Kim Dae Hwan Boxing and MMA
Founded in 2012, Kim Dae Hwan Boxing and MMA (김대환복싱MMA) is a mixed martial arts academy based in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, South Korea.
Established by former professional MMA fighter and television commentator Dae Hwan Kim (김대환), the gym blends traditional boxing fundamentals with modern mixed martial arts, wrestling, and grappling into a well-rounded training system. The academy has produced competitors across the Korean regional circuit while also serving as a training center for recreational martial artists seeking high-level coaching.
Unlike many Korean gyms that specialize heavily in either striking or grappling, Kim Dae Hwan Boxing and MMA emphasizes complete MMA development. Athletes are expected to build strong boxing mechanics before integrating wrestling, cage control, submissions, and overall fight strategy. Kim Dae Hwan Boxing and MMA has consistently fielded competitors in promotions such as Black Combat and other domestic organizations, reflecting its continued presence in Korea’s evolving MMA scene.
Coaching Staff
Dae Hwan Kim (Owner & Head Coach)
Former professional middleweight fighter Dae Hwan Kim enjoyed an impressive 9-1 professional record (listed as 8-1 on some databases due to record discrepancies) before transitioning into coaching and one of Korea’s best-known MMA commentators. Known for his aggressive boxing and knockout power, Kim won the Wardog Cage Fight Middleweight Championship in Japan and built a reputation as one of Korea’s most entertaining finishers. His experience inside the cage is reflected in the gym’s emphasis on disciplined striking, pressure fighting, and technical fundamentals.
Hyung Soo Kim – Wrestling Coach
Hyung Soo Kim oversees the academy’s wrestling curriculum. As both a coach and former professional fighter, he brings firsthand competitive experience to the wrestling and clinch aspects of MMA. His instruction focuses on takedown entries, positional control, defensive wrestling, and integrating grappling into mixed martial arts competition.
Tae Min Kwak – MMA Coach
Tae Min Kwak rounds out the coaching staff, assisting with technical MMA development and day-to-day athlete preparation. His role includes striking drills, conditioning, and helping competitors prepare for amateur and professional bouts throughout Korea.
Team History
Kim Dae Hwan Boxing and MMA was established in 2012, shortly after Dae Hwan Kim began transitioning from active competition into coaching and broadcasting. His vision was to create a gym that emphasized technical excellence while remaining welcoming to athletes of all experience levels. Rather than focusing solely on elite professionals, the academy developed programs for beginners, amateur competitors, and experienced fighters alike.
Over the years, the team has steadily produced competitors for South Korea’s regional MMA circuit. Fighters representing the academy have appeared in promotions including Black Combat, Wardog Cage Fight, and other domestic organizations. The gym has also built a reputation for producing athletes with balanced skill sets, combining clean boxing fundamentals with wrestling-based MMA.
Several notable competitors have represented the academy, including:
- Sang Kwon Han
- Soon Tae Choi
- Young Hoon Kim
- Jae Hyuk Heo
- Hee Won Hong
- Hyung Soo Kim
These athletes have competed across multiple Korean promotions and have helped establish the gym as a consistent presence within the country’s regional MMA landscape.
Today, Kim Dae Hwan Boxing and MMA continues to serve both aspiring professionals and recreational martial artists from its Seongnam facility. Guided by a coaching staff with professional fighting experience, the academy remains committed to developing technically sound mixed martial artists while contributing to the continued growth of Korean MMA.
