Unbridled Martial Arts | MMA for Fitness & Self-Defense in Bellingham WA

Rob Eis: School Organizer & Instructor

For 40 years, Rob Eis has been dedicated to the practice of martial arts. Inspired by live action Japanese superheroes he watched as a child on TV growing up in Hawaii, Rob’s martial arts career began with the study of traditional Shito-ryu and Goju-ryu Karate at the age of 10. By age 15 he was competing internationally and that year he was the youngest member on the U.S. Junior National Karate Team. Since then, he has studied a multitude of styles that he now teaches to others, including Doce Pares Escrima, Shamrock Submission Fighting, Judo, Western Boxing, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, JKD concepts, and Muay Thai kickboxing. Learn more

Student Testimonials

Passion, Skill, ongoing Knowledge and Professional. To find qualities such as these at a Martial Arts School can be rare. To find them all in one Instructor is even rarer. Rob Eis and his Unbridled Martial Arts School have all of these. Rob’s Passion to his school, students, and his training are noticeable from the first time you meet him. He devotes a lot of his own free time to provide training to all of his students. Those who pay him and those he teaches due to his passion for his Art. He provides a great deal of useful knowledge for a minimal fee; he doesn’t waste your time with outdated training or tradition. His Skill is well documented, yet he is not overbearing or unapproachable to ask questions. He provides a full range of Martial Arts instruction with great skill. He continually seeks new training to incorporate into his teachings. His ongoing Knowledge lets his students and other Instructors know that he has an open mind and is always looking to improve. He is eager to learn and will try new material and not tie his hands to one way. This provides his students with a wide variety of information to constantly work with. Rob is a true Professional. He is a hard worker, a great self-promoter and an up standing citizen. Rob proves it’s not Quantity but Quality. He provides a safe, clean and fun training facility with energetic instruction. His students share in Rob’s energetic teaching and create a great atmosphere. I recommend Rob Eis and Unbridled Martial Arts to anyone looking for great Instruction, well-rounded training, a safe environment, and professionalism.

~ Robert Ellsworth, Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office

I’ve found martial arts training to be a fantastic way to relieve the stresses of modern life and a great way to keep in shape while pursuing the obvious goal of learning a self defense discipline. Whether you can only go once in awhile, or several times per week, I can’t say enough good about the training. I always leave feeling refreshed and energetic and that helps me to tackle a hectic schedule. Also, I’ve been plagued with back troubles for most of my adult life and the workouts and stretching do wonders for keeping my back in order. I’ve known Rob for about 7 years and met him when I first began my martial arts journey. Rob was a lead instructor at a local martial arts school, where I trained previously, before beginning his own school. I’ve trained with him in several different martial arts disciplines and I know Rob to be very dedicated, knowledgeable, and experienced in the various training methods. In addition to being a skilled trainer and teacher, he has a wealth of knowledge and a great proficiency in the martial arts. In addition to his qualifications I know him to be very patient and caring with his new trainee’s, as well as an all around great guy!! Whether you’re an experienced practitioner, or have no experience and a desire to try out martial arts, you couldn’t ask for a better teacher and I encourage you to go for it!

~ Paul Murphy, Patrol Deputy for the Sheriff’s Office

I trained at UMA on and off for several months and really enjoyed the experience. Previously I studied Shotokan karate for ten years in New Orleans and Muay Thai Kickboxing at another Bellingham school for a few months. I really appreciated Rob’s level of knowledge, training, and technical skill, and the way that he seamlessly combines traditional concepts and techniques with newer and less universal techniques. His classes are well-structured and I appreciated knowing how each class would proceed every evening – starting off with intensive conditioning and ending with the application and practice of core martial arts concepts. So in each class I was able to strengthen and condition my body, as well as practice sparring, working on combos, take-downs, etc. The instructor’s many years of experience are evident – he draws from his diversified and extensive experience regularly, exposing students to a wide range of information, resources, and making evident his impressive skill level.
The facilities are extremely clean, a rare thing in MMA gyms and martial arts schools. Everything has its place and is very organized. I was very impressed with the extensive array of equipment that is made available for the students to use.
While the classes are very structured, the environment is laid-back and casual; all are welcome to come and train and you aren’t made to feel inadequate. In fact, Rob customizes the classes to individual ability and levels of training. So while one group of more experienced students is performing a specific exercise, a newer group with less experience can still participate at a modified level.
The cost is unbeatable and only further serves to show the dedication of the instructor; he is doing this solely for his love of martial arts, not for the money. Having worked out at another local MMA gym where I was scammed out of more than $1,000, I really appreciate this about UMA.