Sam Marcellini is the 2nd person to receive a black belt from me in Ca, and he’s been training with me since 1994. He’s one of the few guys that has spent a lot of time training with me personally and he’s been my sparring partner for my fight preparations. Sam is very patient, and great with kids! Sam is a very good instructor, I highly recommend him to anybody looking to learn my family’s style of Jiu-Jitsu.

ROYCE GRACIE

Legendary Mixed Martial Arts competitor

Sam Marcellini was one of my first students in the U.S. I have a lot of respect for his hard work and dedication to the arts. He is one of my best students and the very first certified instructor under me in the US.

Rob Kaman

Nine Time World Thai Boxing Champion

“Sam is a complete Martial Artist who has always trained with the best guys, Sam is very open-minded and is a great teacher for all ages, Sam is one of the most well-rounded Martial Artists I know.”

Ricco Chiaparelli

Managed and Coached Randy Couture
U.S. Open & World Cup Freestyle Wrestling Champion

Sam never settled for less than the best, he wanted the BEST school that he could have! Sam is very dedicated, he gives 100%! Sam’s very unique style of Shorin Kung Fu & Gracie Jiu-Jitsu incorporates mind, body & spirit. “Martial Arts develops discipline, self-control & shapes your personal life.” “To be complete, you must have all these.”

Grandmaster Gene Brigham

6 time Kumite (Full-Contact) Champion in Asian competitions

Student Testimonials

Training at Marcellini’s Martial Arts has been a valuable experience. Working with 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. It would be worth it to learn how to defend yourself in a very practical way. Sam makes this happen rather quickly. Thank You Sam!!

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 even close to what Sam does.

Master Andrew Grigoleit
5th Dan TaeKwonDo, & 1st Dan HapKiDo.

Having my kids and I train with Professor Sam Marcellini for close to two years now, I can truly say that he is the best Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt Instructor in the Martial Arts profession.

My kids love going to his basic kids classes as well as his advanced Black Belt Club for kids. My wife and I have seen them become more respectful and focused in school and Jiu-Jitsu has helped them become more confident with the daily challenges they face. For these reasons and having experienced first hand the respect and attention to details that Professor Marcellini shows to his students, I would not train anywhere else.

In addition, you have the benefit of getting to know and practice with World Champions such as Royce Gracie, Royler Gracie and Rodrigo Gracie.

My wife and I have seen them become more respectful and focused in school and Jiu-Jitsu has helped them become more confident with the daily challenges they face.

F. Daniel Cruz, MD
Board Certified Medical Doctor

Legendary, extraordinary!!! These are just two of the words that describe the caliber of instructors and the curriculum taught at Marcellini’s Martial Arts Academy.

This is why I travel 3- 4 hours round trip to learn from the best in the Inland empire and arguably the best in Southern California. I’m a long time Martial Arts enthusiast and I’m honored to train with the best of the best.

Whether someone wants self-defense, fitness or to one day compete in MMA professionally. This is the place to be!!!

Miguel A Sanabria
San Diego, CA
United States Navy

As a police officer I understand the value of having a strong foundation and knowledge of self defense. That is why I desire to train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. I sought a school where the instructor is both humble and knowledgeable. I discovered Marcellini’s Martial Arts after reading a testimonial, just like the one you are reading now. When I first to visited the academy, I discovered an atmosphere that I felt comfortable in. I was greeted by Sam Marcellini, who spoke to me about the value of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

I have been training with Sam Marcellini for approximately one year now, and I have nothing but praise for him and his instruction. He is a devoted teacher of the martial arts, and a sincere human being. I have learned a lot during my time training with Sam. The art of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu has had a positive effect on my life as well as my career. I encourage you to come train in the art of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, here at Marcellini’s.

Matt Collins

I have been training at Marcellini’s Martial Arts Academy for about four years. After doing karate for several years I really wanted to get into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Though there are numerous places near where I live, which is Hemet, none seemed to satisfy the type of training I was looking for. They either made false claims of providing skilled Jiu-Jitsu instruction, or were flaky instructors who had no social skills whatsoever.

So once I found MMAA I knew I found the training atmosphere I wanted. Sam Marcellini is not only and excellent instructor, but a good person who strives to get the best out of all his students. The atmosphere is excellent, with all kinds of people, from all types of professional and ethnic backgrounds training there. I would not get my Jiu-Jitsu instruction anywhere else, period.

Luciano J. Savala
High School Teacher

At Marcellini’s Martial Arts Academy (MMAA) I take a Jiu Jitsu class. I am fifteen years old the class I am taking teaches students about self-defense. As a woman, it is easy for a guy to over power me because of the difference in strength. However, in Marcellini’s Martial Arts, woman can also do the moves because it takes no strength. Women have a better chance to defend themselves using Gracie Jiu Jitsu technique. I like this class because Sensei Sam Marcellini makes sure everyone understands how to do the technique. He helps any student who has a question about the move. The technique he teaches us are not just for show, they are moves that can seriously injure a person of they are done right. My favorite part of the class is when we grapple because we have a chance to flow with the moves we learn.

I believe that MMAA has changes my life in many ways. I feel more confident in knowing that I can defend myself if I am ever attacked. I know how to avoid being in a bad situation. For instance, if a stranger is following you, it is important not to appear weak. MMAA has also changed me internally because I can control myself when I feel angry. Marcellini’s Martial Arts Academy has a very nice environment and is an excellent way to meet new people. Sensei Sam is a great instructor because you can tell that he cares about his students and cares about their safety. Sensei values a student on how much they have fun in class and how much skill student has.

Rosanne Montez

My name is Alex Aboutalebi. I have started martial arts when I was eight years old. I was certified with the rank of first-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do when I was eleven. Now, I am 14 years of age and a freshman in Canyon High School in Orange County. I am an advance orange belt in Kung Fu and a level one yellow belt in Royce Gracie Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. What I think of Marcellini’s Martial Arts Academy (MMAA) is that it is the best martial arts studio that I know of.

The best instructor Sensei Sam Marcellini makes it that way. Out of all the instructors I have met, he is the best. I travel from Orange County to Beverly Hills three times a week to practice with Sam Marcellini. This is not only about technique, but its way of life. Sensei Sam Marcellini is a very good instructor he teaches everyone as a group but if someone does not understand or needs help he will work with you individually. His class is not exactly the easiest but he teaches you more than anyone else. He teaches you to have respect for others and to listen when people are talking to you or teaching you something. What Mr. Marcellini teaches is for both mind and body. In addition, he is a very good martial arts instructor. He teaches how to protect yourself in a real street fight. What Sam Marcellini teaches can and may save you in the streets.

This is what I truly think about MMAA and instructor Sam Marcellini.

Alexsander N. Aboutalebi