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

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

Jeff Glover vs Robson Moura

Photo Credit: @jeffgloverbjj