Master Kikin Ucelo
Head Instructor / Owner
Sensei Luis “Kikin” Ucelo was born in March 1979, at his birth, his father and Master Miguel Ucelo, was already a black belt and owner of a Wado Ryu Karate School. With the objective of having always personal supervision over his son, Grand Master Ucelo took him to the Karate School with him. Kikin grew inside the Dojo seeing his father kick, punch and teach Martial Arts.
Sensei Kikin achieved great experience at an early age, witnessing his father’s dedication has been a positive influence for him. He has had the opportunity to enrich his experience by training under and with famous martial artists and Hollywood celebrities.
In 1993, Sensei Kikin obtained his black belt and since then he started developing his teaching abilities, following his father/Masters’ footsteps. Master Kikin Ucelo has an extensive competition background winning various awards, medals and trophies through out the years. Having won from 1996 to 2000 the World United Martial Arts Championship in both forms and sparring. He also won the championship in Korea in 2009. Kikin has also competed in the IBJJF (International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation) tournaments. Now he holds big pride and satisfaction in helping his students achieve their own victories, both in life as well as in the ring.
Sensei Kikin Ucelo opened the first Ucelo Martial Arts dojo in Glendale, Arizona in March of 2001 which he left in the hands of his father GM Ucelo. In October of 2003 he went on to open the now Ucelo Martial Arts Phoenix location, and is continuing to follow his dream and passion of teaching martial arts and keeping the UCELO legacy alive and strong.
In 2018, Sensei Kikin Ucelo obtained his 6th. Dan in Karate and Kobudo under Grandmaster Miguel Ucelo same year he attained his black belt in Brazilian Jiu jitsu under professor Augusto “Tanquinho” Mendes. In December of 2021 he was promoted to 1st Degree Black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu by the International Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation. (IBJJF)
“Martial arts is my passion.” Kikin Ucelo
Ucelo Family
Family is where it all starts here at our Dojo. The Ucelo’s are a well known family inside our community together they have touched so many lives and are always seen training and helping our students.
Mrs. Monica Ucelo
General Manager / Owner
Mrs. Monica is the first face you will see in our dojo. She will always welcome you with a smile even though she usually has her hands full running our school. She helps new and current students, scheduling regular and private classes, ordering gear and equipment and signing up tests and special events. She takes part of our Kickboxing and Karate program where she now holds a 2nd degree Black belt
Mrs. Monica is Yai, Taro and Milas’ mom and Sensei Kikin’s wife.
Mr. Yai Ucelo
Karate & Jiu Jitsu Instructor
Adrian “Yai” Ucelo, is the eldest son of Sensei Kikin and Mrs. Monica, he started training at the age of 4.
Yai holds the rank of 2nd degree Black belt in Karate and Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu.
Yai is a fearless competitor and athlete winning a numerous medals in Karate, wrestling and Jiu Jitsu.
Yai creates personal connections and motivates his students to reach goals and progress in fitness and knowledge. He teaches private lessons meeting individual needs. He instructs almost all groups of the karate kids programs and leads the kids Jiu Jitsu team.
Mr. Taro Ucelo
Karate & Jiu Jitsu Instructor
Daniel “Taro” Ucelo is the second child of Sensei Kikin and Mrs. Monica, he is the first ever Little Ninja Black belt and now holds a 1st degree Black belt in karate and a Blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Taro is growing into an amazing athlete.
Taro has won various medals in Karate. He is state Gi & Nogi champion and now wrestles for Ironwood High School in the Varsity team.
Taro enjoys teaching the karate kids programs and Jiu Jitsu kids along his brother Yai. He engages with his students and spreads passion for the arts. He teaches private lessons that cater to all students and abilities.
Miss Milas Ucelo
Karate Junior Leader
Milas is the youngest child of Sensei Kikin and Mrs. Monica, she was the youngest Little Tiger ever to start training at our Dojo, starting at the age of 2.2 years old.
Milas now holds a brown belt and is a Junior Leader to the Little Tigers, Little Dragons and Little Ninjas classes where she encourages the younger students to do their best and train hard while keeping the discipline, respect and a special touch of fun.
Milas is a sweet, caring ninja who now can be seen training in the teen and adult classes.
