The United States Judo Association (USJA) has officially recognized Zoltan Bathory, founder and guitarist of Five Finger Death Punch, as a Yodan (4th Degree Black Belt) in Judo.
The certificate was formally presented by Shihan Joseph Marchal, 8th Dan Judo Olympian and former USA Judo Board of Director together with Mike Swain, Judo World Champion and U.S. Olympian, during the Professional Grappling Federation (PGF) Hall of Fame ceremony.
A lifelong martial artist, Bathory began his Judo journey at the age of 9, training through the rigorous Eastern European system before immigrating to the United States.
Over four decades later, his promotion to Yodan stands as recognition not only of his technical mastery but also of his enduring dedication to martial arts and his work as an ambassador for the sport.
In addition to his Judo credentials, Bathory is also a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt (1st degree) and an active competitor.
Known for his precision takedown game and high-level grappling IQ, he has consistently placed on the podium in major tournaments, including earning silver medals at the U.S. Nationals in both the Super Heavyweight and Absolute divisions.
Bathory serves as a takedown coach and stand-up specialist for the Gracie Humaitá Las Vegas Competition Team, where he focuses on integrating Judo-based techniques into competitive Jiu-Jitsu.
His seminars titled “Judo for Jiu-Jitsu” and “Stand-Up for Grapplers” are in high demand internationally, offering insight into efficient, competition-adapted transitions from throws to submissions.
Beyond his personal achievements on the mat, Bathory is a co-owner of the Professional Grappling Federation (PGF), a team-based Jiu-Jitsu league that merges traditional martial arts philosophy with modern sports structure.
The PGF has quickly become one of the most dynamic organizations in grappling, streaming worldwide on platforms such as UFC Fight Pass and YouTube.
For Bathory, martial arts is a lifelong discipline that has shaped his entire worldview:
Martial arts is not something you casually do. You become a martial artist.
You live by the Bushido, the principles of martial arts, and that rewires your mind so you see the whole world from that perspective.Everything becomes a chess game. Life is the art of war. Obstacles are just challenges.
Every situation is winnable in some way… So you don’t quit, you find the way.That mindset is responsible for all my success.
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