Sifu Pablo Cardenas

Sifu Pablo Cardenas

Founder & Principal Instructor | United Martial Arts & Fitness

Founder & Principal Instructor
40+ Years Martial Arts Experience | Serving Townsville Since 2005 | Level 10 Wing Chun Instructor | Diploma in Sports Coaching – Martial Arts | Level 1 Boxing Coach | Street Edge Krav Maga Instructor | 21-Year Australian Army Veteran

Sifu Pablo Cardenas is the founder and Principal Instructor of United Martial Arts & Fitness (UMF) in Townsville, bringing more than four decades of martial arts experience to the Academy.

Beginning his martial arts journey at just 14 years of age, Pablo has dedicated much of his life to martial arts, practical self-defence, coaching and helping students develop greater confidence, discipline and resilience.

His approach to teaching is shaped not only by decades of martial arts training, but also by 21 years of service in the Australian Army. This combination of martial arts knowledge, coaching experience and real-world perspective has helped shape UMF's practical approach to training.

Wing Chun Kung Fu

Pablo's primary martial arts foundation is Wing Chun Kung Fu.

He trained under Grandmaster William Cheung, a direct student of the legendary Grandmaster Ip Man, placing Pablo within an internationally recognised Wing Chun lineage.

Pablo holds Level 10 Instructor status in Wing Chun Kung Fu and has spent decades studying, practising and teaching the system.

His teaching focuses not simply on learning techniques, but on understanding structure, timing, distance, efficiency, awareness and the practical application of martial arts skills.

Military Experience

Pablo served for 21 years in the Australian Army, including service as a medic and deployment with INTERFET in East Timor.

During his military career, he had opportunities to train and interact with members of Australian and international military organisations.

This experience contributes to Pablo's practical philosophy toward self-defence: techniques must be functional, understandable and appropriate to the situation.

Qualifications & Experience

Pablo's martial arts and coaching background includes:

• Level 10 Wing Chun Kung Fu Instructor
• Diploma in Sports Coaching – Martial Arts
• Level 1 Boxing Coach
• Street Edge Krav Maga Instructor
• More than 40 years of martial arts training and experience
• More than two decades of martial arts instruction in Townsville
• 21 years Australian Army service
• Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame inductee

What Pablo Teaches at UMF

At United Martial Arts & Fitness, Pablo specialises in:

• Wing Chun Kung Fu
• Street Edge Krav Maga
• Practical self-defence
• Boxing and striking fundamentals
• Instructor and leadership development
• Martial arts mindset, discipline and character development

Pablo's philosophy is that martial arts should develop far more than physical ability. Students should become more confident, disciplined, resilient and capable of making better decisions under pressure.

That philosophy remains at the heart of United Martial Arts & Fitness today.

Train with Sifu Pablo

Discover practical martial arts and self-defence training backed by decades of first-hand experience.

Explore Wing Chun Kung Fu | Explore Street Edge Krav Maga | BOOK YOUR TRIAL CLASS

At UMF, becoming an instructor is about far more than achieving rank. Our structured Instructor Development Program develops skilled martial artists into capable coaches, leaders, mentors and professional instructors

CAREER PATH AT UMF

Pablo served 21 years in the Army:

• Selected for EX LONGLOOK an exchange program with the UK Ministry of Defence.
• Deployed on International Force East Timor (INTERFET), with a mission to restore peace and security to East Timor.

Pablo has trained with numerous military units around the world:

• US Army,
• US Marine Corps,
• UK Royal Marines,
• UK RAMC 16 Armoured Field Ambulance,
• UK Territorial Army,
• Gurkhas to name a few.

Pablo remains active in the Australian Army as a reservist.

As a professional martial arts instructor, Pablo has obtained many qualifications to provide a richer student experience. These are not limited to technical and training courses, and include community service.

Pablo’s qualifications include:

• Instructor Level 10 (examination by Grandmaster William Cheung)
• Martial Arts Australia Certified Instructor
• Registered Martial Arts Professional
• Diploma in Sports Coaching: Martial Arts
• Level 1 Boxing Coach Queensland
• Street Edge Krav Maga Instructor

I’m honoured to be inducted into the Australasian Martial Arts Hall of Fame! A.M.A.H.O.F. (Inc) and W.K.U.H.O.F.  Decades of dedication, teaching, and mentoring have shaped countless students, instilling discipline, respect, resilience, and growth. This recognition celebrates my lifelong commitment to martial arts and the legacy of empowering the next generation across Australasia and beyond. 

