Meet Kikin Ucelo | Martial Arts Instructor 🥋

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kikin Ucelo and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kikin, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
At Ucelo Martial Arts Phoenix, we help build stronger people—mentally and physically. Every journey has a beginning, sometimes a challenging one, but with consistency, discipline, and the right guidance, incredible growth can happen. Our mission is to help shape confident individuals today who will become the leaders of tomorrow.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Ucelo Martial Arts Phoenix was built on a simple belief: martial arts should develop not only strong athletes, but strong human beings. What sets us apart is our family-centered culture. We focus on building confidence, discipline, leadership, and a true sense of belonging for every student who walks through our doors. We are most proud of watching our students achieve their goals, grow into confident leaders, seeing families come together in support of one another, and witnessing students stay with us for years—many eventually becoming instructors who now help guide the next generation.

Our journey has not been easy. Like many small family businesses, we have faced challenges and moments where persistence was the only option. What helped us overcome those times was consistency, the support of our community, and staying true to our mission. Along the way, we learned that success is never built overnight—it is built through daily effort, strong relationships, and a long-term commitment to serving others.

What we want the world to know is that Ucelo Martial Arts Phoenix is more than a dojo; it is a family-driven community where people discover what they are truly capable of in a positive, no-judgment environment. Our story continues to be written every day by the students and families who step onto the mat and choose to grow with us. Today, we are proudly on Chapter 22 of our journey, having served our community from the same location since October 2003.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend were visiting, the first stop would be my home—and then straight to the dojo. No doubt. Hahaha.

Sample Week-Long Itinerary

Day 1 – Welcome to Phoenix

Morning training session and introduction at Ucelo Martial Arts Phoenix

Lunch: Authentic Mexican food (Phoenix has some of the best)

Evening: Explore historic downtown Glendale and enjoy the local shops and dessert spots

– Culinary Experience

Korean BBQ

Italian dinner

Authentic Mexican cuisine
(Those three are the must-have culinary experiences.)

Day 2- 3 – Arizona Nature

Day trip to Sedona for hiking, red rock views, and sunset photos

Day 4 – Classic Western Experience

Attend a local rodeo

Day 5 – Historic Arizona

Visit Prescott to walk Whiskey Row, explore local shops, and enjoy the small mountain-town vibe

Day 6 – Bucket-List Adventure

Full-day trip to the Grand Canyon / Antelope Canyon—among the most breathtaking natural wonders in the world

Day 7 – Community & Celebration

Final training session at the dojo

Group dinner featuring Sonoran hot dogs with students and friends from the dojo, because the most fun and inspiring people to spend time with, for me, are right there on the mats—our martial arts family.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would dedicate my shoutout first to my family. To my parents, who taught me the value of hard work, perseverance, and staying true to my principles from a very young age. To my wife, who stands beside me every day with unwavering support, helping turn vision into reality, and to my children, who inspire me constantly to lead by example and continue building something meaningful not only for our family but for our community.

I am also grateful to the many students, families, mentors, and community members who have trusted us over the years. Their belief, encouragement, and continued support have played a huge role in shaping both my personal journey and the growth of Ucelo Martial Arts Phoenix.

Website: https://www.ucelomartialartsphoenix.com

Instagram: @kikinucelo @ucelomartialartsphoenix

Facebook: @kikinucelo @ucelomartialartsphoenix

Youtube: @ucelomartialarts

Other: Tiktok
@ucelomartialartsphoenix