Home › Illinois › Urbana › Lycan's Den MMA & Jiu Jitsu
Lycan's Den MMA & Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 126 Google reviews · BJJ gym in Urbana, Illinois
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
- Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves at tournaments
- Today see hours ·
- Website & schedule mysite.vagaro.com — book classes and see the live schedule
- Phone +1 217-550-3877
Hours
| Monday | 9:30 am–12:30 pm, 5–9 pm |
| Tuesday | 7–9 am, 5–9 pm |
| Wednesday | 5–9 pm |
| Thursday | 7–9 am, 5–9 pm |
| Friday | 9:30 am–12:30 pm, 5–9 pm |
| Saturday | 10 am–2 pm |
| Sunday | Closed |
The classes they run
“He loves the kids and the adults and you can see his passion in the way he coaches.”
“) James, the coaching staff, and the higher level belts here are the toughest competitors in town.”
“Whether your goal is fitness, self-defense, or competition, Lycan’s Den provides the perfect environment to achieve it.”
“I came in as a total beginner with no experience and felt welcomed right away.”
Other martial arts here
“On top of learning Muay Thai, it’s also a great workout and the atmosphere is so positive—everyone seems to want everyone else to get better and feel welcomed.”
“If you’re looking for a place to train Jiu Jitsu and/or other mixed martial arts this is absolutely your place.”
“) Availability and classes: several sessions/day for 6 days/week in BJJ, Muay Thai, MMA, and Kickboxing.”
What members say
“The head coach James is amazing and really nice.”
“Lycan’s Den MMA & Jiu Jitsu is an outstanding gym with a welcoming and professional atmosphere.”
“Lycan’s Den MMA & Jiu Jitsu is an outstanding gym with a welcoming and professional atmosphere.”
“On top of learning Muay Thai, it’s also a great workout and the atmosphere is so positive—everyone seems to want everyone else to get better and feel welcomed.”
“The kids love coming to BJJ and MMA, and the coaches are fantastic.”
From the reviews
For all of you out there looking for a beyond phenomenal jiu jitsu coach, this is the place to be! Coach James brings an energy to the room that is just electrifying! He loves the kids and the adults and you can see his passion in the way he coaches.
Lycans Den is our second home. Our professors are amazing with children. My 8yr old has gained confidence, self control, and focus. He has made many new friends and we are treated like family. We love it there!!!!
I was recommended this gym by a friend who spoke very well of the culture and level of training she received at a Lycan’s Den. I’ve been attending regularly for about 4 months and I couldn’t ask for a better training experience. It has been very rewarding.
If you’re looking for a place to train Jiu Jitsu and/or other mixed martial arts this is absolutely your place. The coaches are amazing, the atmosphere is amazing and you feel like you’re part of a family.
New to BJJ? Start at Lycan's Den MMA & Jiu Jitsu
Lycan's Den MMA & Jiu Jitsu 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.
Your first BJJ class at Lycan's Den MMA & Jiu Jitsu
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.
More BJJ gyms near Urbana
Gracie Barra Champaign
4.9 ★★★★★ 115 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
CU Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 105 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site
Parallel jiu jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 24 reviews
🥋 Free trial / intro class — check their site