Instructors & Staff

Master Ivan Kravitz, Owner/Instructor

Chief Master Instructor
5th Degree Black Belt, Tae Kwon Do
Black Belt, Hung Ga Kung Fu
Brown Belt, Gracie Jiu-Jitsu under Royce Gracie
Training with Ganyao Fairtex, of Fairtex Muay Thai, San Francisco

Awards and Recognition:

2005 International Martial Arts Association “Hero” Award for Leadership.
2004 International Martial Arts Association Award for “Fastest Growing School”
2003 International Martial Arts Association Award for “Best Student Service”

Master Ivan Kravitz is our Chief Instructor and founder of US Blackbelt Academy. A pioneer in the modern day martial arts industry, Master Kravitz has enjoyed over twenty five years as a martial artist, athlete and teacher. He currently holds the rank of 5th Degree Black Belt and continues to train and learn a variety of arts to add to our Multi-Style training system.

When asked about his passion for the martial arts, Master Kravitz comments, “I fell in love with the Martial Arts when I was only 8 years of age and that love keeps getting stronger everyday. The only thing greater than my love for the Martial Arts is the passion I have for my family and my students.” As a Multi-Style Martial Arts athlete, Master Kravitz trains daily, oversees our dojo operations and personally selects and trains all of our growing force of Black Belt Instructors.

Following the vision of Ivan Kravitz, USBA has become a mixed martial arts school, in the true meaning of the phrase. The arts that have been blended together to date, into our USBA curriculum, are: Chinese Kung Fu, Royce Gracie Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Tae Kwon Do, Muay Thai, Wrestling, Judo, Kali/Escrima, Full Contact Kickboxing, Boxing, Xtreme Martial Arts and weaponry.

Master Kravitz is an Advisory Board Member for the Educational Funding Company (EFC), the industry’s leading Martial Arts Tuition and Management Company. He has also been an active participant in civic minded programs such as Child Safety and Awareness seminars, Rape Prevention programs, and has made initiatives with law enforcement and community service representatives across the country to promote safer and better informed children and parents.

Ivan Kravitz resides in sunny Southern California with his beautiful wife, Rachel Kravitz, who is also a highly skilled athlete and dedicated teacher. Together, they lead a very active lifestyle that continues to have a very positive impact and influence on the lives of many.

Royce Gracie, Guest Instructor and Director of Jiu-Jitsu Curriculum

USBA is Orange County’s only school for Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu.

The legend of the Gracie family began in Brazil with Royce’s father, Helio Gracie. Today Royce Gracie is privileged to spread the techniques perfected by his father all over the world. Throughout his busy fighting career, Royce has maintained a rigorous travel schedule of seminars and classes, including frequent visits to USBA to the delight of USBA students.

More information about Royce Gracie, and Gracie Jiu-Jitsu, is available right here on USBApride.com.

Rodrigo Gracie, Principal MMA Instructor

Rodrigo Gracie is a frequent visitor and instructor at USBA, and is primarily responsible for the MMA curriculum at the school. Rodrigo Gracie was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil to a Jiu-Jitsu master, Reylson Gracie. Rodrigo received his black belt from Reylson Gracie at the age of 19.

Ganyao Fairtex, Guest Instructor and Director of Muay Thai Training

USBA is fortunate to have Ganyao Fairtex as its Muay Thai Kickboxing Director and frequent guest instructor. Ganyao has trained three Lumphini Stadium champions and ten world champions.

Royler Gracie, Guest Instructor

USBA is proud to host seminars taught by the most prominent members of the Gracie family, including Royler Gracie. Photos of Royler’s most recent visit to USBA can be viewed on Flickr, linked from the photo album section of our website.

Royler Gracie was born in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, the fifth son of Grandmaster Helio Gracie. He started Jiu-Jitsu at the age of three and has been competing as a Black Belt for more than twenty years. During his career, he has had more than 300 matches and has won the World Championship four years running along with several national and regional titles. He has been one of the most active Jiu-Jitsu competitors in history, always ready to test himself against people of all sizes holding many different titles.

Rachel Kravitz, General Manager

Mrs. Kravitz is a Graduate of University of Montana where she earned her MBA. She had worked in the corporate world for over 10 years, before deciding to pursue her dream of living the Black Belt lifestyle. Mrs. Kravitz, like most of the USBA staff, has earned her Black Belt. Rachel is a huge asset to USBA, as she is the General Manager of day to day operations.

Sheila Orio, Student Service Manager

Ms. Orio is a Graduate of the University of Hawaii, where she earned her B.S. in Travel Industry Management. She has worked with Hyatt Hotels as a Front Desk Manager before joining US Blackbelt Academy in 2006. She is currently a Blue Belt in Gracie Jiu-Jitsu under Royce Gracie, and has already earned her USBA Black Belt. She is a valuable asset here at USBA, where she heads our Student Service Department.

Sophia Koo, Public Relations

Ms. Koo graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in English. She has over 10 years of sales and marketing experience, in a variety of industries. For the last 4 years, she was a Branch Manager and Executive recruiter for a Fortune 500 recruiting firm. Sophia has earned her black belt at USBA, and is also studying Gracie Jiu-Jitsu. Martial Arts is her passion and is looking forward to sharing that discipline with you and your family.