Announcments
Please make sure to check our below for special event registration, featured products, and announcments
We try our best to stay connected to our students in a variety of ways. Do you follow us on:
Facebook (public): Union UTA Martial Arts
Facebook (public): SAMI Combat Systems of NJ
Facebook (Private): Union UTA Martial Arts/SAMI Union
Instagram: @unionuta
Instagram: @samiunion
Instagram: @coachrobertnichols
twitter: @UnionUTASamiNJ
Tik Tok: @UnionUTASamiNJ
YouTube: Union UTA Martial Arts/Sami Combat systems of NJ
Please help us grow with likes, follows, and sharing. and always tag your pics with #unionuta
Upcoming Events and Reminders
*Nov 15- SAMI-X Karambit Workshop
*Nov 22- Instructor Workout
*Nov 24-26- Buddy Week
*Nov 27-29- Closed
*Dec 10- Gear Orders for testing Due
*Dec 13- Candidate Workout
*Dec 17 & 18- Holiday Sale
*Dec 20- testing Prep Class
*Dec 22-25- Closed
*Dec 22- Leadership team party 6pm-730pm
*Dec 31 & Jan 1- Closed
*Jan 1-7- Testing Applications available
*Jan 7- Candidates and Black belts essays and Fitness Requirements due
Purchase Books by our Chief Instructor!
Now available on Amazon, for Kindle, and Audible!
Our Chief Instructor, Robert Nichols is also an author!
His award winning book, “How to Earn a Black belt in…. An Average Guy’s Guide to Life.” is now available in paperback, e-book, and audiobook.
This common-sense book covers topics like parenting, leadership, relationships, and more. All while Robert Nichols shares personal stories on these subjects.
His new book, being released January 2023, "Elite Martial Artists in America," is a co-author book with martial arts legends Stephen K. Hayes and Dana Abbott. Each martial arts master covers a section in relation to Leadership, motivation, and business.
Robert Nichols is also available for speaking engagements, martial arts business consulting, and SAMICS International Seminars. He is available for virtual events and travels the country teaching. Visit the website below for information.

Upcoming Candidate/Black belt Event Dates for the Sept 2025 Testing & Colored belt stripe schedule
Black Belt and Black Belt Candidate Schedule-
Book deadline 10/1
Candidate Workouts 10/25, 11/8, & 12/13
All equipment/Embroidered belts due 12/10
Testing applications 1/1-1/7
Essays/Book reports/ fitness challenges due 1/7
Testing 1/17- Snow Date 1/24
Colored Belt Stripe Schedule
Week of 11/17- Begin Basics Stripes
Week of 11/24- Begin Footwork Stripes
Week of 12/1- Begin Self Defense Stripes
Week of 12/15-Begin Fighting Combo Stripes
Week of 12/22- Weapons and Breaking Stripes
Testing Prep Classes
11/1, 12/20, & 1/10
2pm-315pm
These open floor guided classes will be focused on prepping students specifically for testing. Part open floor and part guided instruction; the only goal of these classes is to work on testing material.
SPACE IS LIMITED! To make sure students are getting appropriate testing material attention we will be limiting this to only 15 students.
Boards are available for purchase if students wish to practice on live boards and not training boards.
Testing Information
Jan 12 & 13
Little Dragons Exam 430pm
Rest of classes normal
Jan 14
No Classes
Jan 15
No Classes
Beginners Jr Exam 5pm to 615pm
Advanced Jr Exam 630pm
Jan 16
No Classes
Intermediate Jr Exam 5pm to 630pm
Colored Belt Teen/Adult Exam 630pm
Jan 17
No Classes
Black belt Exam 10am
Important Info
- All Gear orders are due in No Later than Dec 10. They have been emailed home and are for the ranks listed in the email and on the website.
- CANDIDATE ESSAYS, 45-DAY FITNESS paperwork, Personal Development Challenges, and Black belt (black and candidate) testing applications DUE Jan 7. MANDATORY FOR TESTING!
