Business Details
50+ Years
experience
Empowering Lives Through Martial Arts in Riverside & Orange, CA
Since 1972, USKO Martial Arts has been dedicated to empowering individuals through transformative martial arts training. Founded by Sensei Joe Pagliuso, our academy fosters a welcoming family environment where students of all ages develop self-defense skills, physical fitness, and personal growth. With two California campuses in Riverside and Anaheim, we offer comprehensive programs in Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Karate, and Kickboxing for beginners to advanced practitioners. Our experienced instructors, including 7th-degree black belt Joey Pagliuso and World Kata champion Nina Pagliuso, combine decades of expertise with structured curricula to cultivate discipline, confidence, and mental focus.As an approved vendor for Charter schools, we integrate martial arts training with essential life skills development. Through competitive sparring, kata practice, and community engagement, we help students achieve their personal and martial arts goals while maintaining a supportive learning environment.
Services
Jiu Jitsu
Muay Thai
Karate
Kickboxing
Kids Martial Arts
Sparring Training
Kata Practice
Charter School Programs
Details
- Year established: 1972
Highlights and features
- We offer comprehensive martial arts programs for all skill levels since 1972
- Our instructors include 7th-degree black belts and World Kata champions
- We provide Charter school-approved life skills development programs
- We maintain a supportive community environment for all age groups
- We offer free trial classes to experience our training facilities
Services
Adult Jiu Jitsu
Our Adult Jiu Jitsu program teaches ground combat techniques through controlled holds, locks, and submissions. Students develop positional awareness and defensive strategies while building physical conditioning. The curriculum emphasizes practical self-defense applications and competitive grappling skills in a structured training environment.
Kids Karate
Designed for young practitioners, our Kids Karate program focuses on traditional striking techniques, forms (katas), and discipline. Children learn proper stances, blocks, and controlled movements while developing respect, focus, and coordination through age-appropriate instruction methods.
Muay Thai
Our Muay Thai program trains students in the 'Art of Eight Limbs' using punches, kicks, elbows, and knee strikes. Participants master striking combinations, defensive techniques, and clinch strategies for both self-defense applications and competitive ring scenarios through comprehensive drills and sparring.
Kickboxing
This program combines boxing and kicking techniques to develop well-rounded striking abilities. Students practice dynamic combinations, footwork drills, and defensive maneuvers while improving cardiovascular fitness and muscle coordination through structured training sessions.
Charter School Programs
Approved by multiple Charter schools, our youth programs integrate martial arts training with life skills development. Instructors focus on improving concentration, discipline, and self-confidence through structured curricula that complement academic learning and personal growth objectives.
People
Joey Pagliuso
Head Instructor
7th-degree USKO black belt with 30+ years experience, former K1 kickboxer, and one of only two Americans to compete in the K1 Max Final 16.
Nina Pagliuso
Instructor
3rd-degree USKO karate black belt with multiple World Kata championship titles, specializing in traditional form instruction for youth and adult students.
Paul Arras
Head Instructor - USKO Riverside
Experienced third-degree black belt and MMA veteran with expertise in practical self-defense applications and competitive fight preparation.
Ray Gallardo
Head Muay Thai Instructor
Specialized Muay Thai instructor with extensive competition experience, focusing on technical precision and effective clinch fighting strategies for students.
Jose Arias
Instructor
Certified martial arts instructor with expertise in youth program development and foundational skill training for beginners of all ages.
Questions
What martial arts styles do you teach?
We offer Jiu Jitsu, Muay Thai, Karate, and Kickboxing programs for adults and children.
Do you have classes for beginners?
Yes, all our programs accommodate beginners with structured progression to advanced levels.
Are trial classes available?
We provide free trial classes so you can experience our training environment and instruction quality.
Do you work with Charter school students?
Yes, we're an approved vendor for multiple Charter schools offering life skills development programs.
What locations do you serve?
We have academies in Riverside (6794 Brockton Ave) and Orange (1424 E Katella Ave).
Reviews (6)
J. M.
Jan 06, 2022
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Critical:Communication,Professionalism,Quality,Value
We had a terrible experience here and regret signing our son up at USKO. Unethical and money hungry company. Definitely would not recommend.
We had a terrible experience here and regret signing our son up at USKO. Unethical and money hungry company. Definitely would not recommend.
Tom Monahan
Oct 17, 2021
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The trainers are great with the kids and adults, that was 2 years ago now its not nowhere near as good first of all they switch trainers alot 2 ND my boys ha e gone there for the last 8 years the oldest got hurt not bad but it was the trainers fault when his grandmother went to talk to the trainer he was rude and did nothing but tried and over talk her so I called 6 or 7 times wanted to talk to Joey he the owner and trainer of usko I guess we wasn't worth his time he wouldn't come to the phone or call us so I have now took my boys out of usko and putting them at a different marshall arts school
Omar Cabanas
Aug 25, 2021
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We signed up my son for some kickboxing classes, uniform was included in the package. Long story short, we have been asking to provide my son with the rest of the equipment for more than a month. keeping an existing customer is not their priority as long as they have your card on file. They also told me to buy the rest out of pocket, they wont credit me or refund anything out of their pocket. The instructors are awesome don't get me wrong, its management that needs to step it up and be more discipline and lead as example.
Michelle T.
May 13, 2021
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I enrolled my son in karate about 2 months ago and he absolutely loves it. I love that he's learning focus and discipline while still having a blast. All of the instructors are great, and Sensei Andres in particular is so good with the kids, balancing discipline while still making sure they are having fun. I haven't experienced any of the bad customer service issues in other reviews, and in fact have had a very pleasant experience with every aspect of this location so far. Sign up was easy, didn't feel in any way pressured, and the price is actually not outrageous like I feared.
Von V.
Apr 21, 2021
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It's my sons 2nd week and he loves it! I needed to put him in something cause he was just bottling all his energy especially during covid. Once they opened i signed him up immediately and I'm so happy i did. The gym is nice and clean. Very simple and the perfect size.
Christy Donnelly
Sep 02, 2020
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I've always been athletic, toned, tonight tho, i feel my age, out if shape with Jell-O muscles, yet my mind set has felt this amazing in years, my instructor was incredible, my anxiety and panic not controlling me. I hate the fact I will not have the ability to come back as I can not afford it. But major thank you to you all whom helped and did more for me then you will ever know. I would of loved to train here. you changed my life
