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KD MMA Mixed Martial Arts Academy

5 ★★★★★ 38 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Glendale, California

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens

Plan your first class

  • Free trial or intro class most gyms welcome new members with a free trial or intro class — check their site or give them a call to book your first session
  • 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 — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Open mat open-mat rolling sessions for members to practice live — always optional and at your own pace
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule kdmma.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (747) 231-5550

Hours

Monday 9 AM–10 PM
Tuesday 9 AM–10 PM
Wednesday 9 AM–10 PM
Thursday 9 AM–10 PM
Friday 9 AM–10 PM
Saturday 11 AM–1 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 KD MMA Mixed Martial Arts Academy, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids BJJ 2 mentions

“The space is great for kids, with plenty of room to train comfortably.”

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🔓 Open Mat

“This gym is very friendly to new comers (like me) but they also have advanced classes and open mats on Saturdays.”

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🌱 Beginners 5 mentions

“The dojo's students are tough but friendly and accepting of all levels of new students.”

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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 KD MMA Mixed Martial Arts Academy — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🏟️ MMA 8 mentions

“Karen is a fantastic teacher, one of the best grapplers in the world, and an accomplished mixed martial arts fighter who has been on the biggest stage UFC/WEC.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🥊 Boxing 3 mentions

“If you need Boxing, Kickboxing, Wrestling, Judo, Grappling, or Jiu-Jitsu, this is the place for you!”

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🦵 Kickboxing 2 mentions

“If you need Boxing, Kickboxing, Wrestling, Judo, Grappling, or Jiu-Jitsu, this is the place for you!”

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🤼 Judo

“If you need Boxing, Kickboxing, Wrestling, Judo, Grappling, or Jiu-Jitsu, this is the place for you!”

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🤸 Wrestling 2 mentions

“If you need Boxing, Kickboxing, Wrestling, Judo, Grappling, or Jiu-Jitsu, this is the place for you!”

Other gyms that also teach wrestling →

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 38 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 5 mentions

“A accomplished grappler and amazing instructor.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 8 mentions

“This gym is very friendly to new comers (like me) but they also have advanced classes and open mats on Saturdays.”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 5 mentions

“Very friendly and respectful environment, really clean, professional coaches.”

🧠 builds confidence & discipline 2 mentions

“I really appreciate the strong focus on discipline, respect, and consistency.”

From the reviews

Karen is a fantastic teacher, one of the best grapplers in the world, and an accomplished mixed martial arts fighter who has been on the biggest stage UFC/WEC. Go to get in the best shape of your life, go to learn martial arts.

★★★★★ — Ara, Oct 2018

KDMMA is an MMA dojo founded by Karen Darabedyan, an elite fighter and grappler. His technical knowledge of submission holds is probably in the top 1 % in the world. The dojo's students are tough but friendly and accepting of all levels of new students. Highly recommended!

★★★★★ — Mclarty, Feb 2019

Just started taking classes here and I have to say I love this place. This gym is amazing. Brand new beautiful place to train. On top of that, Karen is one of the best teachers I have ever met. A accomplished grappler and amazing instructor. He is the real reason you should go here. He is patient and very knowledgable.

★★★★★ — Mauricio, Dec 2018

Wow! I can't believe it took me this long to come visit KDMMA. Karen is an absolute legendary fighter and the perfect coach. He is dedicated to giving all of his knowledge to you to be your best. Hard to find a Person/Coach like Karen.

★★★★★ — Dream, Oct 2022

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 38 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at KD MMA Mixed Martial Arts Academy

KD MMA Mixed Martial Arts Academy comes up as a beginner-friendly gym, going by their listing and members’ reviews. 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first BJJ class at KD MMA Mixed Martial Arts Academy

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 KD MMA Mixed Martial Arts Academy

555 Riverdale Dr # C, Glendale, CA91204

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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.