# PJ Barch ("PJ")

> Black Belt | United States

## Overview

**Name:** PJ Barch

**Nickname:** PJ

**Belt Rank:** Black Belt

**Nationality:** United States


## Bio

PJ Barch was born on October 9, 1989, in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States of America, growing up in Delaware.

Raised in a family with strong wrestling roots it was easy to assume that young Barch would one day be interested in grappling. With that in mind, PJ’s father had him training in a series of obstacle courses and challenges from a very young age, something he did with the intent of improving Barch’s body awareness, for a possible wrestling career at a later stage.

Although eager for PJ to practice the sport they loved, Barch’s parents wanted their son to choose wrestling by his own accord and didn’t force him on to the mats. Barch tried soccer and gymnastics before he asked his family to sign him to a wrestling program, something that happened in 5th grade (pewee division).

Although he thoroughly enjoyed wrestling, Barch shared his passion with other activities, namely surfing and American football. As he grew PJ realized he wasn’t big enough to make it in professional football, and his focus started leaning towards wrestling. By his freshman year, Barch was fully committed to the mats, placing 5th statewide in his sophomore year.

Competing for the Sussex Central Highschool during his senior year, PJ Barch received All-American status at multiple events, including Beast of the East. He would go on to wrestle at a Division 1 university (the Bloomberg University of Pennsylvania [2009]) and although he could not break the starting line up, Barch traveled throughout the year competing.

Struggling with a few personal issues, Barch decided to drop university two years in, later (2011) moving to Hawaii to finish college and pick up surfing again. It was while stationed in Hawaii that PJ found jiu-jitsu after a few local friends convinced Barch to visit BJ Penn’s gym in Hilo. In less than one year, PJ started competing in mixed martial arts (MMA), amassing a 2-0 record.

While in Hawaii Barch trained under the tutelage of JD Penn, later spending time in Portland, where he discovered Nathan Orchard and the local 10th Planet Academy. His relationship with the 10P team grew strong and when PJ moved to Stockholm – Sweden he sought Magnus Hansson, the team’s representative in the region. It was Magnus who awarded Barch his blue belt.

In 2015 PJ moved to San Diego. Coincidentally this happened to be the year when  Richie Martinez  opened his own 10th Planet affiliate in the region. Barch signed on to the “Boogeyman” gym and quickly became one of Richie’s most respected students, earning his purple, brown and black belts from Boogey, the latter in a ceremony led by the team’s leader,  Eddie Bravo , on November 2016.

PJ Barch vs Pat Sabatini Highlights

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**Last Updated:** March 21, 2026

**Data Source:** BJJ.Space (https://bjj.space/people/pj-barch-a1480880ca3f)