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Koulikov Grappling Academy

5 ★★★★★ 194 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Edinburg, Texas

BJJ gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons No-gi Competition team

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
  • Private lessons private, one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • 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 sambofusion.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone (845) 421-8809

Hours

Monday 9 AM–8:30 PM
Tuesday 9 AM–8:30 PM
Wednesday 9 AM–8:30 PM
Thursday 9 AM–8:30 PM
Friday 9 AM–8:30 PM
Saturday 10–11:30 AM
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 Koulikov Grappling Academy, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

📘 Fundamentals 2 mentions

“They have the greatest patience in the world to teach the basics of jiujitsu to anyone, even with their program for 3-year-olds they are incredible.”

All gyms that run fundamentals →

🧒 Kids BJJ 6 mentions

“The facility is extremely clean and welcoming to toddlers, children and adults.”

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🩳 No-Gi

“Good mix of Gi and NoGi for BJJ.”

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🥋 Gi

“Good mix of Gi and NoGi for BJJ.”

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👤 Private Lessons 2 mentions

“We’ve taken a couple of private classes with a group of friends, and we always leave with techniques we can apply right away.”

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🛡️ Self-Defense

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🌱 Beginners 4 mentions

“I encourage anyone from beginner to expert to stop in and join this terrific squad of people!”

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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 Koulikov Grappling Academy — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🦵 Kickboxing

“They offer BJJ, Sambo, and kickboxing classes.”

Other gyms that also teach kickboxing →

🤼 Judo 5 mentions

“Vlad Koulikov is an expert instructor in Sambo, Judo, and Jiu Jitsu.”

Other gyms that also teach judo →

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 194 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, high-level coaching 4 mentions

“Infact My family and I are currently planning a trip to Texas to KGA for the spring just to go visit professor. Vlad isn't only a great teacher but a much loved friend ❤️”

🌱 welcoming to beginners 8 mentions

“The Koulikov Academy is a welcoming place for everyone from the newest student to the seasoned grappler!”

🤝 no-ego, friendly academy 6 mentions

“Infact My family and I are currently planning a trip to Texas to KGA for the spring just to go visit professor.”

📘 strong technique & fundamentals 12 mentions

“They have the greatest patience in the world to teach the basics of jiujitsu to anyone, even with their program for 3-year-olds they are incredible.”

active competition team 4 mentions

“He teaches competition tested techniques that I have employed to great success and passed on to others (like the V1!”

🧼 clean, well-kept mats 4 mentions

“The facility is extremely clean and welcoming to toddlers, children and adults.”

From the reviews

I will start by saying that this is an academy based on discipline and talent. Coach Lori, Coach Nick and Coach Vlad have extensive experience in what they do, they will always welcome you and make you feel part of the team, each one of the coaches take the right time to make your time with them worthwhile.

★★★★★ — Eli, Jul 2023

WOW, Vlad Koulikov is a phenominal instructor who has a gift for making learning grappling fun and easy. The facility is extremely clean and welcoming to toddlers, children and adults. Having trained in different martial arts, it is important to keep learning fresh and fun.

★★★★★ — Jeff, Feb 2018

I’ve had the opportunity to train at Vlad’s school a few different times for seminars and when I’ve been traveling to the area and able to stop in. Vlad is that rare coach who is not only talented with the art he’s practicing, he’s a gifted teacher as well.

★★★★★ — Stan, Dec 2025

This is the best school I’ve been to in the whole RGV no one knows jiujitsu judo or wrestling like professor Vlad does and also the community is so respectful with each other I love my KGA teammates ❤️

★★★★★ — Lily, Feb 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 194 reviews →

New to BJJ? Start at Koulikov Grappling Academy

Koulikov Grappling 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 Koulikov Grappling 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 Koulikov Grappling Academy

2001 W Trenton Rd Ste 104-105, Edinburg, TX78539

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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.