Zoltan Bathory , of Five Finger Death Punch pursued martial arts and has just earned his black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Bathory announced his most recent achievement last Saturday, the 13th, when he received his black belt from his instructors. These instructors are Master Royler Gracie, a four-time world champion and seventh-degree black belt, and Professor Mica Cipili, a black belt and fifth-degree world champion in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
The artist has practiced a variety of martial arts over the years. Zoltan Bathory is also a black belt in judo and a practitioner of Wing Chun Kung Fu under Grand Master Randy Williams. In addition, he received his instructor certificate from the US Army Modern Combatives Close Quarter Combat program under Professor John Simons III and Professor Iako Kalili.
Bathory began exploring Jiu-Jitsu in 2008, after training with Master Gracie.
“I’ve practiced judo since I was nine years old, but I’ve always been interested in Jiu-Jitsu because I knew about the open challenge of the Gracie family (which later became the UFC). Famous martial artists traveled to Brazil to fight against them, and the Gracies remained undefeated decade after decade,” says Bathory.
“Many years later, as an adult, I finally had the opportunity to go to the source and train with the most well-known martial artist of all time (alongside Bruce Lee), the legendary Royce Gracie. After the session, I asked for my white belt and began my journey in Jiu-Jitsu,” he concluded.
According to Bathory, he traveled around the world with the Master's brother, Royler Gracie, who is one of the most decorated Jiu-Jitsu fighters of all time. He attended several of Gracie's seminars, regardless of where they were. After a while, Bathory joined Professor Mica Cipili's team in Las Vegas, where he has been for 12 years.
Some people wonder how Bathory managed to balance his time between music, managing the band, and martial arts. He explains that all of the band's security guards are black belts in Jiu-Jitsu.
“It’s a requirement for the position so that I can train while we’re on the road. When I’m home, I train at Gracie Jiu-Jitsu academies in Las Vegas, and I also have a personal dojo at my house,” he stated.
