Jeff Glover
“The Pipelayer”
Source: bjjheroes.comJeff Glover invented the donkey guard, helped pioneer deep half guard, and took ADCC bronze — then came out of a seven-year retirement to keep using them.
Biography
Sources for this profile
BJJ Heroes, "Jeff Glover" fighter profile.(opens in a new tab)
Jeff Glover's full name is Jeffrey Dean Glover.
Where in the source: Jeff Glover Jiu-Jitsu — Full Name: Jeffrey Dean Glover
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Jeff Glover was born on 15 April 1983 in East Los Angeles, California, USA.
Where in the source: Jeff Glover's Biography — Jeff Glover was born on the 15th of April 1983 in East Los Angeles, CA
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Glover's nickname "The Pipelayer" comes from his earlier work as a plumber.
Where in the source: Nickname: He is called "The Pipelayer" because he used to be a plumber.
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Glover's black-belt lineage runs Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rolls Gracie > (Romero "Jacare" Cavalcanti) > Ricardo Miller > Jeff Glover.
Where in the source: Lineage: Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rolls Gracie > Jacare > Ricardo Miller > Jeff Glover
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Jeff Glover is a jiu-jitsu black belt under Ricardo "Franjinha" Miller.
Where in the source: Intro — a jiu jitsu black belt under Ricardo "Franjinha" Miller
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Glover won the IBJJF Pan American Championship gold medal in the brown-belt featherweight division in both 2005 and 2006.
Where in the source: Main Achievements (Colored Belts) — 1st Place IBJJF Pan Championship (2006 / 2005 brown belt)
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On 8 April 2006, a few days short of his 23rd birthday, Jeff Glover received his black belt from Ricardo "Franjinha" Miller — his first and only instructor — after winning his second Pan American gold medal in the brown-belt division.
Where in the source: Jeff Glover's Biography — on the 8th of April 2006 ... Jeff Glover received his black belt from the hands of Ricardo "Franjinha" Miller, his first and only instructor
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BJJ Heroes independently lists Glover's 2007 IBJJF World Championship No-Gi title as his top achievement.
Where in the source: Main Achievements — 1st Place IBJJF World Championship NoGi (2007)
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At the 2011 ADCC World Championship, Glover's first-round opponent in the -66kg bracket was Tom Barlow, whom he defeated on points; he lost the semifinal to Rubens "Cobrinho" Charles on points 6x0.
Where in the source: Jeff Glover Fight History — Tom Barlow W Points ADCC 66KG R1 2011 / Rubens Charles L Pts: 6x0 ADCC 66KG SF 2011
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In the third-place match of the 2011 ADCC World Championship (-66kg), Glover defeated 6-time world champion Robson Moura by guillotine choke to win bronze.
Where in the source: Jeff Glover Fight History — Robson Moura W Guillotine ADCC 66KG 3PLC 2011
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BJJ Heroes' fight-history table records Glover losing to Caio Terra by armbar at Metamoris (2012) and then beating Terra 10x6 on points at World Expo (2012), matching the score BJJ Fanatics reports for the same rematch.
Where in the source: Jeff Glover Fight History — Caio Terra L Armbar Metamoris ABS SPF 2012 / Caio Terra W Pts:10x6 World Expo ABS SPF 2012
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BJJ Heroes lists a 2nd-place finish at the EBI Invitational (2014) among Glover's main achievements, with its fight-history table recording submission wins over Sergio Hernandez, Eric Medina and Ben Eddy before an EBI-overtime final loss to Geo Martinez.
Where in the source: Main Achievements — 2nd Place EBI Invitational (2014); Fight History — Geo Martinez L EBI/OT EBI 65KG F 2014
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Glover created "Glover's Travels," a series of YouTube episodes in which he traveled around the United States interviewing and training with some of the country's best coaches.
Where in the source: Intro — gained notoriety through his series of episodes named "Glover's Travels"
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BJJ Heroes attributes the shape of Glover's post-black-belt competition record to physical wear: finger injuries he struggled with throughout his career kept him from entering gi (kimono) tournaments more regularly, while the site rates his submission-wrestling record outstanding. The source frames this as a loss to gi jiu-jitsu rather than a choice of style, and places the remark directly after his April 2006 black belt promotion, as the closing line of its biography.
Where in the source: Jeff Glover’s Biography — “Unfortunately for Jiu-Jitsu, Glover struggled with some finger injuries throughout his career which prevent him from fighting in Gi (kimono) tournaments more regularly, though his Submission Wrestling tournament record is outstanding.”
