Charles Allen - Founder and Senior Master Instructor

  • Charles Allen, the founder of the studio, began his training in 1973 in the North Central Arizona region (Verde Valley). Charles Allen received his Black Belt in Shodokan Karate, Judo, and Aikido on April 3, 1978, under Sensei Sam Plunkett, a Black Belt in the Hawaii Karate Association. Sensei Plunkett, born and raised in Hawaii, earned his Black Belt under Master Harold Matsumoto. In October 1978 Charles moved to Tucson, Ariz., where he began training in Tae Kwon Do under Master Lion Parks; then for a short period under Master Kim; then joined up with the American Taekwondo Association and trained under Jim Smith. Following those experiences, Charles had the oppritunity to learn the Chuck Norris system now known as Chun Kuk Do- the system. The name of Chun Kuk Do identifies the unified set of philosiphies, principles, and techniques. Master Norries has modeled into the greatest, most complete martial art in the world. In October 1981, Charles received his 1st Degree Black Belt from Master Norris.  On July 22, 1995, Master Norris promoted Mr. Allen into the master ranks 5th Degree Black Belt. On July 28, 2001, Master Norris promoted Mr. Allen to 6th Degree Black Belt. Mr. Allen received his Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2006 under Marcio Simas.

Kevin Hibbs - Master CKD Instructor

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  • Kevin Hibbs has been studying Martisl Arts since 1984 and is currently a 5th degree Black Belt in Chun Kuk Do and is the United Fighting Arts Federation (UFAF) Region 5 Director. Mr. HIbbs also trains in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and weapons. In 1997 he won the Arizona State Black Belt Fighting Championships and the 1996 International Black Belt Team Fighting Championships.

 

Brian Ogule - Senior BJJ Instructor

  • Brian Ogule has been studying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for 9 years. Brian took Silver in the 2004 Pan American Games and has won 1st place in almost every major Jiu-Jitsu tournament in Arizona, Las Vegas and California. Brian also trained in Muay Thai for several years and is still training in BJJ.

Vinnie Spina - Advanced BJJ Instructor PA192660.JPG

  • Born in Long Island, NY. Vinnie has helped in the family restaurant business for many years and still does today here in Tucson, Arizona. Vinnie has been studying Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu for the last 8 years and is a Brown Belt and our morning instructor. Vinnie brings an unusual easiness and open mindedness to the Jiu Jitsu world. He welcomes any and all questions by any student no matter their skill level or prior training and treats everyone in his class as if they've been training as long as he has. The countless hours that he spends studying books, videos and on the mat make him one of the most technical and natural instructors that The Ultima has. His students benefit the most from his "live, breathe, and sleep" Jiu Jitsu mentality as shown by some of them competing and winning in the Pan Americans. Mr. Spina is one of the most technicial and easy-going instructors you'll ever meet and an irreplaceable member of our family.  At the age of 34 he is still undefeated in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu tournaments.

Dan Lutz - Advanced BJJ Instructor

  • Dan Lutz has been studying martial arts since 1984 at the Ultima as well as the Kodenkan Martial Arts Academy. Dan has a 1st degree black belt in Chun Kuk Do, 3rd degree black belt in Matsuno Ryu Goshin Jitsu, and a 4th degree purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Dusty Alexander - Advanced BJJ and Head Batto-Do Instructor

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  • Dusty took 1st place in the Pan American Games in 2004 in the Super - Super Heavy Weight devision. He then was invited to the World Championships in Brazil where he took 3rd place. His passion for the sport led him to Brazil and trained under Fabio Gurgel (3rd degree black belt) for over a year. Dusty's thirst for knowledge had him seeking training in Ryuseiken Batto Do and Senshido. 

 

Stephen McDonald - Senior Member of Chun Kuk Do

  • Steve has been with The Ultima for nearly 20 years, is one of the 1st generation Black Belts, and one of the most noted and well-rounded instructors the studio has ever had. He holds a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Chun Kuk Do, a Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, is a Phase-2 Certified Instructor in Krav Maga, a Muay Thai Instructor, and a Mixed Martial Arts Fighter. His mentoring with both adults and children is absolutely amazing. Mr. McDonald has recently graduated from the University of Arizona with his degree in Business and has temporarily relocated to California for a wonderful business opportunity. We wish him the best of luck and hope his ventures bring him back to Tucson and the Ultima.

Mike Mckenzie - Advanced CKD Instructor

  • Mike began his training in Chun Kuk Do when he was 5 years old at the Chuck Norris Studios in Virginia Beach, Virginia. During his years there he began competing in NASKA (North American Sport Karate Association). He traveled much of the east coast competing in Katas, Weapons, and Sparring. His family moved to Tucson, AZ in the summer of 1998 when he continued his training at The Ultima. In 1999 Mike won the MARRS Grand Championships. In 2001 he earned his 1st degree black belt from UFAF. Recently he completed his test for his 4th degree. Along with many students from The Ultima he makes the annual trek to Las Vegas, NV for the UFAF International Convention and Tournament. Along with Chun Kuk Do, Mike trains in BJJ, Senshido, and Hiraido. One of Mike's other passions is soccer, which he continues in college in pursuit of playing on a professional level.

