Led by founder Karen Darabedyan — WEC veteran. Our coaches don't teach techniques they haven't pressure-tested at the highest level.
Pro record 14–6 across WEC, Strikeforce and the California regional scene — with wins over Tony Ferguson and Rob McCullough. A Hayastan MMA Academy product under Gokor Chivichyan, Karen trained alongside Ronda Rousey, Gegard Mousasi, Karo Parisyan and Manny Gamburyan. Today he leads KD MMA across all three academies.
Professional MMA fighter who has competed on the sport's biggest stages — a veteran of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF 12) and Bellator. Leads MMA, wrestling and striking at KD MMA Montrose.
Head boxing coach blending technical striking with strength and conditioning — drilling the fundamentals that carry into every discipline at KD MMA Montrose.
BJJ 1st-degree black belt — and Karen Darabedyan's first-ever black belt. Has trained with legends of the game including Marcelo Garcia, Ronaldo "Jacaré" Souza, Felipe Pena, Romulo Barral, Rigan Machado, and Craig Jones. A performer with the Furious Styles Crew, he brings precision, creativity, and a hard-work, stay-humble ethic to KD MMA's jiu-jitsu program.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and grappling coach at KD MMA Northridge, drilling gi and no-gi fundamentals with the squad.
UNF Flyweight Champion with a 7–1 pro record and seven finishes — a pressure-forward finisher representing KD MMA Northridge on the regional circuit.
Lifelong martial artist who started in Kajukenbo (Hawaiian Kenpo) at nine and cross-trained in boxing and judo. Trained Muay Thai under Kru Santi and Kru David at Muay Thai America Gym, and now coaches kickboxing and Muay Thai at KD MMA Glendale.
Freestyle wrestling coach and professional MMA fighter with 19 years in combat sports, including 10 years competing and coaching in freestyle wrestling. Coaches wrestling at KD MMA Glendale.
MMA fighter and lifelong martial artist with a deep multi-discipline base — five years of wrestling, five years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, plus kickboxing and boxing. Has coached at KD MMA Montrose for two years, building technical skill, confidence, and discipline.
BJJ purple belt and NASM-certified personal trainer & nutrition coach. Has coached jiu-jitsu at KD MMA Glendale since 2025, with tournament wins across NAGA, AGF, Grappling X, and NABJJF.
Professional MMA fighter, Ukrainian champion in Muay Thai and MMA, and a world karate champion, with five years of coaching experience. Coaches kickboxing at KD MMA Glendale and Northridge.
Professional Muay Thai fighter with 17 years in the sport — a multiple-time amateur champion and Lion Fight world titleholder, with a pro boxing career on major stages. Coaches Muay Thai and kickboxing at KD MMA Northridge.
NASM-certified personal trainer with over 14 years coaching martial arts — including 10 years of boxing, 6 of Muay Thai and 5 of judo. Coaches kickboxing at KD MMA Montrose, working with everyone from first-timers learning the fundamentals to amateur and pro fighters preparing for competition.
Training in martial arts since age five — a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt and Taekwondo black belt with a strong tournament record. Has coached jiu-jitsu at KD MMA Glendale since 2023.
A professional light heavyweight who shared the ring with the world’s best, including a world-title fight against Sergey Kovalev. Behind the pro career is a decorated amateur pedigree: two-time kickboxing World Champion, European Champion, and a multiple-time champion of Ukraine in boxing and kickboxing. He now brings that championship experience to the boxing program at KD MMA Glendale. Wikipedia →
A lifetime in the sweet science. Fred grew up in a boxing family, first put the gloves on at seven and was competing by eight, taking his lead from his brother Pepe Reilly — a 1992 Olympian. He has been a cornerstone of the coaching staff at KD MMA Montrose since the academy opened nearly three years ago.
His approach runs wider than technical boxing: strength training, HIIT, competitive running, and yoga and mobility work — building well-rounded, resilient athletes at every level.
Former professional boxer with over 10 years of coaching experience, having trained alongside world-class fighters. Mike brings elite-level boxing knowledge, discipline, and intensity to every class at KD MMA Montrose — helping beginners and experienced athletes alike get stronger, sharper, and more confident, one round at a time.
Every class opens with a two-minute character lesson — one theme a week, all year long. This is the screen our coaches teach it from.