Filipino Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu athlete Ellise Xoe Malilay added another feather to her cap after winning gold at the AJP International Tour – East Coast 2025, held at the Mubadala Arena in Abu Dhabi from April 18 to 20. The 17-year-old dominated the Professional Adult Women’s -49kg Purple Belt division, emerging as champion out of seven elite competitors.
Organized by Abu Dhabi Jiu-Jitsu Pro (AJP), the East Coast Tour is one of the key stops in the global AJP calendar, drawing top-tier athletes across belt levels and age divisions from around the world. The three-day championship featured high-intensity bouts across men’s and women’s amateur, master, and professional brackets. With live updates streamed on the official AJP Tour website, the tournament showcased some of the region’s—and the world’s—most promising and seasoned talents.
Ellise, who lives and trains in Abu Dhabi under Atrixion Combat Sports, is no stranger to the international spotlight. A purple belt with a remarkable competitive résumé, she is a three-time champion at the Abu Dhabi World Youth Jiu-Jitsu Championships (2022, 2023, and 2024) and holds the distinction of being the first medalist for the Youth Philippine National Team at the JJIF U18 World Championship. She also earned bronze at the JJIF Youth World Championships in Greece last year. Currently, she ranks 16th in the world in the Women’s Professional Purple division, 14th in the Professional Grappling category, 3rd in Asia, and is the top-ranked Filipina in her division.
Earlier this month, Ellise and her older sister, Eliecha Zoe Malilay, were honored at The Global Filipino Icon Awards 2025 in Dubai with the Global Ambassadors of Filipino Talent in Jiu-Jitsu Award. The ceremony, held on April 5 and graced by broadcast journalist Kara David, recognized the sisters’ commitment to elevating Filipino representation in the global jiu-jitsu scene. Ellise, who proudly represents the Youth Philippine National Team and is backed by international brand Hyperfly, continues to push boundaries and inspire the next generation of Filipina athletes in combat sports.