Our Expert Team
Meet our professional team of instructors
Mr. Aaron Peña
Karate & Kickboxing Instructor
Mr. Aaron Peña started his training in 2004 and currently holds a 3rd degree black belt in Karate and a Purple belt in Jiu Jitsu.
Mr. Peña has competed in and out of state and has won various medals during his competing years. His experience as a competitor alowes him to be an outstanding judge at tournaments.
He is a very humble and easy going person with a huge heart always willing to help everyone in and outside the mat. He is a very knowledgeable teacher and skillful practitioner.
Mr. Manuel Arvizu
Karate Instructor
Mr. Manuel started training in 2003 and holds the title of our dojos’ first ever student. Mr. Manuel brings an incredible amount experience to the class, he now holds a 3rd degree in Karate a blue belt in Jiu Jitsu and is a Bachelor in Accounting and Sports Business and has a masters in Accounting.
Mr. Manuel loves to spin kick while he brings old school training to our teen and adult classes. He loves sharing his experience and knowledge to his students with assertiveness, patience and positive attitude.
Mr. Carlos Lara
Karate Instructor
Mr. Carlos started training at the age of 9, He is a strong fighter that loves to train and is well known on the mat for his strong and challenging cardio classes.
He is an experienced and stimulating instructor to our advanced kids class. He is determined to inspire the next generation of black belts.
Mr. Carlos now holds a 3rd degree Black belt in Karate and Purple belt in Jiu Jitsu all while helping save lives as a registered nurse at a local hospital.
Mrs. Liz Lara
Karate Instructor
Mrs. Liz is a passionate martial artist, she started training at the young age of 7 and has achieved many goals in her martial arts life, from her Jr. black belt to black belt championship title, 3rd degree Black in Karate, Blue belt in Jiu Jitsu and also has a bachelor of Science Engineering.
Mrs. Liz currently teaches our intermediate kids classes empowering her students with sharp technique and competent skill.
She is an amazing instructor while still attending her regular black belt training.
Mr. Matt Kilcran
Karate Instructor
Mr. Matt Kilcran has been involved in our school since 2004 but formally started training in 2009 after his three children. He currently holds a 2nd. degree Black belt in Karate and a blue belt in Jiu Jitsu. He takes great pride in teaching our advanced kids classes and has amazing attention to technique detail while helping his students understand and learn.
He is always willing to help and share his abilities and talents.
Mr. Matt is also our very own project manager for all our in-house renovations and upgrades.
Mr. Hugo Garcia
Karate Instructor
Mr. Hugo has been training in our dojo since 2007. He currently holds a 2nd degree Black belt in Karate and a blue belt in Jiu Jitsu. His determination and persistence in practice is admirable and humbling.
He is a very easy going but old school instructor that teaches and helps with our blue belt kids every Friday afternoon.
He meets his students needs and encourages everybody to try their best in every practice.
Miss Odalys Miranda
Karate Instructor
Miss Odalys is also a lifetime student at our dojo, starting her journey in martial arts in the Little Tiger program at the young age of 5. Miss Odalys is a very talented, easy going, smiling type of person with a strong passion for the practice and instruction of martial arts.
She teaches our beginner kids program building strong fundamentals in our starting students. Her kicks are impressive and inspiring for everyone.
Odalys is a 1st degree Black Belt in karate and vice president student council at her high school.
Miss Hailee Bibb
Karate Instuctor
Miss Hailee has been a student in our dojo since a very young age starting her training in the Little Tiger program.
Miss Hailee now holds a 1st degree Black belt in Karate and Blue belt in Jiu Jitsu. She is dedicated and a good natured teacher, she would go beyond herself to help others with firmness and capability.
Miss Hailee is super passionate and dedicated to her training having to drive all the from the city of Mesa 4 – 5 times a week to train.
Mr. Andre Robles
Jiu Jitsu Instructor
Mr. Andre has trained in our dojo since the beginning of our Jiu Jitsu program which started back in 2010. He was a high school wrestler & is a military veteran. He has a wide competitive experience winning various medals in Jiu Jitsu and Judo.
Mr. Andre now holds a Black belt in Jiu Jitsu and is an integral part of the growth and teaching inside our Jiu Jitsu program. He is an amazing person, always willing to help all our students on and off the mat. His dedication and passion is outstanding and inspiring to all.