Jacob Couch - The Hillybilly Hammer

Jacob Couch is a black belt under Heath Pedigo. He was born in Hazard Kentucky, USA on February 3, 1999. Couch found he was fond of competitive sports during his childhood. He earned a name for himself in color belt divisions by winning gold medals at several IBJJF tournaments.

Couch was an athletic child with a fondness for sports at a young age. He started engaging in competitive sports when he was in 6th grade. Couch joined the football team at A.B. Combs Elementary School. But he could not continue his football practice due to transportation issues.

Later, Couch joined the wrestling team for an equally short amount of time, leaving after only three months of training. Shortly afterward, Couch learned about submission grappling.

At the age of 15, Couch was often bullied by other boys. He wanted to learn jiu-jitsu to help him defend himself. Couch’s two friends, Ken Beverly, and Stone Beverly, suggested he join an MMA academy. Though his current financial situation was not stable, Couch was admitted to the gym after paying half the standard fee.

Donald Neace was Couch’s first BJJ coach and the one who promoted him to a blue belt. After receiving his blue belt, Couch turned to Adam Gomez to be his second jiu-jitsu coach.

Couch became the World Champion in the Blue Belt Division. During the World Championship, he became friends with members of Pedigo Submission Fighting Academy or Daisy Fresh Academy. Couch’s new friends from Daisy Fresh Academy invited him to come and train with them at Mount Vernon, Illinois.

After Couch was promoted to a purple belt, he decided to visit Pedigo Submission Fighting. During his visit to Pedigo Submission Fighting Academy, Couch developed a strong bond with the team and decided to stay and train there.

Athletes are usually given nicknames based on their origin, home country, or occupation. But instead of being given a traditional Portuguese name, Couch’s nickname was inspired by combat sports tradition.

Couch won multiple championships in color belt divisions. After becoming the World Champion of the Brown Belt Division in 2022, Couch was promoted to a black belt by Heath Pedigon on December 15, 2022.

At 21 years old, Couch is a three-time world champion in color belt divisions. He was the 2018 Heavyweight World Champion in the Blue Belt Division. Later, Couch became the 2021 Super-Heavyweight and the 2022 Heavyweight World Champion.

Couch has also won two gold medals in the 2020 and 2022 IBJJF Pan Championships. In 2020, he was the Super-Heavyweight and Absolute Weight Pan Champion. In 2022, he became the Heavyweight and Absolute Weight Pan Champion.

Couch has a high submission rate, having won 20 out of 30 matches during his time as a brown and black belt.

Couch faced Roberto Jimenez in the quarterfinal of the 2021 WNO Championship. Both fighters were highly energetic at the start of the match. Jacob Couch started the match in a sitting position. Jimenez tried to use a takedown, but Couch performed actively and strangling his opponent’s right foot. Within the next few minutes, Jimenez could not break free of Couch’s strangled him strongly and did not give him any chance to escape. Couch beat Jimenez by submitting him with a foot lock two minutes after the match started. 

Couch faced Hunter Colvin at WNO 10. Couch started the match by attempting a pull guard to grab Colvin’s arm. Couch tried to apply a triangle choke but could not secure his grip. Colvin escaped, but Couch followed up by strangling one of his opponent’s legs. After several minutes, Colvin escaped, but Couch managed to stay on top. Despite this, Colvin still managed to escape yet again. Couch attempted another pull guard with the addition of a triangle choke. Colvin resisted the triangle choke but Couch managed to grab ahold and apply an armbar simultaneously. Couch won the match by submitting Colvin via an armbar.

Couch faced Michael Carpenter in the finals of the 2021 Indianapolis Open No-Gi. Couch started the match in a sitting position and tried to take down Carpenter by strangling his leg. However, Carpenter kept Couch from getting a good grip on his leg while trying to overcome his opponent. After a few minutes, Couch succeeded in applying a full guard. Couch tried to apply a triangle choke and then an armbar but failed. He eventually took Carpenter from behind and submitted him with a rear naked choke.

Jacob Couch vs Jay Rod | 2022 Tezos WNO: Gordon Ryan vs Felipe Pena

Jacob Couch vs. Hunter Colvin | WNO: Oct. 20 2021

Jacob Couch vs David Garmo / Chicago Spring Open No-Gi 2023

Jacob Couch VS Hector Acosta / Pan Championship 2020

Photo Credit: @thehillbillyhammer