I was deeply honoured to receive both a personal call and message of congratulations from Vitaliano Gallardo, the Ambassador of Peru to Australia

Sifu Pablo was privileged to be guided by Sifu Ian Protheroe, The Classical Wing Chun Network a leading figure in Australian Wing Chun. His mentorship deeply influenced UMF’s foundation—instilling timeless values of discipline, respect, and excellence that continue to shape our academy and inspire every student who walks through our doors.

Fostering Martial Arts Brotherhood | United Martial Arts & Fitness

At UMF, we believe martial arts transcends borders. That's why we proudly partner with like-minded academies beyond our local area—schools that uphold the same values of discipline, respect, and personal excellence.

This isn’t about competition. It’s about connection. Together, we strengthen the global martial arts community.

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Emilio Cardenas

Sifu Emilio Cardenas

Senior Instructor | Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt | Judo | Multi-Discipline Martial Artist

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Judo | Wing Chun Kung Fu | Muay Thai | Boxing/Kickboxing | Street Edge Krav Maga | Kids Martial Arts

Sifu Emilio Cardenas has spent much of his life immersed in martial arts, progressing from a young UMF student to one of the Academy's most experienced multi-discipline instructors.

His experience across striking, grappling, traditional martial arts and practical self-defence gives Emilio a broad understanding of how different martial arts systems work and how they can be taught effectively to students of different ages and abilities.

Today, Emilio plays a major role in coaching and developing both children and adults at United Martial Arts & Fitness.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Emilio is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt, representing years of consistent training, technical development, coaching and practical experience on the mats.

His approach to BJJ & Judo focuses on technical understanding, positional awareness, control, problem-solving and continuous improvement.

As both a practitioner and coach, Emilio works to help students understand not only individual techniques, but how those techniques connect together during live training.

Multi-Discipline Experience

In addition to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Emilio has extensive training and teaching experience across:

• Wing Chun Kung Fu
• Muay Thai
• Boxing and Kickboxing
• Street Edge Krav Maga
• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
• Children's martial arts
• Practical self-defence

This broad experience allows Emilio to understand martial arts from multiple perspectives rather than viewing every situation through a single system.

Qualifications & Coaching Experience

Emilio's martial arts and professional development includes:

• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt
• Level 10 Wing Chun Kung Fu
• Boxing coaching experience
• Muay Thai training and instruction
• Street Edge Krav Maga training and instruction
• Sports and recreation qualifications
• Extensive experience coaching children, teenagers and adults
• Ongoing training with respected martial arts instructors and practitioners across multiple disciplines

Selected Training & Mentorship

Throughout his martial arts journey, Emilio has sought opportunities to train with and learn from highly respected martial artists, coaches and instructors from Australia and internationally.

This continued exposure to different instructors, systems and training methodologies forms an important part of Emilio's development as both a martial artist and teacher.

Rather than treating black belt or instructor status as the end of the journey, Emilio continues to train, study, test and refine his knowledge.

What Emilio Teaches at UMF

Emilio's teaching roles at United Martial Arts & Fitness include:

• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
• Muay Thai
• Boxing/Kickboxing
• Wing Chun Kung Fu
• Street Edge Krav Maga
• Kids martial arts programs
• Competition preparation and development
• Leadership and instructor development

His coaching philosophy places strong emphasis on technical development, consistency, accountability and helping students recognise what they are capable of achieving through committed training.

Developing the Next Generation

A significant part of Emilio's role at UMF involves working with younger students.

Martial arts provides an opportunity to teach children skills that extend well beyond kicking, punching or grappling.

Confidence, respect, perseverance, self-control, teamwork and the ability to respond positively to challenges are all important parts of their development.

Emilio works alongside the UMF instructor team to create an environment where children can be challenged while receiving the guidance and support needed to progress.

Train with Sifu Emilio

Whether your goal is Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, striking, practical self-defence or helping your child develop through martial arts, UMF provides a structured pathway for continued development.