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Wikipedia, "Jeff Glover", article infobox.(opens in a new tab)
Wikipedia independently states Jeff Glover was born April 15, 1983 in East Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Where in the source: Infobox — Born: April 15, 1983 (age 43), East Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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Jeff Glover is described as an American submission wrestler and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt.
Where in the source: Lead — Jeff Glover (born April 15, 1983) is an American submission wrestler and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt
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Wikipedia's infobox lists Glover's rank as 4th degree Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under teacher Ricardo Miller.
Where in the source: Infobox — Teacher: Ricardo Miller / Rank: 4th degree Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
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Jeff Glover holds a 4th-degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Where in the source: Infobox — Rank: 4th degree Black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
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Wikipedia's medal record, citing official IBJJF results, independently lists Pan-American Championship gold in the brown-belt featherweight division for both 2006 and 2005.
Where in the source: Medal record — Pan-American Championship: 2006 Featherweight (brown) / 2005 Featherweight (brown)
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Glover won gold at the 2007 World No-Gi Championship (featherweight, black belt) and silver at the 2008 World No-Gi Championship (featherweight, black belt).
Where in the source: Medal record — World No-Gi Championship: 2008 Featherweight (black) / 2007 Featherweight (black)
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Wikipedia's career section states Glover holds a notable submission win over 6-time black-belt world champion Robson Moura at the 2011 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championship.
Where in the source: Career — a notable submission win over 6-time black belt World champion Robson Moura at the 2011 ADCC
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In 2014 Glover was a color commentator for Metamoris III and Metamoris IV; at Metamoris IV he and Baret Yoshida were surprise competitors in the much-hyped "secret match," which ended in a draw.
Where in the source: Career — At Metamoris IV he and Baret Yoshida were surprise competitors in the much-hyped "secret match", that ended in a draw
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Wikipedia independently confirms Glover returned to competition after 7 years retired to face Urijah Faber in a Combat Jiu-Jitsu match at A1 Combat 21 on May 25, 2024, and was submitted via a rear-naked choke.
Where in the source: Competition return — After spending 7 years retired from competition, Glover returned to face Urijah Faber
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Elite Sports, by Oscar Pereira, June 9, 2023.(opens in a new tab)
Elite Sports lists Jeff Glover's nationality as American, born in Los Angeles, CA, USA.
Where in the source: Jeff Glover's Details table — Nationality: American
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Elite Sports independently lists Glover's rank as 4th-Degree BJJ Black Belt, awarded by Ricardo "Franjinha" Miller.
Where in the source: Jeff Glover's Details table — Rank: 4th-Degree BJJ Black Belt / Awarded by: Ricardo "Franjinha" Miller
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As a child Glover was diagnosed with ADHD, often got in trouble at school for his hyperactive energy, and channeled that energy into jiu-jitsu; he is quoted saying "I needed Jiu-Jitsu. That's all there is to it."
Where in the source: 2.2. Hyperactive Child — In his early childhood, Glover was diagnosed with ADHD
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Elite Sports independently describes the same arc: Glover trained periodically at Marc Laimon's Cobra Kai Jiu-Jitsu in Las Vegas, and after Laimon noticed his dedication, Glover was asked to become an instructor there and accepted after receiving his black belt.
Where in the source: 2.8. Started Teaching at Cobra Kai Jiu-Jitsu — Laimon asked him to become a BJJ instructor at Cobra Kai Jiu-Jitsu
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Elite Sports independently describes "Glover's Travels" and notes that in one episode Glover trained at Gracie Barra and discussed its legacy at the top of BJJ World Championships.
Where in the source: 4. Jeff Glover's Travels — Glover trained at Gracie Barra, talked about its legacy
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Jiu Jitsu Legacy, by Bobby Bradshaw, last updated 02.08.2023.(opens in a new tab)
Jiu Jitsu Legacy independently confirms the plumbing-job origin of the "pipelayer" nickname.
Where in the source: How Jeff Supported His BJJ Dream — This is how Jeff would earn one of his many nicknames, "the pipelayer."
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Jiu Jitsu Legacy independently states Glover began his jiu-jitsu journey at age sixteen at Paragon Jiu Jitsu, where owner/head instructor Ricardo "Franjinha" Miller became his mentor.
