UFAF ITC 2026 Instructor Reveal #8 - Empowering the Next Generation

 

UFAF ITC 2026 REGISTRATION Opening Soon! UFAF ITC 2026 continues to expand what’s possible on the mat.  We are proud to officially reveal our next featured instructor… Instructor Reveal #8 Clara Melendez Master Clara Melendez operates the K.W. Karate/Tae Kwon Do Centers in California and has been a leader in martial arts education, competition, and community impact for over four decades. She began her martial arts journey in 1978 and quickly rose to prominence as one of the nation’s top-ranked tournament competitors in Sparring, Forms, Weapons, and Board Breaking, earning national recognition in Martial Arts Illustrated Magazine and becoming a 10-time champion at Ed Parker’s Long Beach Internationals. Her accomplishments include: UFAF Female Competitor of the Year (2005) Training over 100 Black Belts, earning Gold Level recognition as the largest Chuck Norris System school UFAF School of the Year recipient in 2011 and 2017 Recognition by the United States Congress for outstanding community involvement Level 2 Coach – Master Rank in Olympic USA Tae Kwon Do International World Tae Kwon Do Referee International presenter and certified instructor in Krav Maga and Violent Critical Incidents, including active intruder and terrorism response Creator of PowerKids vs. Zombies, a nationally recognized child safety seminar program For more than 34 years, Master Melendez has also hosted the Four Valleys of the Sun Open Karate Championships, coaching teams throughout the United States and Mexico. Youth Seminar: Alpha PowerKid - Training with Technology This high-voltage youth seminar is designed to empower Generation Alpha martial artists — children influenced by technology who face real-world challenges both on and off the mat.  Without losing the essence of traditional martial arts, this seminar introduces cutting-edge training tools to help students improve: Speed, force, and timing Defensive and counterattack response Situational awareness and personal safety Confidence under pressure PowerKids will train with technology-based methods to: Improve tournament performance through faster reactions Break the bullying cycle Develop survival skills for high-stress situations Respond quickly and appropriately to unsafe or inappropriate behavior This seminar is about preparing kids for the world they live in — not the world we grew up in.  The message is simple:  Come as an Alpha. Leave as a PowerKid. Register Early & Save Big Registration for UFAF ITC 2026 will open soon, and the best pricing won’t last forever. If you’re planning to attend, now is the time to secure your spot. Important Hotel Reminder Be sure to book your room at the Rio using the official UFAF room block.   https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/LASDH/G-UF26 You’ll need your Rio confirmation code to receive the maximum discount on your ITC registration—this step is required, so don’t wait.  Reserve your room now! More world-class instructors will be revealed soon, and this is just the beginning. We can’t wait to see you in Las Vegas for another unforgettable ITC. Train hard. Dream big. UFAF ITC Team CLICK HERE - BOOK YOUR ROOM NOW

Instructor Reveal #7 - From Reps to Results

 

UFAF ITC 2026 Registration Opens Friday, Feb. 6 UFAF ITC 2026 continues to raise the bar. We are excited to officially reveal Instructor #7… Instructor Reveal #7 Andi Lynn Woods Andi Woods began training in the Chuck Norris System at just three years old and has grown into one of UFAF’s most accomplished competitors and instructors.  She is a 6th Degree CNS Black Belt, 4th Degree Black Belt in UFAF Krav Maga, Hyper Black Belt Level 2, a multi-time UFAF ITC Grand Champion, Female Competitor of the Year, and a recipient of UFAF’s Most Inspirational Award.  With over two decades of training & leadership experience, Andi is a full time instructor, a member of the UFAF Training and Development Committee and the UFAF Krav Maga Alpha Team.   Adult Seminar: From Reps to Results - Perfect the Pattern with Kata Drills that Build Confidence and Consistency This seminar is built specifically for adult participants who want to sharpen their kata for belt testing or competition — without mental fatigue or burnout. The goal is simple: Get more meaningful reps without the burnout. Through creative drills, structured training methods, and purposeful exercises, students will learn how to disguise repetition — allowing them to train longer, stay engaged, and build stronger, more consistent kata performance. This seminar will focus on: • Improving kata consistency and precision • Breaking forms into purposeful sections • Building confidence for testing or competition • Training with focus, intention, and enjoyment This is not about changing traditional kata.  It’s about training it better. Students will leave with practical tools they can immediately apply to their personal training — whether preparing for a test or stepping onto the competition floor. If you want your kata to feel sharper, stronger, and more intentional — and you want to enjoy the process again — From Reps to Results is a seminar you won’t want to miss. Register Early & Save Big Registration for UFAF ITC 2026 will open soon, and the best pricing won’t last forever. If you’re planning to attend, now is the time to secure your spot. Important Hotel Reminder Be sure to book your room at the Rio using the official UFAF room block.   https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/LASDH/G-UF26 You’ll need your Rio confirmation code to receive the maximum discount on your ITC registration—this step is required, so don’t wait.  Reserve your room now! More world-class instructors will be revealed soon, and this is just the beginning. We can’t wait to see you in Las Vegas for another unforgettable ITC. Train hard. Dream big. UFAF ITC Team CLICK HERE - BOOK YOUR ROOM NOW

Instructor Reveal #6 - A Sparring Blueprint with a World Champion

 

UFAF ITC 2026 Registration Opens Friday, Feb. 6 UFAF ITC 2026 just leveled up. We are proud to officially reveal Instructor #6… Instructor Reveal #6 Rigoberto Cardenas Rigoberto Cardenas Jr. is a 7th Degree Black Belt in the and a 5th Degree Black Belt in . He is also a Purple Belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with 7 years of dedicated training. His martial arts journey began in 1992, and since then, Master Cardenas has devoted his life to competition, instruction, and mentorship. A highly decorated national and international competitor, his accolades include: 11-time CNS World Champion in Sparring 7-time CNS World Champion in Kata Multiple Chuck Norris Cup Titles CNS Male Competitor of the Year (2007 & 2015) Senior Competitor of the Year (2017 & 2024) Beyond the trophies, Master Cardenas spent 22 years as a KICKSTART KIDS instructor at Hogg Middle School, shaping young lives through discipline, leadership, and character. His philosophy is simple and powerful: Distance and timing equals dominance. Adult Seminar: Master Cardenas’ philosophy is simple and powerful: Distance and timing equals dominance.  At the UFAF ITC 2026, Master Cardenas will deliver a high-energy, hands-on sparring seminar designed for those ready to sweat, work, and improve.  In this session, you will: Learn the core principles of elite sparring Train the exact drills and exercises Master Cardenas uses in his own preparation Develop better timing, distance control, and movement Apply everything through sparring-based drills and live application This class is designed to be challenging, educational, and fun — and it culminates with the opportunity to spar and put your new skills to the test.  The goal is simple: Take your sparring skills to the next level with a proven blueprint for success. If sparring matters to you… If competition matters to you… If growth matters to you… You’ll want to be on the mat for this one. Register Early & Save Big Registration for UFAF ITC 2026 will open soon, and the best pricing won’t last forever. If you’re planning to attend, now is the time to secure your spot. Important Hotel Reminder Be sure to book your room at the Rio using the official UFAF room block.   https://www.hyatt.com/en-US/group-booking/LASDH/G-UF26 You’ll need your Rio confirmation code to receive the maximum discount on your ITC registration—this step is required, so don’t wait.  Reserve your room now! More world-class instructors will be revealed soon, and this is just the beginning. We can’t wait to see you in Las Vegas for another unforgettable ITC. Train hard. Dream big. UFAF ITC Team CLICK HERE - BOOK YOUR ROOM NOW