BJJ

John Combs - The Master of the Guillotine Choke

John Combs - The Master of the Guillotine Choke

1. John Combs’s Details

John Combs’s Details
Name John Taylor Combs
Nickname Combatine
Born Cleveland, Ohio
Date of Birth April 07, 1991
Weight Division Welter Weight 82kg/181lbs
Last Weight-in N/A
Height 5’11”
Disclosed Career Earnings N/A
Rank Black Belt
Last Fight 2023 NoGi World
Favorite Position Guillotine
Head Coach Amal Easton
University University of Colorado Boulder
Lineage C. Gracie > Helio Gracie > Carlos Gracie Jr. > Renzo Gracie > Amal Easton > John Combs
Fighting out of N/A
Team Association Easton Training Centre
Facebook Logo Instagram Logo

2. John Combs’s Biography

Combs is a professional black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and is one of the top athletes produced by Easton Training Centre. He won the gold for the ADCC West Coast Trials (2019), IBJJF Denver Open (2018), and IBJJF American No-Gi Nationals champion (2016). He got his black belt in BJJ under Amal Easton.

2.1. John Combs’s Early Life

John Combs was born in Cleveland on 07 April 1991, but was raised in California. Combs started wrestling when he was 14 years old in a school summer wrestling program. His Jiu-Jitsu journey started in 2010 at the Easton Training Center. In the year 2011, he became an All-American wrestler at the NCWA national championship, while attending his college in CU Boulder.  Ultimately, John Combs joined the Jiu-Jitsu and is now a black belt. During one of his interviews, he talked about his signature attacking style Guillotine. He said:

"I wrestled in high school for four years before starting Jiu-Jitsu. As a result, I frequently found myself in a terrible position on the bottom or the top of half guard. I would freak out from the bottom and try to grab my partner's legs, or both of them, to pull myself back to safety. This would practically ensure that I would end myself choking on a guillotine. Thus, during my white and blue belt days, from 2010 to 2013, I would usually experience five to ten guillotine chokes’’.

2.2. John Combs’s Turning Point in BJJ

In 2007, Combs was introduced to Jiu Jitsu but during that time he was practicing wrestling and was much more focused on it. In 2010, Combs experienced a resurgence of his love for Jiu-Jitsu while training with a friend who was already a BJJ athlete. Quickly, he took down and pinned the opponent, yet it worried him to find himself losing up to a kimura while in the best possible position. This convinced Combs to enhance his Jiu-Jitsu proficiency and ability to defend submissions.

2.3. John Comb’s Frightful Knee Injury

In 2012 after Comb’s won his first Jiu-Jitsu fight, he got a critical knee infection, which made him slow down for a bit. He was infected with MRSA. After his operation he used to put on knee pads during his matches, but as his scar was not stitched he got reinfected. He then took vancomycin for his speedy recovery.

2.4. Exceptional Performance in ADCC West Coast Trials 2019

During eight years in Jiu Jitsu, Combs won multiple fights following his signature guillotine choke. In 2019, he competed against William Tacket, at the ADCC West Coast Trials and tapped out four of five black belts using his favorite technique, guillotine choke along with triangle and rear naked choke, winning the gold medal.

2.5. John Combs’s Belt Promotion

As each year went by, Combs's accomplishments as a BJJ competitor and his professional track record pushed him up to the ranks of all the belts awarded by various trainers at the Easton Training Centre. Elliot Marshall, a UFC light heavyweight contender, advanced him to the blue belt. He got promoted to purple and brown belt by James Smith and Mike Tousignant. Finally, Amal Easton led him to the black belt in 2016.

2.6. John Combs’s Top Fight of All Time

As a brown belt, Combs placed first at the 2016 IBJJF Pan Ams, finishing his entire bracket in under six minutes. Yet his great moment came at the 2016 Copa Podio, an invitation-only competition held in Buenos Aires, Argentina. After earning a promotion to black belt, he won many fights against strong opponents, often using his most dreadful technique, the guillotine. He has taken the gold medal at the 2018 IBJJF Denver Open and the 2019 ADCC West Coast Trials.

2.7. John Combs’s Professional Record

John Combs holds the professional record of 106 wins with 58 losses in BJJ. The majority of his submission wins were achieved through one of his favorite techniques, the guillotine choke.

3. John Combs’s Top Historic Fights

3.1. John Combs Vs Brandon Wilson

In 2023 ADCC Chicago, an exciting match occurs between John Combs and Brandon Wilson. It was a breathtaking match as both BJJ fighters performed the match incredibly and tried for submission, but fortunately, John Combs won the match using the rear naked choke technique.

Year Event Opponent W/L/D Method Stage Weight Class
2023 ADCC Chicago  Brandon Wilson Win Rear Naked Choke R1 83 KG

3.2. John Combs Vs Valdir Araujo

In 2021 NoGi Pan Am, John Combs fought against Valdir Araujo who is known as a BB Monster. The duration of the fight was 12 minutes, the fight started with both the players using the standing guard technique. Both the athletes tried hard for submission, but eventually, John Combs won the match via toe hold acquiring 4 more points than Araujo.

Year Event Opponent W/L/D Method Stage Weight Class
2021 NoGi Pan Am Valdir Araujo Win Pts: 6x2 4F 85 KG

3.3. John Combs Vs Diego Borges

In 2016 Copa Podio Buenos Aires Argentina 2016, Combs has his Cpoa Podia debut fight with Diego Borges. Both BJJ fighters showcased their grappling skills. Combs started with a guard but Diego Borges took over using the triangle technique. Borges wins the match by 4 points after 6 minutes, he uses his sweep throughout the battle to take Combs down.

