When four legends of martial arts unite under one roof, the energy transcends sport. On October 23, Coca-Cola Arena will host QUINTET 5, marking the Middle East debut of the globally acclaimed team grappling championship.
Founded by Kazushi Sakuraba, the Japanese MMA pioneer often referred to as The Gracie Hunter, QUINTET is unlike any other combat format. It is a high-stakes, five-versus-five survival match, where the only path to victory is submission. Once a fighter wins, they remain in the ring until defeated.
A New Arena for an Ancient Discipline
For local athletes like Thiago Sá, Talison Soares, Pouya Rahmani, and Haitham Rida, the night is deeply personal. Sá, head coach of the renowned Team Nogueira Gym in Dubai, describes the event as a “homecoming of sorts” after seven years in the city.
“For years people have been saying they want to see me compete here, and now is the right time,” he said. “QUINTET is an incredible event and I hope it inspires more people in the region to understand and love the world of grappling.”
Team Nogueira’s presence in Dubai, with nearly 2,000 members, has helped build a new generation of regional fighters and enthusiasts, blending Brazilian roots with Middle Eastern ambition.
Four Teams, One Championship
Each of the four competing teams carries a legacy.
- Team Sakuraba: Haisam Rida, Igor Tanabe, Taisei Sakuraba, Daisuke Nakamura, Oshima Sōsuke
- Team Gracie: Talison Soares, Delson Heleno, Neiman Gracie, Diego Freire, Anderson Wesiley
- Team Nogueira: Pouya Rahmani, Abdelraouf Mido, Vetrov Nicolay, Thiago Sá, Zeliman Kashaev
- Team Bangtao: Kemoy Anderson, Lucas Barbosa, Alex Schild, Dong Hyun Kim, PJ Barch
The format is simple yet brutal. Two teams face off; each fighter enters until one is submitted. A draw eliminates both competitors. It continues until an entire team is defeated. On the night, Team Sakuraba faces Team Gracie in one semi-final, while Team Bangtao meets Team Nogueira in the other, leading to a grand finale where only one team will stand.
The captains read like a roll call of martial arts royalty: Kazushi Sakuraba, Renzo Gracie, Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, and Bob Sapp, names that defined the golden age of PRIDE FC. Their reunion in Dubai marks a symbolic bridge between past and present, East and West.
The Middle East and the Future of Combat
Regional promoter Tarek Suleiman calls this edition “a turning point” for Middle Eastern combat sports.
“We have four teams packed with talent — multiple world champions and fighters from the biggest global stages,” he says. “It’s a line-up that can compete anywhere in the world, and to see local names among them shows how far the region has come.”
From Abu Dhabi’s Jiu-Jitsu World Championships to UFC events and local academies across Dubai, the UAE has positioned itself as a global incubator for martial arts.
The Details
Date: Thursday, 23 October 2025
Venue: Coca-Cola Arena, Dubai
Tickets: Starting from AED 190, available via coca-cola-arena.com
As the mats are rolled out and legends take their corners, QUINTET 5 is set to become more than a tournament, a homage to the artistry of combat that continues to evolve in the heart of Dubai.
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