Welcome to Marcellini’s Martial Arts Academy offering Brazilian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ), Kickboxing (Muay Thai Kickboxing) and other classes for adults and children!
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Kickboxing and Self Defense classes designed FOR EVERYONE!! Classes taught by Sam Marcellini.
Since 2000, Marcellini’s Martial Arts Academy has been a premier training center known for excellence in the Inland Empire. We pride ourselves in having a safe and effective program that anyone regardless of age, size, or fitness level can benefit from. Our mission is to provide an authentic martial arts program that is conducive to self-awareness and betterment of our students.
We work with experts in character development for our children’s program and altercation de-escalation for all ages. Although we teach our students to avoid confrontations, when self-defense becomes necessary it is crucial to have the knowledge and skills to stay safe whether standing in striking range or grappling on the ground. Sam Marcellini shares curriculums, expertise and knowledge from some of the best schools in the world. Sam has an extensive training background with legends in both grappling and striking arts.
Although there are many Jiu-Jitsu schools that we consider a part of our family, we find that our training methods and choice of techniques differs a great deal as we focus solely on the self-defense aspect of Jiu-Jitsu rather than sport Jiu-Jitsu. As a young martial arts instructor, Sam started training with Royce Gracie and his father Grandmaster Helio Gracie in 1994 and has been a dedicated part of the team ever since. Royce Gracie’s early victories in the UFC revolutionized the world of martial arts by contributing to a movement towards grappling and ground fighting. As a sparring partner of Royce Gracie and an undefeated fighter himself, Sam Marcellini was the second person ever to receive a black belt from Royce Gracie in California.
Sam is also a dedicated student of the original Mejiro gym style of kickboxing, a style that emerged to develop the best strikers in the world. The Mejiro gym style was the first non-Thai school to have success in the brutal and realistic Muay-Thai competitions in Thailand. Mejiro gym is renowned for developing many legendary fighters including Toshio Fujiwara, the first ever non-Thai stadium champion in Thailand, as well as Rob Kaman, a nine-time World Muay-Thai Kickboxing Champion. Sam was the first person ever to become a certified instructor under Rob Kaman in the US.
If you are looking for a complete self-defense system, Sam has spent a lifetime studying and blending striking and grappling arts together to achieve just that. His system and instruction hold great value to everyone, from the first-timer to the expert.
Kid’s Martial Art Programs
Children learn effective self-defense techniques while developing focus, confidence and discipline. Our children’s programs put a strong emphasis on character development. The qualities that students develop in our classrooms will help them succeed in all areas of life.
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Adult Martial Arts Programs
Adult programs are designed to teach students valuable techniques while providing students with a complete and fun workout. Classes are a great way to relieve stress and get in shape.
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INSTRUCTORS
Our chief instructor Sam Marcellini is an educator with a passion for promoting mental Clarity, self-awareness, and personal growth. Sam Marcellini personally teaches all the classes at our only location in Riverside California. Sam’s classes focus on the technical and artistic aspects of the martial arts so that students achieve high levels of self-defense without injury. Additionally, Royce Gracie teaches special classes each year and has promoted all of our adult Jiu-Jitsu students for over 21 years. Our instructors teach their students how to apply proper leverage and technique, giving them the tools to defend themselves against much stronger opponents.
Our Clients love us!
Sam teaches more than just how to defend yourself. He teaches you how to defuse a bad situation. He teaches confidence in yourself. I love everything about this class. Sam makes every class fun. The attitude of everyone here is helpful and patient. I can’t say enough good things things about Sam and his schools.
- Nicole Murphy
Sam Marcellini is the best! All of his students love him, he has so much patience and teaches them self discipline and control!
- Lillan Bower
Marcellini’s martial arts academy is great. The instructor (Sam Marcellini) is amazing. Training is very comprehensive and well-rounded.
- Daniel Riordan
Marcellini's Martial Arts Academy is a genuinely special place. The lead instructor, Sam Marcellini, is an incredibly skilled martial artist as well as a gifted teacher (the two don't always go hand in hand!). Furthermore, the facilities are always clean, and the atmosphere is very friendly and welcoming. I really can't recommend it enough.
- Tom Cardiff
Sam Marcellini is great!!! He has a unique way of getting technique across to his student whether it’s a beginner or advanced. I have been involved in Martial Arts over 25 years and have visited more than a dozen Jiu-Jitsu schools and have not seen teaching done even close to what Sam does.
- Andrew Grigoleit