When the Karaganda Open Jiu-Jitsu Championship takes place in Kazakhstan this September, eight-year-old Haroun Ahmed Al Khouri will step into the center ring for a no-gi super fight. The young Emirati, representing Team Namous, is set to face Muhammad Yusupov at the Sapiyev Boxing Centre on 20 September.
This match is another step in Al Khouri's growing career. He has already collected medals at international events and is known for his technical skill at a young age. According to the AJP Tour ranking page, the AJP Tour series is active in September 2026 and draws international competitors, but there is no independent confirmation of the specific super fight between Al Khouri and Yusupov at the Karaganda Open.
"The AJP Tour ranking page confirms ongoing international tournaments in September 2026, but does not independently verify the announced Al Khouri vs Yusupov super fight in Karaganda."
- AJP Tour ranking page
Al Khouri trains under coach Igor Fontikov and has built a competitive résumé that includes a silver medal at the Abu Dhabi World Professional Jiu-Jitsu Championship, along with podium finishes at Grand Slam events in Moscow and Rome. However, the AJP Tour ranking page notes that while young and professional athletes do compete in the Grand Slam/AJP Tour series, there is no independent confirmation of the specific medals listed here.
Preparation for this match has been focused and demanding. Fontikov's training has sharpened Al Khouri's technique and prepared him for the challenges of international competition. His ability to adapt against foreign opponents comes from this disciplined approach. Still, sources like NoGiPedia and other jiu-jitsu result summaries for 2026 do not mention the Karaganda Open, the Sapiyev Boxing Centre, or the Al Khouri vs Yusupov bout in major international coverage.
"Recent AJP Tour news from 17 September 2026 confirms that AJP tournaments and their results are being finalized in various countries during this period, making the timing of a September event in Kazakhstan plausible. However, there is no separate official confirmation of the specific match between Al Khouri and Yusupov."
- AJP Tour weekend recap
Al Khouri's experience goes beyond a few tournaments. He has competed regularly on the AJP circuit and has won multiple titles at the Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championships. This exposure has given him composure and tactical awareness uncommon for his age. Still, independent sources such as FloGrappling and ADCC 2026 result summaries do not show direct evidence of Al Khouri's participation or results in major international events during the 12-16 September 2026 period, though they confirm a busy global jiu-jitsu calendar at that time.
Before the Karaganda Open, Al Khouri said, "I am happy to represent the UAE in Kazakhstan and have prepared well with my coach. I will do my best and hope to win and raise the UAE flag." His goal is clear: to keep competing at a high level and pursue more achievements in jiu-jitsu. However, no official quotes from Al Khouri, his coach, or the Karaganda Open organizers have been independently confirmed in primary news sources.
For the UAE, Al Khouri's appearance on the international stage reflects the country's growing presence in youth jiu-jitsu. This trend is also seen in other sports, such as the recent delegation to the MENA Regional Games in Cairo.
With each international event, Al Khouri is not only adding to his medal count but also raising expectations for young Emirati athletes. His progress shows that UAE talent is aiming for more than local success and is now part of the global jiu-jitsu scene. The upcoming match in Kazakhstan will be another test of his abilities.
