Key athletes include Lachlan Giles from Australia, Ali Munfaradi from Bahrain, and Raphael Mello of Brazil (though currently living in the UAE).  

85kg: Canuto Out, Bahiense’s Odd’s Are Good

Isaque Bahiense has been one of the most dominant athletes in the UAEJJF since receiving his black belt in in 2016. With first-place finishes at the Tokyo and Rio Grand Slams, Bahiense has shown that he's a force to be reckoned with at 85kg. Also in this stacked division are two standouts from the UK: Charles Negromonte (a Brazilian who teaches out of Roger Gracie's academy in London) and Bradley Hill from Gracie Barra Birmingham. Jaime Canuto was supposed to be in but missed the trip due to problems with his travel arrangements.

94kg: Wardzinski Eyes Top UAEJJF Position

With the absence of Patrick Gaudio from the bracket (he suffered the same issue as Canuto) No. 2-ranked UAEJJF black belt Adam Wardzinski seems to have a solid chance of landing at the top of the podium this weekend. Helton Junior, Paulo Pinto, and Alliance's Lucas Figueiredo are certainly in a position to make things interesting, but ultimately the organization of the bracket will make all the difference in how this division plays out.

110kg: Top-Ranked Black Belt Igor Silva

With a bye through to the semifinals, No. 1-ranked UAEJJF black belt Igor Silva already has gold at the Abu Dhabi Grand Slam within his grasp. He’ll face either Pablo Aragao out of Brazil or Antonio Junior from Roger Gracie Academy. The other side of the bracket is comprised of the always tough Paulo Brasil, Luiz Henrique, and Mauricio Lima. 

Watch the 2018 Abu Dhabi Grand Slam LIVE or On Demand right here on FloGrappling.com!