Jeff Glover - 4th-Degree Black Belt & Founder of Donkey Guard

1. Jeff Glover’s Details

2. Jeff Glover’s Biography

Jeff Glover, also known as “the Pipelayer,” is a 4th-degree BJJ black belt under Ricardo Miller. He represents Paragon Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at international competitions. Glover is famous for creating an original position known as the donkey guard, which is often perceived as clumsy by other practitioners due to the way it is applied. But it is Jeff Glover who exhibits perfection while applying his favorite technique.

2.1. Jeff Glover’s Early Life

Jeffery Dean Glover or Jeff Glover was born in East Los Angeles, California in the United States of America on April 15, 1983.

Glover often said that he didn’t have many options so he chose Jiu-Jitsu because it was either jail or Jiu-Jitu. So the latter one appealed to him more. BJJ was his way of expressing his emotions that were always so heightened. He coped with Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in his early life.

2.2. Hyperactive Child

In his early childhood, Glover was diagnosed with ADHD. He often got into trouble at school due to his hyperactive energy. To channel his energy into something productive, he got into jiu-jitsu.

“I needed Jiu-Jitsu. That’s all there is to it. I needed this ****.”
(Jeff Glover)

Before BJJ, Glover was aware of submission wrestling only. He had watched some submission wrestling fights.

2.3. Ricardo “Franjinha” Miller

When Glover was 16 years old, Ricardo “Franjinha” Miller moved to his neighborhood. Glover visited his house to welcome his new neighbor. Miller invited Glover into his house and told him about himself and BJJ. Franjinha helped the young talent in learning BJJ. This was the first time Glover heard about BJJ.

2.4. Starting Jiu-Jitsu at 16 Years Old

After Glover learned BJJ, he decided to get into the sport. At 16 years old, Glover started his BJJ training under Miller.

He paid little to no attention towards his high school study.

2.5. Paragon Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Miller is the founder of Paragon Jiu-Jitsu Ventura located in Santa Barbara, California. He moved to the United States with the aim of forming his own BJJ institute. Glover serves as one of Paragon Jiu-Jitsu’s representatives on the international stage.

“Another thing that Jeff Glover has: drills. Little physical drills, that make you better at the movement, that make you better at Jiu-Jitsu.”
(Jocko Willink)

2.6. Aiming to Compete in the Absolute Division

Early in his career, Glover competed in the featherweight and lightweight divisions. However, his aim was to compete in the absolute weight division. Eventually, Glover was able to compete in international championships that many fighters didn’t step for at the colored belt division.

2.7. Jeff Glover at Cobra Kai Jiu-Jitsu

After winning multiple World Championships as a brown belt, Glover decided to train with other talented practitioners. He would often visit Marc Laimon’s BJJ institute, Cobra Kai Jiu-Jitsu, located in Las Vegas, Nevada. He had decided to become a professional BJJ grappler since the day he started BJJ training. So he remained true to his aim and gave his all time to it.

2.8. Started Teaching at Cobra Kai Jiu-Jitsu

Glover trained at Cobra Kai Jiu-Jitsu every one to two months. Impressed by Glover’s dedication towards jiu-jitsu, Laimon asked him to become a BJJ instructor at Cobra Kai Jiu-Jitsu. After becoming a black belt, Glover accepted the offer and started teaching at Cobra Kai Jiu-Jitsu.

3. Jeff Glover’s Fighting Style

Video Credit: @Scott Knows Nothing

Glover attacks from all angles, whether top, bottom or diagonal. He is often referred to as a “human monkey” due to his unpredictable movements.

“If I had to explain my style in a nutshell, it would be that of a monkey.”

There isn’t a single match of Glover where he didn’t amuse his audience. Regardless of whether Glover is winning or losing, he always provided a show. Known for the efficient use of Donkey Guard, Glover applies it and then transitions to submissions.

“I can’t go into a match too serious. One thing I don’t want to overdue is putting on a boring match, regardless of if I win or lose.”
(Jeff Glover)

Glover got his nickname, “the Pipelayer,” due to once working as a plumber.

4. Jeff Glover’s Travels

Videos Credit: @BudoVideos.com

Glover’s Travels is a series of YouTube videos created by Jeff Glover himself. In these videos, Glover visits different BJJ schools and gyms to train with different practitioners. In one of the videos, he showed his medals and told how proud he is of himself.

In the second episode of the series, Glover trained at Gracie Barra, talked about its legacy, and how Gracie Barra has been at the top of BJJ World Championships since their inception.