Explore Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Judo | Explore Muay Thai & Boxing | Explore Kids Martial Arts | BOOK YOUR TRIAL CLASS

At UMF, becoming an instructor is about far more than achieving rank. Our structured Instructor Development Program develops skilled martial artists into capable coaches, leaders, mentors and professional instructors

CAREER PATH AT UMF

Emilio has trained with numerous remarkably qualifed instructors such as:

Master Fari Salievski

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Combatives & Muay Thai Kickboxing Mentor

Master Fari is UMF’s Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Combatives and Muay Thai Kickboxing mentor. Together, we form a worldwide network of like-minded schools committed to building strong students, inspiring leaders, and a better martial arts future.  Master Fari Salievski

Master Fari is the No. 1 rated coach in Asia 2017. Fari’s internationally acclaimed Top Team is made up of World Champions. Our amazing network includes:

• Dual Weight Division World Champion, Martin “The Situ-Asian” Nguyen
• 3-time Australian Champion, Theo Christakos
• American wrestler, multiple UFC fighter and MMA Champion, Brian Junior Ebersole

Fari, One of Asia’s Top 5 Coaches In Martial Arts

Supporting Martial Arts Unity | United Martial Arts & Fitness

UMF maintains relationships with respected martial arts academies and instructors outside our service area who share our commitment to discipline, respect, continued learning and martial arts excellence

Paul Johnstone

Paul is the designer of the Street Edge Krav Maga training. He is the official Australian representative and only instructor to personally train and be qualified under Nir Maman. Paul has unrivaled experience, making Street Edge Krav Maga Australia’s #1 Defensive Tactics program

He has dedicated the past 30 years to the martial arts and defensive tactics. He has trained with several distinguished martial arts masters and defensive tactics subject matter experts.

Paul has qualifications in:

• law enforcement firearms
• defensive tactics instructor,
• investigations and security contingency preparedness at both the state and federal levels.
• Master Firearms Instructor,

Paul is a former Firearm, Defensive Tactics and Officer Survival Instructor (Operational Safety Trainer) for the Australian Federal Police, New South Wales Police Service and he is a certified Officer in Charge/Range Safety Officer for the Kabul Military Training Centre (KMTC) in Kabul, Afghanistan.

He has also received black belts in Karate and has accreditation as an instructor in:

• Israeli Special Forces Krav Maga
• Kapap (Israeli Combatives)
• SFC Combatives
• Edged Weapons
• and is the founder and chief instructor of Street Edge Defensive Tactics.

Street Edge Krav Maga is profoundly well designed and developed in the needs for real world self-defence and draws on the success of its founder for depth of understanding and effectiveness. It is number one for that reason.

Come and train in the number one self-defence program at UMF Academy.

Robert Nolan

Robert Nolan

Judo Mentor to United Martial Arts & Fitness

Robert Nolan is an experienced Judo practitioner and instructor who contributes to the wider martial arts knowledge and professional development network surrounding United Martial Arts & Fitness.

His experience in Judo provides valuable additional perspective in areas including throws, takedowns, balance, gripping, movement and standing grappling.

Judo Knowledge & Mentorship

Robert provides Judo mentorship and coaching to Sifu Emilio Cardenas, contributing additional throwing, takedown and grappling knowledge to Emilio's continuing development as a martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu instructor.

Judo and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu have different competitive structures and technical priorities, but there is considerable value in understanding both disciplines.

Exposure to experienced Judo coaching allows UMF instructors to continue expanding their understanding of standing grappling and how those principles can complement broader martial arts training.

Why UMF Values External Mentorship

UMF does not believe achieving instructor status means there is nothing left to learn.

Our instructors continue to train, seek knowledge and learn from experienced martial artists across different disciplines.

That ongoing development helps ensure the knowledge brought onto the UMF mats continues to evolve.

Ultimately, the benefit belongs to our students.

Explore Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu & Judo at UMF | Meet Our Instructors | BOOK YOUR TRIAL CLASS

If you live in Mackay and are ready to begin your martial arts journey, connect with Robert for experienced instruction in Boxing, Judo and Wing Chun Kung Fu contact Robert Nolan