Instructors & Staff

US Blackbelt Academy is fortunate to enjoy training by some of the most accomplished teachers, trainers, and fighters in the martial arts, including Royce Gracie. Our instructors have spent many years devoted to training in the martial arts and have attained a level of expertise to qualify them as teachers and also mentors.

Through extensive testing, certification and tournament level competition, our staff has attained mastery in various martial arts and now enjoy sharing their skills and passing these on to their students. Here are a few of U.S. Blackbelt Academy’s instructors and staff members, beginning with USBA’s owner, Master Ivan Kravitz:

Master Ivan Kravitz, Owner/Instructor

Master Kravitz

Awards and Recognition:

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

Royce Gracie, Director of Jiu-Jitsu Instruction 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, Primary 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

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

Royler Gracie, Guest Instructor of Gracie Jiu-Jitsu 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

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.

Lon Richards, Program Director

Lon Richards, Program Director Mr. Richards is our Program Director…he has recently been promoted to Black Belt 2nd Dan. He is responsible for our school’s current success, as he is head of our enrollment department, and USBA’s success coach. He is in the top 2% of his field, and we are very proud to have him here at USBA.

Hector Lavin, Instructor

Hector Lavin, Instructor
Mr. Lavin is a student favorite at USBA. He has enjoyed 20 years of experience in martial arts, and brings his enthusiasm and skills to classes daily for the benefit of his students. Among his accomplishments:

3rd degree Black Belt in TaeKwonDo (W.T.F)
Member of T.K.D. Chilean Team 1991-1998
National Champion (Chile) 1993-94-95-97-98
1st Place International T.K.D. Championships, Bolivia 1997
1st Place International T.K.D. Championships, Santiago, Chile 1994
2nd Place Sudamerican T.K.D. Championships, Chile 1993
Participation in 11th World T.K.D. Championships, New York 1993
Participation in 2nd U.S Open Championships, Colorado Springs 1993
Participation Pan American T.K.D., Peru 1997
Participation U.S. Open T.K.D. 2003
Martial Arts Instructor since 1997
Student/Instructor at USBA since 2006
Blue Belt, Royce Gracie Jiu-Jitsu

Sheila Orio, Student Service Manager

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

Sophia Koo, Assistant Instructor 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.