- All TESTING APPLICATIONS will be available Jan 1 through Jan 7 (Applications will include boards for green and up)
- All Colored belt students with 4 stripes (Black and Red) on their belt should show up to a testing time. If you are short by stripes please speak with Mr. Nichols for a final decision.
- The week of Jan 5 through 10 is a Sparring Week for Intermediate and above ranks. Students MUST attend a sparring day as a testing requirement.
- If you are testing please be in proper clothing- (Approved pants/shorts, shirt, or uniform)
- Little Dragon Students evaluations will be done in class Jan 12 & 13. Please only attend 1 time during these dates. (All Little Dragons are evaluated regardless of how long they have been here)
- Make up testing will be done by appointment only and only at the discretion of the chief instructor. Make up testing require an appointment and are subject to a private lesson fee of $40. There are NO make-up exams for Candidates or black belts.
- Students that arrive LATE to testing will NOT be admitted.
- Bring everything you need for your exam. This includes weapons and gear for required ranks. If you are not prepared, you may not pass.
- If you do not meet exam requirements you will be contacted via email within 24 hours of the exam. It will then be your decision and responsibility to schedule a make-up test or wait until the next exam date.
- A Student’s attendance greatly affects their potential to test. Our check in system tracks attendance throughout a cycle. Students have “minimum class requirements” per level in order to be eligible to test. These class requirements are based on 1 testing cycle.
Beginner Ranks-16 Classes/Intermediate Ranks-20 Classes/Advanced Ranks-24 Classes/Black Belts-25 Classes/ All candidates 30 classes
- Monday Jan 19th we will be closed for cleaning and maintenance
- Colored belt students will receive their new ranks at RANK CEREMONY on Jan 20th. Black belts and Black belt candidates will receive ranks the day of their exam. Beginner and Intermediate Jr’s at 530pm. Advanced Jr’s Teen/Adult students at 615pm. Students that do not attend rank ceremony will receive their belts in regular class.
- Wednesday Jan 21st is our “New Cycle” Zoom meeting for all students and parents at 630pm. ALSO at 715pm is a meeting for ALL Candidates and Black Belts. This includes new candidates and candidates that did not test from the previous cycle. This is MANDATORY to test for your black belt. Information will be emailed home.
Remember that it’s ok NOT to test! Every student’s progress happens in their own time. Just because we have an exam scheduled does not mean you have to be ready. Preparation for an exam should begin months in advance, not a few weeks before an exam. It is the student’s responsibility to be prepared and know what is on their exam. All curriculum requirements are on our website.
Register for Private Lessons or Private Exams Here!
Private instruction in a great way to focus on specific material or skill development with a certified instructor. The attention is solely on you.
Also use this section to register for a Private Exam- ONLY if you have been given permission by our office staff.
Personal Training and Fitness
Private one on one training and small group classes are now available by appointment!
- UTA/SAMI UNION Personal Training
- can be that extra kick in the butt to become the best version of you!
Sessions are available to purchase individually or in packages.
Sessions are available BEFORE regular class hours and can be set up for a variety of time slots during the week!
UTA/SAMI UNION Personal Training Program Benefits:
· Customization to your needs
· Available for all fitness levels
· Weight Loss
· Body Fat Reduction
· Strength and Building
· Toning
· Mobility and Flexibility
· Cardiovascular Conditioning
· Diet and Nutrition Tips
· And More!
- Equipment Order Forms
- There are currently NO SCHEDULED equipment orders. Please contact our main office before placing an order.
Please stop by the main office if you need assistance in measuring (forms tell you how) or for Cash payment options.
This includes:
- Boards- For practice or heavier breaking
- Sparring equipment for All Orange Testing for Green
- Nunchucks for Jr Purple belts testing for Brown
- Black Belt Candidates
- 1st Degree Probationary Black Belts testing for Decided
- 2nd Degree Candidates
- 3rd degree candidates
Please let us know if you have any questions BEFORE placing your orders.
If you are uncertain if this is a REQUIREMENT for your rank please contact our office.


