Mo Jassim, the former head organizer of the ADCC World Championships, announced on October 13th that he is stepping down from his role. This announcement comes as a surprise to many in the grappling community, especially considering Jassim’s recent statements about plans for ADCC 2026.
Just two weeks prior to his announcement, Jassim was actively discussing potential venues and budgets for the next ADCC event. During a livestream on September 30th, he was engaging with fans about various cities courting the event. He even stated, “If I got the phone call, I’ll be there in a heartbeat,” when discussing the possibility of holding the event in the UAE.
In the same livestream he revealed he might be organizing a one off pro event: “I’m getting pushed to do, What’s it called, another single ADCC event, like a pro event. I did it once before and it was great.”
In the same livestream, Jassim addressed where he stands with Craig Jones saying: “I don’t hate Craig. I really don’t. I just think it’s bizarre because the last time I spoke to him, like for the last year, everything was pleasant. Then all of a sudden, he went on this tirade.”
“So, no, I don’t hate the guy. I really don’t. There was some other things that happened, which is an interesting thing. You know, I was annoyed at first and then it is what it is, but there were some other things that had nothing to do with him per se, that went on, that left a a really bad taste in my mouth, to be honest.”
“And I thought after a month I’d be over it, but I don’t think I am. But it wasn’t because of him. It’s just the sport and let’s just say there is a reason why this sport has never grown in like 30, 40 years.”
Jassim‘s tenure as ADCC head organizer was marked by significant growth and innovation. He was instrumental in elevating the production value of the events, introducing elements such as LED screens, pyrotechnics, and live performances. Under his leadership, ADCC 2022 saw unprecedented attendance, with over 10,000 spectators.
In his public statement, Jassim expressed gratitude to Sheikh Tahnoon for the opportunity to be the only person to organize three ADCC World Championships. He also thanked Guy Neivens for allowing him to progress from “wristband boy” to head organizer, and acknowledged the contributions of his team, including Seth Daniels and Shawn Fowler.
Jassim‘s departure comes at a time when the sport of submission grappling is gaining momentum. He stated, “The sport has never been in a better place to break through mainstream, which has always been the end goal.” Despite stepping down, Jassim affirmed his continued support for ADCC and any organizers or events that aim to grow the sport.
The announcement has left many wondering about the future direction of ADCC. Jassim had been discussing plans for expanding the tournament, including the possibility of introducing an ADCC kids championship and increasing the number of ADCC opens.
While Jassim’s leadership brought significant growth to ADCC, it was not without challenges. Recent controversies surrounding athlete compensation and scheduling conflicts with other major grappling events had put some pressure on the organization.
As the grappling community processes this unexpected news, all eyes will be on ADCC to see who will take the reins for the 2026 event and beyond. Jassim’s final words in his statement, “I look forward to being just a fan again,” suggest he’ll be watching the future of ADCC alongside the rest of the grappling world.