Where in the source: Jeff Glover's Entry Into BJJ — began his Jiu Jitsu journey at the age of sixteen at Paragon Jiu Jitsu
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Glover was one of the early innovators of the deep half guard, one of the most widely used guards in modern BJJ, and is also credited with pioneering stability-ball training, using a stability/yoga ball as a stand-in opponent to work balance and positional transitions.
Where in the source: Deep Half Guard Expert — Jeff was one of the early innovators of the deep half-guard
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Glover is known for his prowess with the D'arce choke, has traveled the world giving seminars on his setups for it, and has released instructional material on the technique.
Where in the source: Darce Choke Master — has traveled the world giving seminars on how he sets up his Darce Choke
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Jiu Jitsu Legacy independently confirms Glover's Metamoris commentary role led to a surprise super-fight against veteran Baret Yoshida that ended in a draw.
Where in the source: Jeff Glover's Influence in BJJ Super-Match Events — The two would fight to a draw in one of the event's most exciting matches
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At the inaugural Metamoris event, Glover lost to world champion Caio Terra by armbar, but won the rematch at the World Jiu-Jitsu Expo event; BJJ Fanatics gives the rematch score as 10-6, matching BJJ Heroes' own fight-history table for the same bout.
Where in the source: Jeff Glover's Influence in BJJ Super-Match Events — Caio would win the match by armbar, but Glover won the rematch at the World Expo event
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At the inaugural Eddie Bravo Invitational (EBI) in 2014, Glover was a favorite in the featherweight tournament, submitting his first three opponents, but was edged out by Geo Martinez in overtime in the final.
Where in the source: Jeff Glover's Influence in BJJ Super-Match Events — Geo would edge out Glover in EBI overtime to win the first EBI event
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BJJ Fanatics, "Jeff Glover Record, Net Worth, Weight, Age & More!" fighter bio page.(opens in a new tab)
At 16, Ricardo "Franjinha" Miller moved a few houses from Glover to open his own academy, Paragon; the teenage Glover introduced himself and was invited in and introduced to Jiu-Jitsu, his first exposure to the art (his only prior grappling exposure being pro wrestling).
Where in the source: Jeff Glover Bio — When he was 16 Ricardo "Franjinha" Miller moved three houses from Jeff
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Glover threw himself completely into training, stopped attending high school so he could make morning classes, and by age 18 was a blue-belt national champion.
Where in the source: Jeff Glover Bio — by the time he was 18, he was a blue belt national champion
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As a first-year brown belt Glover won his first Pan American gold in 2005, then repeated the win in 2006, submitting all four of his opponents that year before receiving his black belt from Franjinha.
Where in the source: Jeff Glover Bio — submitting all 4 of his opponents and receiving his black belt from Franjinha
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The donkey guard proved controversial: Gracie Tournaments banned it in 2016, calling it "just silly" and warning that attempting it in a real fight would get the practitioner "kicked in the groin."
Where in the source: Notable Techniques — banned from Gracie Tournaments in 2016 because they viewed it as "just silly"
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BJJ Fanatics independently identifies Glover's deep half guard as his signature system, sold as "Jeff Glover's Deep Half Guard 6 Volume DVD Set," alongside his "Darcepedia" 2-DVD set on the D'arce choke.
Where in the source: Instruction — JEFF GLOVER'S DEEP HALF GUARD 6 VOLUME DVD SET / DARCEPEDIA 2 DVD SET WITH JEFF GLOVER
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After earning his black belt, Glover began traveling to train at Marc Laimon's Cobra Kai Jiu-Jitsu academy in Las Vegas every one to two months; impressed by his dedication, Laimon offered him an instructor position, which Glover accepted, moving to Las Vegas to teach while remaining close to Franjinha, whom he considered a father figure.
Where in the source: Jeff Glover Bio — Jeff moved to Vegas to teach for Laimon. But he was not finished with Franjinha who he considered a father figure
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After a 2012 super-fight against Glover, Chris Haueter — one of the first twelve non-Brazilian BJJ black belts — described his style: "It's like grappling a monkey or a cat. He never loses balance."
Where in the source: Jeff Glover Record, Net Worth, Weight, Age & More! — “It’s like grappling a monkey or a cat. He never loses balance.” / The words of Chris Haueter (one of the first 12 non Brazilians to receive a black belt) on Jeff Glover’s style after their 2012 super fight.
