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Kihon MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

4.8 ★★★★★ 81 Google reviews · Muay thai gym in Desert Hot Springs, California

Kids & teens Private lessons Fight team

Plan your first class

  • Kids & youth classes kids and youth muay thai classes (ages 4–65) — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
  • Women's classes dedicated women's muay thai classes — a welcoming space to train and start out in
  • 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
  • Sparring & clinch sparring and clinch sessions for members ready for controlled contact — always optional and coach-supervised
  • Fight team a competition team for members who want to test themselves as amateur fighters
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule kihonmmaca.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 760-272-0019

Hours

Monday 8:30 am–8:40 pm
Tuesday 8:30 am–8:40 pm
Wednesday 8:30 am–8:40 pm
Thursday 8:30 am–8:40 pm
Friday 8:30 am–8:40 pm
Saturday Closed
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 Kihon MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Muay Thai 27 mentions

“Instructor Eddie/Sensei has not only made a significant impact on my sons' lives but has also taught them valuable skills in handling complaints with strong mental resilience.”

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👤 Private Lessons

“Found Kihon MMA and started private lessons/sparring with Sensei Eddie This has been awesome.”

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🥊 Sparring 2 mentions

“Found Kihon MMA and started private lessons/sparring with Sensei Eddie This has been awesome.”

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🏆 Fight Team

“Our son recently competed in his first tournament, and we couldn’t be more proud of how prepared and supported he was.”

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📘 Fundamentals 2 mentions

“His depth of martial arts knowledge and technical skill is immediately evident, whether he’s teaching striking, grappling, fundamentals, or advanced techniques.”

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Other martial arts here

Muay thai gyms are usually multi-discipline. Here's what else members mention training under the same roof at Kihon MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — mined from their reviews and the gym's own info.

🦵 Kickboxing

“He offers karate, Brazilian jiu jitsu and kickboxing Ages 4 & up.”

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🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ) 4 mentions

“His depth of martial arts knowledge and technical skill is immediately evident, whether he’s teaching striking, grappling, fundamentals, or advanced techniques.”

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🏟️ MMA 8 mentions

“We’ve been taking our son to Kihon MMA & Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for almost a year now, and the experience has been amazing.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🎽 Karate

“He offers karate, Brazilian jiu jitsu and kickboxing Ages 4 & up.”

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 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 81 Google reviews — in their own words.

🧑‍🏫 expert, authentic coaching 2 mentions

“Sensei Eddie is the best instructor and has so much patience with the kids, I can tell he really enjoys teaching them!”

🤝 no-ego, friendly gym 9 mentions

“Off the mat and outside the dojo, he is approachable, humble, and genuinely cares about his students’ growth—not just as martial artists, but as people.”

📘 real technique & fundamentals 9 mentions

“His depth of martial arts knowledge and technical skill is immediately evident, whether he’s teaching striking, grappling, fundamentals, or advanced techniques.”

🔥 killer workout & conditioning 3 mentions

“His attention to proper technique, conditioning, and mental toughness sets Kihon MMA apart from other gyms.”

🧒 strong kids program 3 mentions

“I’ve seen a big improvement in my son’s confidence, focus and discipline since he joined.”

🥊 legit sparring & fight team 4 mentions

“Our son recently competed in his first tournament, and we couldn’t be more proud of how prepared and supported he was.”

From the reviews

Kihon MMA is a great place to learn martial arts. Every class they run drills and practice different techniques until they have it down. Sensei Eddie Bates is not only a great teacher but a mentor for the kids as well. Teaching them more than martial arts, he also teaches them life values and lessons.

★★★★★ — Miguel, Feb 2024

I'm relatively new to Muay Thai having gone to occasional group classes in San Francisco. Loved it. When I moved to Palm Springs I thought I'd have to give it up since I didn't know about anyone here teaching Muay Thai. Found Kihon MMA and started private lessons/sparring with Sensei Eddie This has been awesome.

★★★★★ — Tony, Jan 2023

Good mixture of technique on several martial arts, cardio, strength and fun. Each day is different and that keeps it interesting and lively. New students are welcomed in and not made to feel like outsiders. Great place to train for a future in the sport or as a family.

★★★★★ — Chris, Oct 2021

Absolutely impressed with this training facility. Instructor Eddie/Sensei has not only made a significant impact on my sons' lives but has also taught them valuable skills in handling complaints with strong mental resilience.

★★★★★ — Cassandra, Jan 2024

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 81 reviews →

Your first muay thai class at Kihon MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

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 Kihon MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

12580 Palm Dr, Desert Hot Springs, CA92240

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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.