5. Jeff Glover’s BJJ Matches

5.1. Blue Belt National Champion

Glover started BJJ at the age of 16 and was a blue belt by the time he turned 18 years old. He even became a National Champion as a blue belt.

5.2. Grapplers Quest

Glover competed in the Grapplers Quest in 2004 against Mike Fowler as a purple belt. Fowler is famous for his half-guard techniques. Despite being a tough match, Glover emerged victorious.

5.3. IBJJF Pan American Champion

In 2006, Glover won first place at the IBJJF Pan Championship as a brown belt. He even won a Gold medal.

5.4. Promoted to Black Belt

Before Glover’s 23rd birthday, his coach Miller awarded him with a black belt on April 8, 2006.

5.5. IBJJF World No-Gi Champion

In 2007, Glover became the IBJJF World No-Gi Champion as a black belt.

6. Jeff Glover’s Historic Fights

6.1. Jeff Glover Vs. Ben Eddy

Video Credits: @PlugOneTwo

Ben Eddy is a 10 Planet black belt under Eddie Bravo. Glover had competed in Gi and No-Gi BJJ, making him adequately prepared to compete while Eddy’s jiu-jitsu moves. Glover showed his exceptional fighting style by aiming straight for Eddy’s neck and wrapping his legs around it.

Eddy caught Glover from the back and seemed to have him trapped, but Glover managed to escape. Glover responded by executing the donkey guard. At the end of the match, Glover escaped Eddy’s grip while keeping a hold of his back. Glover finally went for the Knee Bar and subdued Eddy after eight minutes and 16 seconds.

6.2. Jeff Glover Vs. Mike Fowler

Video Credits: @Grapplers Quest

Mike Fowler is a 3rd-degree BJJ black belt under Lloyd Irvin. He is a tough competitor who has competed in the lightweight and middleweight divisions. Glover at this point was a purple belt. Both grapplers fought aggressively, with Glover charging but Fowler keeping him at bay. In the end, Glover subdued Fowler via armlock.

6.3. Jeff Glover Vs. Robson Moura

Robson Moura is a 6th-degree BJJ black belt under Andre Pederneiras. He is a member of the IBJJF Hall of Fame due to having won multiple championships. Moura is the founder of Robson Moura Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

During the match, Glover tried to stay on top of Moura. However, Moura being an experienced grappler, knew how to escape and stay in the dominant position. Eventually, Moura tried to apply an Americana but failed to subdue Glover due to his speed. Finally, Glover applied a Guillotine and subdued Moura within nine minutes into the match.

7. Jeff Glover’s Championship History

Year	Event	Belt	Position
2007	IBJJF World Championship No-Gi	Black	1st
2011	ADCC World Championship	Black	3rd
2012	World Jiu Jitsu Expo Superfight Winner	Black	1st
2014	EBI Invitational	Black	2nd

8. Jeff Glover’s Championship (Medals)

8.1. ADCC World Championship

9. Jeff Glover’s Main Achievements (Belts)

Year	Event	Belt	Position
2005	IBJJF Pan Championship	Brown	1st
2006	IBJJF Pan Championship	Brown	1st

10. Jeff Glover’s Main Achievements

10.1. Gi Tournaments

Year	Event	Weight Class	Position
2005	IBJJF Pan American Championship	Featherweight	1st
2006	IBJJF Pan American Championship	Featherweight	1st
2012	World Jiu Jitsu Expo Superfight Winner	Featherweight	1st

10.2. No-Gi Tournaments

Year	Event	Weight Class	Position
2007	IBJJF World Championship No-Gi	Featherweight	1st
2011	ADCC World Championship	Featherweight	3rd
2014	EBI Invitational	Featherweight	2nd

11. Jeff Glover’s BJJ Professional Record Breakdown

54 Matches	34 Wins	17 Losses
By Submissions	23	1
By Points	8	11
By Advantages	2	2
By Decision	1	1
By Penalties	0	0
By EBI / OT	0	2
Draws	3

11.1. Submission W/L Methods

Submission Method	23 Wins	1 Losses
Triangle	6	0
Kneebar	2	0
Darce Choke	2	0
Arm in Guillotine	1	0
Flying Triangle	1	0
Armbar	1	1
Guillotine	4	0
Bow and Arrow	2	0
Rear Naked Choke	2	0
Heel Hook	1	0
Choke	1	0

12. Jeff Glover’s BJJ Fight History

13. Jeff Glover’s BJJ Top Fight Links

Photo Credit: @jeffgloverbjj