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BJJ Heroes, "The Donkey Guard" technique page.(opens in a new tab)
The donkey guard was created by Glover, originally called the "reverse jumping guard takedown" before internet users renamed it; it was first used against Tom Barlow at the 2011 ADCC tournament as a way to bait and frustrate stalling opponents.
Where in the source: Donkey Guard — first used against Tom Barlow at the ADCC tournament (2011)
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The donkey guard's concept derives from kani basami (a banned judo/BJJ scissor takedown); Glover developed it as a way to force stalling opponents on their feet into engaging, while staying within tournament rules. Asked about the position, Glover said it is "fun and effective," and that he had even used it in a real self-defense situation on the street.
Where in the source: The History of the Donkey Guard — It's fun and effective. I have actually used it on the streets in a real life self-defense situation.
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BJJ Heroes, "Interview wit Jeff Glover on his Sunday Roll Out" (interview, 2014).(opens in a new tab)
Glover founded and fronts his own grappling tournament, "Sunday Roll Out" (SRO), together with partners Amber Fry and Bryan Dyer (his student, a well-known DJ), born from the "Keep It Playful" movement that started in California. In Glover's own words: "I love the keep it playful movement. I'm not here on planet earth to be so serious. I'm here to have fun. Jiu jitsu is fun."
Where in the source: Interview — Sunday rollout is my baby. My partners are Amber Fry and Bryan Dyer.
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Sunday Roll Out matches are won by submission or by reaching 12 points, with no time limit and disqualification for stalling; average match length is about 4.5 minutes. The event has drawn guest workshop teachers including Keenan Cornelius and Franjinha, and Glover hopes to eventually run regional Sunday Roll Out events in cities across the U.S.
Where in the source: Interview — Stalling will result in disqualification. Our average match time comes in at about 4 1/2 minutes.
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BJJ Heroes, "Jeff Glover Interview — On Being a Student of the Game", by Daniel Faggella.(opens in a new tab)
On teaching, Glover said: "What I tell my students is to use everything you have at your disposal to learn. That's not just your training partners and normal classes, that's your instructor, the internet, other gyms you visit, everything." He frames this as being a lifelong "student of the game," and warns against "hating" — mocking training partners or competitors who use unfamiliar styles, or telling yourself you're "too big" or "too small" for certain techniques — as a mindset that stifles growth.
Where in the source: Interview — "What I tell my students," Jeff says, "is to use everything you have at your disposal to learn."
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Jitsmagazine.com, "Urijah Faber Submits Jeff Glover In Combat Jiu-Jitsu Match At A-1 Combat 21", May 26, 2024.(opens in a new tab)
After seven years retired from competition, Glover agreed on roughly five weeks' notice to replace Jeff Curran (who withdrew at the last minute) and face UFC veteran Urijah Faber in a Combat Jiu-Jitsu match headlining A1 Combat 21 on 25 May 2024.
Where in the source: Article — BJJ legend Glover took the opportunity to replace him and compete in his first grappling match in around 7 years
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True to his style, Glover opened the fight turning his back and lifting a leg to set up a donkey-guard entry, baited Faber into a takedown, and immediately countered with a deep D'arce choke attempt that nearly finished Faber before Faber worked free. The match swung through several scrambles — Glover escaping an armbar attempt, recovering guard from turtle more than once — before Faber ultimately won by rear-naked choke, transitioning from a crucifix position he had locked in against Glover's turtle.
Where in the source: Article — turning his back and lifting a leg in the air to set up an entry to donkey guard ... Urijah Faber got the win by rear-naked choke from the crucifix
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Jitsmagazine.com, "Fight 2 Win 294: Los Angeles Full Results And Highlights", September 22, 2025 (event held September 20, 2025).(opens in a new tab)
On 20 September 2025, Glover faced long-time rival Baret Yoshida — with whom he had shared the mats several times before, including their 2014 Metamoris IV draw — in the main event of Fight 2 Win 294 in Los Angeles. Glover entered the series leading 2-0-1, but Yoshida, who had stayed more active in competition, won this bout by decision.
Where in the source: Article — a rematch between Jeff Glover and Baret Yoshida ... Glover was leading their series 2-0-1 coming into the match
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Competition results
| Year | Event | Result | Division |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | ADCC 2011Source: adcombat.com-66 kgNo-giVerified | 3rd place | -66 kgNo-giVerified |
| 2009 | ADCC 2009Source: adcombat.com-66 kgNo-giVerified | 4th place | -66 kgNo-giVerified |