> American Kickboxing Academy

The American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) is one of the world’s most decorated MMA training camps, based in San Jose, California. Founded in 1985, AKA is one of the pioneering institutions of mixed martial arts as a professional discipline. Head coach Javier Mendez has overseen an unprecedented lineage of champions, most notably Khabib Nurmagomedov (undefeated UFC Lightweight Champion), Daniel Cormier (UFC dual champion at heavyweight and light heavyweight), Islam Makhachev (UFC Lightweight and Welterweight champion), Cain Velasquez (two-time UFC Heavyweight Champion), and Luke Rockhold (UFC Middleweight Champion). AKA expanded internationally by opening AKA Thailand in Phuket in 2014. The gym was named Gym of the Year by MMAJunkie in 2015 and by CombatPress in 2018. AKA is widely regarded as one of the most successful combat sports training programs in history.