HomeCaliforniaChula Vista › AKA (American Kickboxing Academy) - Muay Thai, Taekwondo, Jiu-Jitsu, MMA & Boxing

AKA (American Kickboxing Academy) - Muay Thai, Taekwondo, Jiu-Jitsu, MMA & Boxing

5 ★★★★★ 28 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Chula Vista, California

BJJ gym Beginners welcome Kids & teens No-gi Competition team

Plan your first class

  • Beginner-friendly all levels welcome, including total beginners — you don't need to be fit or have any experience to start
  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth BJJ classes (ages 4–65) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • No-gi no-gi grappling classes — training in a rashguard and shorts, with faster scrambles and a natural bridge to MMA
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule aka-sandiego.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (619) 997-4335

Hours

Monday 3–9 PM
Tuesday 3–9 PM
Wednesday 3–9 PM
Thursday 3–9 PM
Friday 3–9 PM
Saturday 9 AM–12 PM
Sunday Closed

Hours shift for holidays, seminars, and open-gym times — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

BJJ classes on the schedule at AKA (American Kickboxing Academy) - Muay Thai, Taekwondo, Jiu-Jitsu, MMA & Boxing, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 49 mentions

“If you are looking for a great and safe place for your kids (and yourself) to learn Martial Arts, please check out Blue Dragon Martial Arts school.”

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Teens BJJ

“We have three sons and one has already completed his black belt and BDMA contributed a lot to him being an excellent student and athlete in high school and college.”

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🏆 Competition Team 6 mentions

“Another bonus is that Master Tony gives kids the opportunity to participate in tournaments by joining the Demo/Competition Team.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense 2 mentions

“I feel Bluedragon training is the real deal and prepares kids and individual for the real world.”

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🌱 Beginners 2 mentions

“I had a good experience starting off as they are very beginner friendly.”

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Other martial arts here

BJJ gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at AKA (American Kickboxing Academy) - Muay Thai, Taekwondo, Jiu-Jitsu, MMA & Boxing — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🥊 Muay Thai

“They not only teach Takewondo, Muay Thai, Boxing, Jiu Jitsu, Kung fu (to name a few) but they also teach SELF-CONFIDENCE, SELF-ESTEEM, DISCIPLINE, FOCUS, RESPECT, and SELF-CONTROL.”

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🏟️ MMA 5 mentions

“The programs not only has helped my son develop his MMA skill level but more import to me is his mental and maturity level.”

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🥊 Boxing 2 mentions

“They not only teach Takewondo, Muay Thai, Boxing, Jiu Jitsu, Kung fu (to name a few) but they also teach SELF-CONFIDENCE, SELF-ESTEEM, DISCIPLINE, FOCUS, RESPECT, and SELF-CONTROL.”

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🎽 Karate 3 mentions

“Ok where do I start, over 4 years ago my son was 8 years old and decided to quite football and wanted to try the sport of Karate.”

Other gyms that also teach karate →

Disciplines are mined from reviews and the gym's own info — they show what members have trained, not a formal class guarantee. If you specifically want MMA, muay thai, or wrestling alongside your BJJ, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 28 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 4 mentions

“Sensei Michael and Chez are great world class instructors who take the time to ensure the kids are learning and are challenged every class.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 3 mentions

“I had a good experience starting off as they are very beginner friendly.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 6 mentions

“They are very kind and explain each technique so well that it is easy to understand.”

🧒 strong kids program 9 mentions

“I would recommend this dojo if you are looking to teach your child self discipline and respect.”

active competition team 6 mentions

“Another bonus is that Master Tony gives kids the opportunity to participate in tournaments by joining the Demo/Competition Team.”

💵 good value / fair pricing 3 mentions

“However, it does takes commitment from me and my son to participate, but well worth it.”

From the reviews

I am 77 years old and have 10 years of experience in Shotokan Karate and took my Black Belt when I was 50. After a 27 year absence from training I joined the Blue Dragon class as a way of toning old muscles and as an aid to weight control, but what I found was totally different.

★★★★★ — Glenn, Oct 2021

We have been with BDMA for over 3 years and I can not say enough nice things about them. Master Tony and the other instructors are amazing with the kids at every level of training both in Taekwondo and Jujitsu. The instructors are firm, but patient and make sure that each student feels successful during every class.

★★★★★ — Robyn, Feb 2022

Ok where do I start, over 4 years ago my son was 8 years old and decided to quite football and wanted to try the sport of Karate. Here we are now going in to the 5th year and he is still with the program, hoping to gain the rank of Black belt in the future.

★★★★★ — Paul, Apr 2014

Our son started at Blue Dragon MMA when he was 6 and has been there for nearly 2 years now. We were hesitant at first to sign him up because he can be very shy and sensitive and he's not aggressive at all. However, Master Tony and his instructors are very good with the kids and made him feel comfortable.

★★★★★ — Ma, Mar 2014

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 28 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at AKA (American Kickboxing Academy) - Muay Thai, Taekwondo, Jiu-Jitsu, MMA & Boxing

AKA (American Kickboxing Academy) - Muay Thai, Taekwondo, Jiu-Jitsu, MMA & Boxing comes up as a beginner-friendly gym — noted on their own site. If you've never rolled or set foot on a mat, that's exactly who a good beginners program is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or flexible to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the intensity to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard rolling — reputable gyms build fundamentals (positions, escapes, and basic submissions) for weeks, live rolling eases in gradually, and tapping early keeps every roll safe. Third, all levels really are welcome — ask about a dedicated beginners or fundamentals class time so your first session is alongside others who are also starting out, and leave your ego at the door. Most gyms are happy to let you watch or try a class first, so reach out before you commit.

See their beginner class info

Your first BJJ class at AKA (American Kickboxing Academy) - Muay Thai, Taekwondo, Jiu-Jitsu, MMA & Boxing

Nervous about walking into a BJJ gym for the first time? Almost everyone is, and good coaches expect beginners to come through the door. Here's what to know. What to expect: a typical first class is a warm-up, then drilling basic positions and escapes with a partner — not hard sparring. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: athletic wear you can move in (or a gi if you have one); you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and a mouthguard if you have one — many gyms lend a loaner gi for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gi (or a rashguard and shorts for no-gi) and a mouthguard. Live rolling eases in gradually, once your fundamentals are solid. Arrive 10–15 minutes early to sign a waiver and meet the coach. It gets easier fast — most people feel far more at home by their third class.

BJJ is a contact sport. Ease in, tap early and often, listen to your coaches, and if you have any injuries or health concerns, mention them before class and check with a doctor if you're unsure.

Where to find AKA (American Kickboxing Academy) - Muay Thai, Taekwondo, Jiu-Jitsu, MMA & Boxing

937 Otay Lakes Rd, Chula Vista, CA91913

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Listing verified July 2026 from public business records and member reviews. Something out of date? Report a correction. Own this gym? Claim your listing — it's free.