Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC) is celebrating 25 years, and an upcoming documentary series reflects on its ties to the UFC and the history of submission fighting.
“The Abu Dhabi Combat Club” is a series directed by Mohammed Al Hosani and produced by Bobby Razak. The documentary focuses on the growth of the ADCC World Submission Fighting Championships and its importance in the martial arts landscape.
The first ADCC took place in March 1998, and the best grapplers in the world gathered to compete. “It was like a modern-day ‘Enter the Dragon,'” Bruce Buffer said in the series trailer. Names familiar to UFC fans such as Mark Kerr, Matt Hughes, Tito Ortiz, and Ronaldo “Jacare” Souza, among others competed in the early days of ADCC.
The series premieres in 2024, with platform details to be announced soon.
Check out the trailer in the video above, and the full description below:
Recently, the UFC celebrated 30 years of its existence. Delving in the overall history, there were two other organizations in the late 90’s that were instrumental in creating what we know today as Mixed Martial Arts: PRIDE and the subject of this docuseries, Abu Dhabi Combat Club (ADCC).
Over the past decade, the Director, Mohammed Al Hosani, driven by anthropological curiosity, embarked on a patient quest to chronicle the evolution of ADCC. His aim was to capture not just a sporting event, but a relatively unknown cultural phenomenon.
A respected figure in the martial arts community and a notable UFC commentator, Mohammed’s ADCC documentary offers a gripping journey through the sport’s rich history. His dual role as Director and UFC commentator, combined with the innovative filmmaking of Bobby Razak, adds a thrilling perspective, providing unique insights into the intricacies of mixed martial arts.
At the heart of this exploration is His Highness Sheikh Tahnoon bin Zayed Al Nahyan – Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi – an influential visionary and the esteemed creator of ADCC. As a key figure in combat sports, HH Sheikh Tahnoon’s instrumental role in establishing the ADCC Championships has left an indelible mark on the evolution of martial arts.
Stay tuned for an exciting blend of storytelling and cinematic innovation, unveiling HH Sheikh Tahnoon’s pivotal role and the cultural significance of ADCC.