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Reaction MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

4.9 ★★★★★ 145 Google reviews · Kickboxing gym in Nicholasville, Kentucky

Kickboxing gym Free trial Beginners welcome Kids & teens Private lessons Competition team

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 fitness levels welcome, including total beginners — no experience needed, and you get in shape by training, not before
  • Kids & teen classes kids and teen kickboxing classes — built around confidence, focus, and fun
  • Private lessons one-on-one coaching available — a focused way to start or to work around a busy schedule; ask about availability and rates
  • Competition team a competition team for members who want to test themselves in the ring — amateur kickboxing, muay thai, or K-1
  • Today see hours ·
  • Website & schedule reactionmma.com — book classes and see the live schedule
  • Phone +1 859-913-2013

Hours

Monday 11 am–9:30 pm
Tuesday 3–9:30 pm
Wednesday 11 am–9:30 pm
Thursday 3–9:30 pm
Friday 7 am–8 pm
Saturday 10 am–1:30 pm
Sunday 1:30–2:30 pm

Hours shift for holidays and class-schedule changes — worth a quick check before a special trip.

The classes they run

Kickboxing classes on the schedule at Reaction MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, confirmed in members' own reviews and the gym's own info — not guessed from the sign out front.

🧒 Kids Kickboxing 8 mentions

“He specifically leads the adult BJJ and boxing classes, as well the kids classes from what I have seen.”

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🌱 Beginners 10 mentions

“I am not gifted athletically and I have never trained in any martial art, so starting something like this in my upper 40s was intimidating.”

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🏆 Competition Team 3 mentions

“Whether you’re a hobbyist or competitor it is a great place to train at.”

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🦵 Muay Thai

“Grant and Logan run the kickboxing / Muay Thai classes and are extremely well versed in the sport.”

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🥊 Boxing 3 mentions

“Reaction is by far the best gym to work on yourself and develop your abilities with bjj, muy thai, and boxing.”

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👤 Private Lessons

“They are both great teachers and offer private lessons at an affordable price.”

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Other martial arts here

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

🦵 Muay Thai

“Grant and Logan run the kickboxing / Muay Thai classes and are extremely well versed in the sport.”

Other gyms that also teach muay thai →

🥊 Boxing 3 mentions

“Reaction is by far the best gym to work on yourself and develop your abilities with bjj, muy thai, and boxing.”

Other gyms that also teach boxing →

🏟️ MMA 11 mentions

“Reaction MMA is an great place to start breaking down your walls and fighting those inner and outer fears.”

Other gyms that also teach mma →

🥋 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu 18 mentions

“You will be taught not only how to be a better fighter and grappler but more importantly discipline, consistency, confidence, and mental fortitude.”

Other gyms that also teach brazilian jiu-jitsu →

🛡️ Self-Defense 3 mentions

“Regarding the instruction, it is a mixture of skills and concepts that work as proper self-defense training as well as sport Jiu Jitsu.”

Other gyms that also teach self-defense →

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 muay thai, boxing, or MMA alongside your kickboxing, confirm the current schedule with the gym.

What members say

The things reviewers bring up again and again across 145 Google reviews — in their own words.

🌱 welcoming to beginners 13 mentions

“Professor Rob is a first class human and it reflects through all of the guys and girls who are a part of this community.”

🏆 active competition / fight team 2 mentions

“The Jiu Jitsu and Striking programs are both structured to teach students effective fundamentals for self defense and competition.”

🧼 clean, well-equipped gym 3 mentions

“As a visiting student, Reaction was a really nice gym to get in some rolls & instruction time.”

🧠 builds confidence & relieves stress 2 mentions

“You will be taught not only how to be a better fighter and grappler but more importantly discipline, consistency, confidence, and mental fortitude.”

🤝 friendly, family gym 11 mentions

“Everyone here are friendly and willing to help whenever you have any questions or need help with something.”

From the reviews

Reaction MMA is a great place to train at. Whether you’re a hobbyist or competitor it is a great place to train at. Professor Nickerson and the rest of the coaching staff are all exceptional.

★★★★★ — Markel, Feb 2025

We have had the best experience! Just becoming a part of the reaction family has done wonders for my own mental health. My kids love their own juijitsu classes there. They've improved with their social skills, physical endurance, and mental strength. We live in a beautiful world..but it can get pretty nasty.

★★★★★ — Tabitha, Mar 2025

A long-time friend of mine tried to convince me to come to a Jiu Jitsu class for a couple of years. Every time we would get together, his time updating me would also center around how much he enjoyed the sport and the school.

★★★★★ — James, Mar 2023

Joining this gym has been one of the best decisions I have made. No better option in Kentucky whether you are looking for a new hobby, fitness challenge, or are interested in competing. Professor Rob is a first class human and it reflects through all of the guys and girls who are a part of this community.

★★★★★ — Gavin, Feb 2025

Excerpts from public Google reviews. Read all 145 reviews →

New to kickboxing? Start at Reaction MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Reaction MMA and Brazilian 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 class is for. A few things worth knowing before your first week. First, you don't need to be fit or coordinated to start — you get in shape by training, not before it, and coaches scale every drill to you. Second, you won't be thrown into hard sparring — reputable gyms build the basics (stance, footwork, and punches and kicks on pads and bags) first, and any contact eases in gradually under a coach's control. Third, all fitness 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.

Check beginner classes on their site

Your first kickboxing class at Reaction MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Nervous about walking into a kickboxing 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 — stance, footwork, and punches and kicks on pads or a heavy bag — not hard sparring. Go at your own pace and rest whenever you need to; no one will bat an eye. What to wear: comfortable athletic clothes you can move and sweat in, and supportive trainers. What to bring: water, and hand wraps and gloves if you have them — many gyms lend loaner gloves for a first class, so it's worth asking when you call. As you keep training you'll add your own gloves and wraps (and shin guards once you start sparring). Sparring is optional and eases in gradually, once your basics 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.

Kickboxing is a contact sport. Warm up, pace yourself, 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 Reaction MMA and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

150 Zoe Rd, Nicholasville, KY40356

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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.