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 18 & 19- Closed
*April 23- Gear orders for testing due
*May 1-7- Testing Applications Avail
*May 3- Jr’s Breaking Seminar
*May 7- Essays, Fitness Requirements Due
*May 12-17- Testing week- See Testing Schedule
*May 14*- Photo Day- Sign up in advance
*May 19- Closed
*May 20- Closed for Rank Ceremony
Beginner Jr’s 530. Intermediate Jr’s 615. Advanced Jr’s 7pm. All Teen/Adults 745pm
*May 21- School Zoom Meeting 630pm. Candidate Zoom Meeting 715pm. Teen/Adult Hardcore 730pm
*May 24-26- Closed
*June 4- Deadline Summer Clothing
*June 10- Closed- Leadership Meeting 6pm
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 2025 Testing
2/5- Book report approval deadline
2/22- Candidate Workout
3/8- Candidate Workout
4/23- Gear orders due
4/26- Candidate Workout
5/1-5/7- Testing applications available
5/7- Deadline for applications, essays, book reports, fitness requirements
5/17- Testing

Testing Applications
Applications for testing are due between May 1 through 7. Please make sure these are in between these dates if you are intending to test. If you DO NOT, testing fees will be applied to the next exam.
Register with QR code or here:

Board Breaking Seminar for Jr’s Saturday May 3rd- 130 to 3pm
Highly recommended for students testing!
A fun filled, educational Saturday event for board breaking practice! This is an opportunity to focus on breaking and build that confidence.
Seminar is for Jr students. Course includes 4 boards to break at event.
$32 per student Pre-register before 4/28
$40 4/28 and after
Testing, May 2025
Dates you should know
*May 12 - Little Dragons Exam 430pm. All other classes normal
*May 13 - Little Dragons Exam 5pm. All other classes normal
*May 14 - No Classes- Photo Day
*May 15- No Classes- 5pm-615pm- Beginner Jr's Exam 630pm- Advanced Jr's Exam
*May 16- No Classes- 5pm-615pm- Intermediate Jr's Exam 630pm- Teen/Adult Jr's Exam
*May 17- No Classes- 10am- Black Belt Exam
*May 19- Closed
*May 20- Rank Ceremony (Details Below)
*May 21- Fun and Games Day. School Zoom Meeting 630pm. Candidate Zoom Meeting 715pm. Teen/Adult Hardcore 7pm-830pm
IMPORTANT INFORMATION
- All Gear orders are due in No Later than April 23. 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 7. MANDATORY FOR TESTING!
- All TESTING APPLICATIONS will be available May 1 through May 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 May 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 May 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 May 19th we will be closed for cleaning and maintenance
- Colored belt students will receive their new ranks at RANK CEREMONY on May 20. Black belts and Black belt candidates will receive ranks the day of their exam. Beginner Jr’s at 530pm. Intermediate Jr’s at 615pm. Advanced Jr’s at 7pm. All Teen/Adult students at 745pm. Students that do not attend rank ceremony will receive their belts in regular class.
- Wednesday May 21 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.

Picture Day
Wednesday May 14th is our annual Picture day!
Come in and get professional Martial Arts photos taken with tons of options!
Sign up sheet is in the main lobby and space is limited!

Upcoming Meetings via Zoom
May 21- 630pm
This is our new testing cycle meeting. All parents and students are encouraged to join us.
Links sent home weekly with the Monday email.
May 21- 715pm
This meeting is a requirement for all Candidates.
Links sent home weekly with the Monday email.

Private Martial Arts lessons Now available
Supplement your online training or even get caught up with in-person private lessons!
Private instruction in a great way to focus on specific material or skill development with a certified instructor. The attention is solely on you.
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
- Our next order for the May exam is Due by April 23rd!
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.