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
*April 3 & 4- Closed
*April 11- Testing Prep Class
*April 15- Closed for Leadership Development Meeting at 530pm
*April- 17- Buddy Day
*April 18- Candidate Workout
*April 22- Equipment orders are due for testing
*April 29 to May 6- Testing Applications
*May 2- Testing Perp class 1-230pm
*May 6- Essays, Fitness Challenges, and Book reports for Candidates and Black belts too.
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 May 2026 Testing & Colored belt stripe schedule
Black Belt and Black Belt Candidate Schedule-
2/4- Book Approval Deadline
2/28- Candidate Workout
3/21- Candidate Workout
4/11- Testing Prep Class Available
4/18- Candidate Workout
4/21- Deadline for Gear
5/2- Testing Prep Class Available
4/29-5/6- Testing Apps are live
5/6- Essays and Fitness Challenges Due
5/16- Testing
Colored Belt Stripe Schedule
The following are the weeks in which we START looking at stripes for exams.
March 23- Basics
March 30- Footwork
April 6- Self Defense
April 20- Fighting Combo Stripes
April 27- All stripes
Testing Prep Classes
Testing Prep Classes
April 11 & May 2
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.
NO REFUNDS are given for this event as space is limited.
Testing Information
May 11
Little Dragons Exams 430pm
All other classes Testing Prep
May 12
Little Dragons Exams 5pm
All other classes Testing Prep
May 13
Closed
May 14
No Classes
5-615pm Beginner Jr's Exam
630pm Advanced Jr's Exam
May 15
No Classes
5-615pm Intermediate Jr's Exam
630pm Teen/Adult Colored Belt Exam
May 16
No Classes
Black Belt Testing 10am
Please Read Below
The information below outlines testing requirements as well as the week after testing schedule
Big Dates the week AFTER Testing
*Monday May 18th we will be closed for cleaning and maintenance
*Colored belt students will receive their new ranks at RANK CEREMONY on May 19th. 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 May 20th is our “New Cycle” Zoom meeting for all students and parents at 630pm. ALSO at 715pm is a meeting for ALL Candidates. 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.
*Thursday May 21st is “Show & Tell day for Little Dragons and Jr’s. Kids classes this day are an organized event when we work on our public speaking confidence. Students should bring an item, picture, object from home (no animals please). Teen/Adult classes will be conditioning.
*Friday May 22nd will be Fun and Game for Jr students and HARDCORE for teen/adults from 730pm to 9pm.
*Saturday May 23rd All classes conditioning and basics
*Monday May 25th Closed for Memorial Day
*Tuesday May 26th New Testing Cycle begins
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- All Gear orders are due in No Later than April 22. 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 May 6. MANDATORY FOR TESTING!
- All TESTING APPLICATIONS will be available April 29 to May 6 (Applications will include boards for green and up) Applications received AFTER these dates will receive a late fee.
- 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 Sr. Staff for a final decision.
- Little Dragon Students evaluations will be done in class May 11 & 12. 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 or are not properly dressed 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 48 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
Zoom Meetings after Testing
After testing we hold 2 important zoom meetings for our school.
May 20- 6pm. School Zoom meeting. All students and parents are encouraged to attend our after testing meeting. We discuss the previous testing cycle, the upcoming cycle, changes in policies, and answer general questions.
May 20- 645pm. Candidate Meeting. This meeting is for ALL black belt candidates to go over requirements and expectations for Black belt testing. This is the 1st requirement for candidates. Any student under 18 should have a parent present as well.
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
- Orders for the May testing are due NO LATER than April 22
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.
Please DO NOT use the General/Individual Equipment Orders for ranking equipment. This form is intended for people replacing pieces of gear or equipment. It is NOT for ranking equipment for testing.
