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Lycan's Den MMA & Jiu Jitsu
5 ★★★★★ 126 Google reviews · Muay thai 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 muay thai classes — built around discipline, focus, and confidence
- Fitness & conditioning muay thai fitness and cardio classes — a serious workout you can do without ever having to spar
- 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 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
“I came in as a total beginner with no experience and felt welcomed right away.”
“He loves the kids and the adults and you can see his passion in the way he coaches.”
“This means the instruction is of high quality, and the rolls/sparring sessions are intense.”
“With just a couple of months training, my girls competed for a life time experience.”
“Whether your goal is fitness, self-defense, or competition, Lycan’s Den provides the perfect environment to achieve it.”
“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.”
Other martial arts here
“) Availability and classes: several sessions/day for 6 days/week in BJJ, Muay Thai, MMA, and Kickboxing.”
“I’ve been wanting to get back into a combat sport for a while, and several friends recommended Lycan’s for jiu-jitsu.”
“If you’re looking for a place to train Jiu Jitsu and/or other mixed martial arts this is absolutely your place.”
What members say
“Coaches were incredibly knowledgeable, patient, and genuinely invested in helping everyone improve, no matter their experience level.”
“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.
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.
Been training with James and Co. for the past 3 years, and I believe they are the best choice in CU for several reasons: 1.) James, the coaching staff, and the higher level belts here are the toughest competitors in town. This means the instruction is of high quality, and the rolls/sparring sessions are intense. 2.
New to muay thai? 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 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.
Your first muay thai class at Lycan's Den MMA & 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.
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