# American Elite Grappling (AEG)

> San Jose, United States

## Overview

**Name:** American Elite Grappling (AEG)

**Description:** American Elite Grappling (AEG) is the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu program based at the legendary American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose, California. Founded in 1985 by world champion kickboxer Javier Mendez, AKA has been the premier Mixed Martial Arts gym in the Bay Area for over three decades and is widely recognized as one of the best MMA gyms in the world, having trained numerous UFC champions.

AEG was created by Ron Keslar, who serves as head instructor of American Elite Grappling and as an AKA coach. Ron is a 2nd degree black belt under Leandro Vieira and began his grappling career in grade school with wrestling. He previously competed as a professional MMA fighter in Bellator, Strikeforce, and King of the Cage before transitioning to coaching. American Elite Grappling offers one of the most well-rounded Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and grappling programs in the United States, with over 20 gi and no-gi classes offered weekly for kids and adults, focusing on technique, fundamentals, and competition training.

While AKA is known for champion-level fighters, at its core it is a family-friendly gym that caters to everyone from beginners age 4 to 65+, to those aspiring to train and compete at any level. The gym offers professional instruction in kickboxing, boxing, Muay Thai, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, wrestling, and MMA. AKA has been voted Best of Silicon Valley since 1985 and continues to focus on quality instruction and teaching solid technique across all martial arts disciplines.

**Status:** Active

## Contact Information

**Address:**
7012 Realm Drive
San Jose, CA 95119, United States

**Phone:** 408-225-9000

**Email:** info@americankickboxingacademy.com

**Website:** https://www.americankickboxingacademy.com

**Social Media:**
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/americankickboxingacademy/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AKA-Gym-195519367157909/
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5tVI0uWCxEMFUGcoQiYXEg

## Hours of Operation

- Monday: 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- Tuesday: 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- Wednesday: 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- Thursday: 3:00 PM - 9:00 PM
- Friday: 3:00 PM - 8:00 PM
- Saturday: Closed
- Sunday: Closed
## Pricing

## Facilities & Amenities

Kickboxing
## Instructors


### Ron Keslar - Black

**Role:** Head Instructor

**Bio:** Head instructor of American Elite Grappling and coach at American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, California. Ron is a 2nd degree black belt under Leandro Vieira and began his grappling career in grade school with wrestling. He previously competed as a professional MMA fighter in Bellator, Strikeforce, and King of the Cage before transitioning to coaching and instruction.


## Programs

### Adult BJJ - All Levels

**Skill Level:** All Levels

**Age Group:** adults

**Gi Requirement:** Gi required

**Description:** Gi-based Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu classes for all skill levels, taught by Coach Ron Keslar

**Classes:**

### Adult No-Gi - All Levels

**Skill Level:** All Levels

**Age Group:** adults

**Gi Requirement:** No-Gi

**Description:** No-gi grappling classes for all skill levels, focusing on submission grappling without the gi

### BJJ Fundamentals - Beginner

**Skill Level:** Beginner

**Age Group:** adults

**Gi Requirement:** Gi required

**Description:** Beginner-friendly gi BJJ program focusing on core techniques and fundamentals

**Classes:**

### No-Gi Fundamentals - Beginner

**Skill Level:** Beginner

**Age Group:** adults

**Gi Requirement:** No-Gi

**Description:** Beginner-friendly no-gi grappling program focusing on core techniques

**Classes:**

### BJJ Advanced - Blue Belt & Higher

**Skill Level:** Advanced

**Age Group:** adults

**Gi Requirement:** Gi required

**Description:** Advanced gi BJJ classes for blue belt and higher, focusing on higher-level techniques and competition training

**Classes:**

### Open Mat

**Skill Level:** All Levels

**Age Group:** adults

**Gi Requirement:** No-Gi

**Description:** Open sparring sessions for all levels in both gi and no-gi

**Classes:**

### Competition Training

**Skill Level:** Intermediate

**Age Group:** adults

**Gi Requirement:** No-Gi

**Description:** Competition-focused training sessions for students preparing for tournaments

**Classes:**

### MMA Training

**Skill Level:** All Levels

**Age Group:** adults

**Gi Requirement:** No-Gi

**Description:** Mixed Martial Arts training incorporating kickboxing, boxing, Muay Thai, wrestling, and BJJ



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**Last Updated:** March 01, 2026

**Data Source:** BJJ.Space (https://bjj.space/gyms/united-states/california/san-jose/american-elite-grappling-aeg)