Martial arts experts Sifu (masters) Anthony Fontana and Phil Cruz are bringing their Unlimited Martial Arts academy experience from New York to Miami on September 16th in collaboration with the world famous 5th St. Gym operated by Dino Spencer. UMA will serve the South Beach community as a training and fitness studio found within the world renowned 2300 square ft. 5th St. Gym, who is known for training great fighters including Muhammad Ali, George Foreman and Sugar Ray Leonard as well as countless celebrities such as Victoria Secret model Adriana Lima and Grammy winner Cedric Gervais. The academy will offer a variety of different classes from Jeet Kune Do to one-on-one personal training sessions on and off the beach.For the UMA Miami launch, Fontana aims to provide his students with the tools they need to perform to their fullest, while strengthening their body and mind, helping them to achieve their fitness and self-defense goals.
Sifu Anthony Fontana is a certified personal trainer and trained in numerous martial arts with over 20 years of experience under his belt. He has trained exclusively under Sifu Phil Cruz in Jeet Kune Do, the Filipino Martial Arts, and Muay Thai. He also studied under Guro Ron Balicki and Diana Inosanto, Bruce Lee’s god daughter, and represents MARS (Martial Arts Research Systems). He is an instructor of SAMICS (Self Defense & Martial Arts Institute Combat Systems) under Peter Weckauf, a leading European instructor in combative systems and currently is training underLionel Fabregue of Kong Performance and PFA (Panuntukan France Association) to teach these methods in the US. Most recently, Fontana was recognized by Guro Dan Inosanto, Grand Master Fred Degerberg and acknowledged by Guro Ron Balicki, and was awarded his 2nd Degree Black Belt in the Degerberg Blend.
Although the striking arts is Fontana’s main passion, he believes in the importance of being a well-rounded martial artist as situations and tactics change when a fight goes to the ground or if a weapon is involved. Inspired by Bruce Lee’s philosophy stating, “Research your own experience. Absorb what is useful, reject what is useless, add what is essentially your own,” he continues to work with renowned teachers to enhance his training and find his own unique expression of the arts.
UMA Miami offers a diverse array of martial arts beyond traditional training to men and women with classes including Jeet Kune Do, Muay Thai, Filipino Boxing, Weapons (Kali) and MMA. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and Capoeira will be introduced later in the year. A Battle-Ready circuit-based group class prepares participants for an actual fight, without the risk or pressure of actual harm. Group cardio and strength training classes, and two children’s programs including the “Little Dragons” for ages 8-13 and “Little Koi” ages 4-7.
The History of 5th St. Gym:
The 5th St. Gym opened 1950 when Chris Dundee began promoting big time boxing in Miami Beach. It quickly became the celebrated University of Boxing, overseen by Chris, the “Wizard of Oz”, and his brother Angelo, the “Prince of Oz”. The gym was a magnet for a wide range of international celebrities including Joe Louis, Rocky Marciano, Jackie Gleason, Malcolm X, The Beatles, Sean Connery, Frank Sinatra and Sylvester Stallone, among others. Boxing people the world over sent their fighters to be trained at the 5th St. gym, creating countless world champions, such as Carmen Basilio, Willie Pastrano and of course, Cassius Clay (Muhammad Ali). After Angelo Dundee passed away in 2012, Dino Spencer, Dundee’s student and protégé who trained under world-renowned trainer Freddy Roach, and Tom Tsatas, took the reigns as operating owners to revive the marvel that is the 5th St. Gym, sustaining the legacy of its predecessor. Dino teaches the art of conditioning, boxing and a new found sport of MMA to youth, women and new-comers. Today the gym sees almost every professional boxer in the world walk through the doors as well as countless celebrities.
Location: UMA is located within 5th St. Gym at 1019 5th Street, Miami Beach, Florida
Website: umamiamibeach.com
Phone: 305-907-7436
Instagram: @umamiamibeach
UMA Miami Class Schedule:
Mondays – Little Koi’s 2:30PM-3:00PM; Little Dragons 3:15PM-4:00PM; Dirty Boxing 5:30PM-6:30PM, JKD 7:30PM-8:30PM, Thai Boxing 8:30PM-9:30PM
Tuesdays: Adv Juniors (kids green belt+) 3:30PM-4:15PM, Thai Boxing 5:30PM-6:30PM, JKD 7:30PM-8:30PM, Thai Boxing 8:30PM-9:30PM
Wednesdays: Little Koi’s 2:30PM-3:00PM, Little Dragons 3:15PM-4:00PM, FMA Weapons 5:30PM-6:30PM, JKD 7:30PM-8:30PM, Dirty Boxing: 8:30PM-9:30PM
Thursdays: All kids: 3:30PM-4:15PM, JKD 5:30PM-6:30PM, Weapons 7:30PM-8:30PM, Thai Boxing 8:30PM -9:30PM
Saturdays: Thai Boxing 1:15PM-2:15PM, JKD 2:15PM-3:15PM