Fight Science MMA Kids Program
Fight Science MMA, 4713 W. Washington Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90016
About
The Fight Science MMA Kids Program includes MMA striking with an emphasis on boxing and kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu (BJJ), resistance training, bodyweight exercises, and both aerobic and anaerobic cardio workouts. The program also includes anti-bullying and self-defense activities, along with a focus on discipline and fitness.
The program takes place at Fight Science MMA, which describes itself as a family-friendly gym and includes a shower that kids can use after class, with members able to bring a towel and personal items. The gym applies technical and scientific methods to martial arts and fitness, and approaches fighting, striking, grappling, weight-loss, self-defense, mental toughness, and fitness from a scientific, fact-based, and intellectual point of view. The kids’ program is headed by Chris “Taco” Padilla, who has fought and competed since he was a teenager and has a professional record of 9-3-0 and an amateur record of 6-0-0.
The Fight Science method began in 2003, and in August 2017 Ian Harris, Julian Rush, and Leo Hirai opened the first Fight Science gym in Mid City, Los Angeles. Ian Harris is the founder of the Fight Science method and head coach, began teaching his hybrid martial arts in 2003, has nearly 40 years of martial arts experience, and has trained fighters under the Fight Science MMA banner since 2003. He holds a black belt in KenJuKai, originally trained in KenJuKai (a hybrid of Kenpo, Wing Chun and Japanese Jujitsu), trained under Bruce Lee student Richard Bustillo learning JKD, Muay Thai, Filipino Martial Arts, Boxing and Shooto, began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1995 under Claudio Franca, and received his black belt from UFC fighter Pedro Munhoz. Julian Rush, an early student and fighter and now coach and co-owner, has trained in Boxing, Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Krav Maga, Haganah and TFT, competed in BJJ tournaments from 1997–2005 and MMA from 2004–2007, and won the Total Fighting Alliance Heavyweight Championship in 2006 and defended it until he retired in late 2007. Leo Hirai, also an early student, fighter, and co-owner, began martial arts through Aikido at age 12, started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1999 during grad school at UCLA through a BJJ club founded by Rickson Gracie, organized and competed in amateur fights at the John Wooden Center, specialized in Sambo-style leg locks, and fought for Shooto in their inaugural Shooto USA event in 2007.
The program is part of a gym whose stated goal is to have a family-friendly gym in its neighborhood that teaches cutting-edge, scientifically proven methods of self-protection, fighting and fitness to promote health, humility, self-respect, and respect for others while continuing to build the best MMA fight team in the world. The Fight Science MMA Team has had fighters on shows from the amateur level all the way to the UFC and Bellator, and two of the original students, Chad George and Julian Rush, became two of the first champions under California-sanctioned MMA. The gym has a payment policy that moves away from cash payments for fitness apparel, fight gear and other pro shop merchandise, while still accepting cash for beverages and snacks.
Last updated April 6, 2026.
The program takes place at Fight Science MMA, which describes itself as a family-friendly gym and includes a shower that kids can use after class, with members able to bring a towel and personal items. The gym applies technical and scientific methods to martial arts and fitness, and approaches fighting, striking, grappling, weight-loss, self-defense, mental toughness, and fitness from a scientific, fact-based, and intellectual point of view. The kids’ program is headed by Chris “Taco” Padilla, who has fought and competed since he was a teenager and has a professional record of 9-3-0 and an amateur record of 6-0-0.
The Fight Science method began in 2003, and in August 2017 Ian Harris, Julian Rush, and Leo Hirai opened the first Fight Science gym in Mid City, Los Angeles. Ian Harris is the founder of the Fight Science method and head coach, began teaching his hybrid martial arts in 2003, has nearly 40 years of martial arts experience, and has trained fighters under the Fight Science MMA banner since 2003. He holds a black belt in KenJuKai, originally trained in KenJuKai (a hybrid of Kenpo, Wing Chun and Japanese Jujitsu), trained under Bruce Lee student Richard Bustillo learning JKD, Muay Thai, Filipino Martial Arts, Boxing and Shooto, began training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1995 under Claudio Franca, and received his black belt from UFC fighter Pedro Munhoz. Julian Rush, an early student and fighter and now coach and co-owner, has trained in Boxing, Kickboxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Krav Maga, Haganah and TFT, competed in BJJ tournaments from 1997–2005 and MMA from 2004–2007, and won the Total Fighting Alliance Heavyweight Championship in 2006 and defended it until he retired in late 2007. Leo Hirai, also an early student, fighter, and co-owner, began martial arts through Aikido at age 12, started Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 1999 during grad school at UCLA through a BJJ club founded by Rickson Gracie, organized and competed in amateur fights at the John Wooden Center, specialized in Sambo-style leg locks, and fought for Shooto in their inaugural Shooto USA event in 2007.
The program is part of a gym whose stated goal is to have a family-friendly gym in its neighborhood that teaches cutting-edge, scientifically proven methods of self-protection, fighting and fitness to promote health, humility, self-respect, and respect for others while continuing to build the best MMA fight team in the world. The Fight Science MMA Team has had fighters on shows from the amateur level all the way to the UFC and Bellator, and two of the original students, Chad George and Julian Rush, became two of the first champions under California-sanctioned MMA. The gym has a payment policy that moves away from cash payments for fitness apparel, fight gear and other pro shop merchandise, while still accepting cash for beverages and snacks.
Last updated April 6, 2026.
Is this your business? There is no cost, but you will be asked to sign up or log in.