 

Jorge Alonzo - Advanced CKD and Sparring Instructor

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  • Mr. Alonzo's goal is to apply his vast experience in the field of martial arts training and competing, to divulge the personal, mental, and physical advantages that martial arts has brought to his life. Utilizing his years of knowledge he has had the privilege to enjoy as a top-level competitor, Jorge enjoys helping in the upbringing of new talents in a prestigious and dedicated organization. In 1997, Jorge came to The Ultima Martial Arts Center in Tucson, Arizona. Currently holding a 4th degree black belt in Chun Kuk Do, under the UFAF (United Fighting Arts Federation), Jorge has competed in world renown circuits and tournaments and holds over 100 tropheys/medals. Jorge has toured the world competing individually and in team fighting, forms and weapons competition against some of the world's best martial artists.

David Alonzo - Advanced CKD and Sparring Instructor

Richard Brevaire - CKD and Sparring Instructor

  • Richard was born on April 13, 1978. After spending his childhood watching Saturday afternoon Kung Fu movies, Richard's interest in karate was sparked. He started his martials career in Kenpo Karate at age 6, and continued there until age 8.  For a breif period Richard persued other sports, but ultimately came back to a passion of martial arts when he met Mr. Charles Allen at Foothills Karate Studio at age 12. Under Mr. Allen's mentorship, Richard entered many tournaments, claiming a Regional first place and placing in Nationals. He was able to aquire his Black belt at age 17 and his UFAF Blackbelt at 18. Richard has been teaching ever since.

Mike Edwards - CKD Instructor PA192651.JPG

  • Mike started his martial arts training when he was 15 years old at Foothills Karate Studio in 1997. During his time there he studied Chun Kuk Do Karate as well as Brazilian Jui Jitsui. Mike achieved his In School Black Belt in July of 2001, then moved to Oregon to attend college. While there he studied and achieved the rank of Black belt in UTA Tae Kwon Do. Mike returned to Tucson after graduating College and rejoined the Ultima Martial Arts Center. Once back, he earned his UFAF 1st degree Black belt and is currently working on his second degree.

April Dull - CKD Instructor

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  • April started martial arts when she was 8 years old. She received her in-school black belt in January 2006 and received her UFAF black belt in October 2006. She received her 2nd degree UFAF black belt in November 2007. April is a member of the Ultima's Demo team and has achieved certified instructor recognition under Mr. Lai.

Mark Catalano - CKD Instructor PA192663.JPG

 

Andy Gonzalez - CKD Instructor PA192666.JPG

  • Andy started his Martial Arts training at age 6 at the Foothills Karate Studio, which is now the Ulitma Martial Arts Center. He recieved his black belt in Chun Kuk Do at age 12 in 2005. Andy teaches both the karate tigers and powercats and is in charge of the curriculum for the tiger orange and purple belts. Andy also takes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Krav Maga and Batta Do at the Ultima. Andy is a very active student and is involved in drama, Musical Theatre and many other clubs as well. Some day Andy hopes to start businesses in both Martial Arts and the Fine and Performing Arts.

Ashley Bale-Fehrenkamp - CKD Instructor PA192667.JPG

  • Ashley Bale-Fehrenkamp was initially introduced to The Ultima while her brother was taking classes here.  Ashley commenced her training at 9 years old in May of 1995 and received her in-school black belt in March 1997.  Ashley began teaching in 2001 beneath Mr. Lai.  In 2006 she tested for her UFAF black belt and recently received her 2nd degree.

 

Josh Strauss - Head MMA and Advanced Muay Thai Instructor

  • Joshua Strauss has been training in martial arts since 2001, having trained in Judo, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and Muay Thai. He has competed in a number of BJJ, submission grappling, and kickboxing events. Most recently he has been training alongside the Ultima's many up and coming Muay Thai and MMA fighters, helping them achieve glory while he toils away in graduate school!

George Roop - Advanced MMA Instructor

Dominic Alexander - Advanced MMA, Krav Maga and Muay Thai Instructor

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Patty Wagner - Krav Maga Instructor 

  • When Patty was 18 years old, she was taking classes at Pima Community College. She decided to enroll in women’s self defense class. Patty wanted to be a police officer and thought that having some defensive tactics under her belt would help. She arrived at the YMCA for her first scheduled fighting class and met her instructor Mark Howard. He stated that he was going to be teaching an Israeli Defense System called Krav Maga. As the semester continued she became addicted to it. At the end of the semester Patty knew she had to continue studying Krav Maga and was able to continue to learn under the tutelage of her mentor, Mark at the Ultima Studio. The following July she was went to LA and began training to become an instructor and is now licensed to teach Krav Maga Level 1. In February 2008, she graduated the Police Academy, SALETC, and now is a police officer with the city of Tucson. She is very glad that she continued her training in Krav because it has helped her immensely in her chosen career and she enjoys teaching others how to defend themselves should the unthinkable happen.

Danny Mangual - Head Capoeira Graduate Student (Estagiario) Atabaque

  • Danny started training in Capoeira in October 2002 in Tucson, Arizona with the group Berim Brasil under the direction of Mestre Canguru. In the summer of 2003, he joined the group Capoeira Mandinga at the University of Arizona under the direction of Mestre Marcelo. Danny moved to Los Angeles, California in the summer of 2005 where he had the opportunity to join the Capoeira group Cordao de Ouro under the direction of Mestre Penteado and Mestre Suassuna. Atabaque (Danny) has also trained Olympic Weightlifting since the age of 14 and was part of the Puerto Rico Weightlifting National Team in the middle-weight division at the age of 23. Danny also studies Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and other martial arts. Danny graduated from the University of Puerto Rico with two degrees in Computer and Electrical Engineering and completed his Masters degree in Systems Engineering from the University of Arizona.

"To achieve just must believe first. . ." - M. Virgulino (Capoeira CDO - New Mexico)