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KD MMA Mixed Martial Arts Academy

5 ★★★★★ 38 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Glendale, California

Muay Thai gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Fight 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 muay thai classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Fight team a competition team for members who want to test themselves as amateur fighters
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule kdmma.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 747-231-5550

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

Muay thai 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.

🌱 Beginner Muay Thai 3 mentions

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

All gyms that run beginner muay thai →

🧒 Kids Muay Thai 2 mentions

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

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🏆 Fight Team 3 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.”

All gyms that run fight team →

Other martial arts here

Muay thai 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.

🦵 Kickboxing 2 mentions

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

Other gyms that also teach kickboxing →

🥊 Boxing 3 mentions

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

Other gyms that also teach boxing →

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) 4 mentions

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

Other gyms that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu (bjj) →

🏟️ 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 →

🤼 Judo

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

Other gyms that also teach judo →

🤸 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 BJJ, boxing, or MMA alongside muay thai, 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, authentic coaching 6 mentions

“A accomplished grappler and amazing instructor.”

🤝 no-ego, friendly gym 8 mentions

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

🥊 legit sparring & fight team 3 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.”

🧼 clean, well-equipped gym 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 muay thai? 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 thrown a punch or a kick, 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 to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale the conditioning to you. Second, you won't be thrown into sparring — reputable gyms build fundamentals (stance, footwork, and the basic strikes of the "art of eight limbs") for weeks before any contact, and sparring stays optional. 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. 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 muay thai class at KD MMA Mixed Martial Arts Academy

Nervous about walking into a muay thai 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 the basics on pads and bags — not fighting. Rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: shorts or athletic wear and a t-shirt; you'll train barefoot on the mats. What to bring: water and hand wraps if you have them — many gyms lend gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves, wraps, a mouthguard, and shin guards. Sparring is optional and comes later, 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.

Muay thai is a contact sport. Ease in, 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.