Start with whatever excites you most! Here is a general description of each art:

- BJJ: ground fighting, leverage, self-defense against larger opponents

- Kickboxing: striking, fitness, stand-up confidence

- MMA: full integration of everything

All use our live, resistant training—no dead drills. Many adults cross-train once comfortable.

Yes—our focus on real adaptability and problem-solving under pressure makes it highly effective. We teach principles (balance, leverage, timing) that work in chaos, not scripted moves. BJJ is especially strong for close-range control; Kickboxing/MMA add stand-up tools. But the biggest self-defense skill is mental sovereignty—staying calm when it matters.

In addition, when most people think of "self-defense" they think of a dark alley, a bad person threatening you harm, and some movie highlight-reel death move that defeats them. Over our 27 year history, self-defense often looks like an uncle that got a little too tipsy, a loved one that is incensed and loses control over themselves, and your friend who thinks "one more bar" is a good idea. In those situations, gouging their eyes out, kicking them in the groin, and stomping on their face once they're down isn't the best idea. Self-defense is a spectrum.

The "domestic" issues we described above (plus the more challenging ones everyone knows about but no one wants to talk about) don't call for keys-in-the-hand, kick-to-the-groin, and screaming "That's my purse! I don't know you!" You want to be able to guide them, gently with underhooks and postural alignment to a more neutral place. You want to control them enough to keep them from hurting you, but also from hurting themself, you want to show that you care and keep yourself safe, while keeping them safe as well. KMAA is built to handle these "self-defense" situations as well.

Now, if you find yourself in a dark alley, with a bad person threatening you harm... KMAA has handled those situations extremely well also. It won't be fancy, but it will get messy and the most important thing is you'll be able to leave alive.

Also, stay out of dark alleys and be aware of who is around you.

Make better life choices there homie.

Our Kickboxing is MMA-based, not sport-specific kickboxing or pure Muay Thai competition style. It’s built for the street and for MMA, so we have to account for takedowns, shots, clinch work, and transitions—things most traditional kickboxing/Muay Thai gyms don’t even consider.

Yes, our stance is a little wider. Yes, we keep a longer distance than some styles. But we also train to defend against being taken down, to sprawl, to control posture, and to fight from every range. We use Constraints-Led Approach so you understand the "why" behind every strike, kick, and clinch—not just how to copy it. If you want pure Muay Thai ruleset or point-kickboxing, we’re not that gym. If you want striking that actually works in real chaos (self-defense or MMA), this is it.

"Good" isn't something you buy, download, or discard after a few months. It's not a destination—it's the ongoing process of becoming someone who has their life together.

Training at KMAA is an investment in yourself, not a service you purchase. One of my heroes, Genki Sudo, said it best:

"We train in 3 dimensions (H-L-W; the mats), to live in 4 dimensions (the 4th dimension being time)."

You will be able to handle yourself against the majority of the world's populace in about a year of consistent training (2–3 sessions per week). In around 180 days (roughly 6 months), most students feel real competence and sovereignty on the mats—enough to move with calm under pressure and make smart decisions in chaos.

But far more important than "are you skilled" is who you are becoming through the process. The discipline of showing up, pushing your edge, tapping when you need to, helping your partner, and staying coachable on the mats carries over directly to every off-mat area of your life: your work ethic, your relationships, your ability to handle stress, your integrity when no one is watching. That is the real transformation. That is the 4th dimension.

The cheapest gym is cheap for a reason—low standards, no depth, no real change. At KMAA we are not the cheapest, because we are not selling a product. We are offering a path to becoming the type of person you've always wanted to be: resilient, focused, emotionally regulated, and capable of standing in any storm with grace.

There is no shortcut. But if you commit to the Process—not just the Outcome—you'll look back in a year and realize the person staring back in the mirror is someone you deeply respect. If you get the privilege to train with us you'll hear this a LOT:

"Hold the Vision, trust the Process."

Yes. We’ve produced more high-level talent than all the other gyms in Tennessee combined—fighters in the UFC, Bellator, Invicta, PFL, and regional circuits. We don’t just “train fighters”—we develop athletes from zero to the highest levels. Our Constraints-Led Approach and KMAA Process (built from analyzing thousands of fights) give you the tools to win under real pressure. If you want to compete, we’ll build a personalized roadmap, intensify training, and hold you accountable. But competition is optional—many students train for life, not the cage.

Absolutely. We’ve done it before—from managing an athlete from nothing to a UFC title fight (Ovince Saint Preux is proof). We 100% can get you there if you have the work ethic, consistency, and coachability. It starts with mastering fundamentals through our CLA method, then building fight IQ with live, resistant training and KMAA Process data. We’ll intensify your program, get you in front of the right matchmakers, and support you every step. But it’s not easy—it’s earned. If you’re serious, book your trial and prove it on the mats.

As you walk down the hallway and see the KMAA "Hall of Fame" there' no reason you can't be on it. Every one of those people started out "bad." Every one. Every single one of them had a first day. The trick is, they never had a "last day" and that made all the difference.

Safer than most people think, and far safer than doing nothing. BJJ and MMA are contact sports, so minor bumps and bruises happen—but serious injuries are uncommon when training is smart. We use progressive resistance, live games, and our CLA method to teach you how to move efficiently and protect yourself under pressure. Tap early and often, communicate limitations, and we scale everything. Our oldest member is 76, Coach Eric started post-strokes, and we’ve never had a catastrophic injury in 27 years. The real risk? Sitting on the couch and letting life’s chaos catch you unprepared. Training here builds the physical and mental tools to stay safe in the real world.

If you're concerned that our MMA program will just be "Fight Club" and on your first day, "you have to fight." We don't do that. We are polite, we are professional, we have a syllabus that has worked in the past, is working now, and will continue to work in the future. We know what works and what doesn't. We've built systems for everything. We will happily teach you how to stand and move your feet right next to someone preparing for the biggest fight of their life.