Year Event Opponent W/L/D Method Stage Weight Class
2016 Copa Podio Diego Borges Loss Pts: 4x0 GP 86 KG

4. John Combs’s National and International Achievements

Year Event Medal/ Position Weight/ Division
2014 IBJJF World Championships Bronze Bronze Medal Icon N/A
2015 IBJJF World Championships Bronze Bronze Medal Icon N/A
2015 IBJJF Pan Championships Bronze Bronze Medal Icon N/A
2016 IBJJF Pan Championships Bronze Bronze Medal Icon Middleweight
2016 UAEJJF US National Pro Gold Gold Medal Icon 77KG
2016 UAEJJF Grand Slam NoGi Los Angeles Gold Gold Medal Icon 77KG
2017 IBJJF Austin Open Gold Gold Medal Icon 82KG
2018 IBJJF Dever Open Gold Gold Medal Icon ABS
2019 ADCC US West Coast Trials Gold Gold Medal Icon 77KG
2020 American National IBJJF No-Gi Championship Gold Gold Medal Icon 85KG
2021 IBJJF Pans Championship NoGi Bronze Bronze Medal Icon 85KG

4.1. John Combs’s Main Achievements (Black Belt)

Year Event Belt Position
2016 Five Super League Black 2nd place
2016 Guatemala Open Black 2nd place
2016 UAEJJF Grand Slam NoGi Los Angeles Black 1st place
2017 IBJJF Austin Open Black 1st place
2018 IBJJF Dever Open Black 1st place
2018 IBJJF Denver Open Black 1st place
2019 ADCC US West Coast Trials Black 1st place
2020 American National IBJJF No-Gi Championship Black 1st place
2021 IBJJF Pans Championship NoGi Black 3rd place

4.2. John Combs’s Main Achievements (Colored Belt)

Year Event Belt Position
2014 IBJJF World Championships Purple 3rd place
2015 IBJJF World Championships Purple 3rd place
2015 IBJJF Pan Championships Purple 3rd place
2016 IBJJF Pan Championships Brown 3rd place
2016 IBJJF Las Vegas Open Brown 1st place
2016 IBJJF Las Vegas Open Brown 2nd place
2016 IBJJF Pans Championships Brown 1st place
2016 UAEJJF US National Pro Brown 1st place
2016 UAEJJF US National Pro Brown 1st place

5.  John Combs BJJ Professional Record Breakdown

173 Matches 106 Wins 67 Losses
By Points 15 19
By Advantages 1 1
By Submission 79 38
By Decision 9 7
By Penalties 0 0
By DQ 0 0
By EBI OT 2 2

5.1. Methods of Submission W/L

Methods Wins Losses
Guillotine  28 5
RNC 16 1
Arm in Guillotine  8 0
Arm Bar 7 3
Triangle  4 1
Choke from back 4 3
Kimura 2 1
Katagatame 2 0
Darce choke 2 0
Botinha 1 0
Triangle shoulder lock 1 0
Inside heel hook 1 7
Submission 1 2
Reverse triangle 1 0
Flying triangle 1 0
Kneebar 0 3
Footlock 0 2
Straight ankle lock 0 2
Ezekiel 0 1
Dead orchard 0 1
Cross face 0 1
Aoki lock 0 1
Mounted triangle 0 1
Estima lock 0 1
Choke f/ omoplata 0 1
Armlock 0 1

6. John Combs’s BJJ Fight History

Opponent W/L Method Competition Weight Stage Year
Diego Borges L Pts: 4x0 Copa Podio 86KG GP 2016
Danilo Borovic W Pts: 12x4 Copa Podio 86KG GP 2016
Claudio Calasans L Guillotine Copa Podio 86KG GP 2016
Erberth Santos L Mounted triangle Copa Podio 86KG GP 2016
Hayward Charles W Guillotine F2W 7 82KG SPF 2016
Jonathan Correa W Armbar Ch. Summer Open 82KG 4F 2016
Josh Hinger L Armbar Ch. Summer Open 82KG SF 2016
Josh Hinger L Armbar Ch. Summer Open ABS 4F 2016
Brian Morizi L Choke from back Grand Slam LA 77KG R1 2016
Sergio Silva W Guillotine G. Slam NG LA 83KG F 2016
Richie Martinez W Armbar Guatemala Open 82KG SPF 2016
Unknown W Guillotine Guatemala Open O76KG 4F 2016
Unknown W RNC Guatemala Open O76KG SF 2016
Gustavo Batista L Pts: 11x2 Guatemala Open O76KG F 2016
DJ Jackson L Guillotine F2W 18 82KG SPF 2016
Brian Morizi W Guillotine 5 Super League 77KG 4F 2016
Sean Roberts W Referee Decision 5 Super League 77KG SF 2016
Edwin Najmi L Estima lock 5 Super League 77KG F 2016
Yan Lucas W Guillotine Long Beach Open 82KG SF 2016
Piter Frank W Armbar Long Beach Open 82KG F 2016
Yan Lucas L Pts: 5x2 Long Beach Open ABS 4F 2016
Steve Patterson W Armbar F2W 26 82KG SPF 2017
AJ Agazarm L Pts: 2x0 LA National Pro 77KG 4F 2017
Marcos Tinoco W Guillotine Pan American 82KG R1 2017
Clark Gracie L Choke f/ omoplata Pan American 82KG 8F 2017
Chris Hargett W Guillotine ADCC WC Trials 77KG R1 2017
Ian Murray L Inside heel hook ADCC WC Trials 77KG R2 2017
Andris Brunovskis L Kneebar F2W 31 82KG SPF 2017
Gilbert Burns L EBI/OT SUG 4 88KG SPF 2017
Victor de Matos W Reverse triangle American Nats 76KG 4F 2017
Marcio Andre L Points American Nats 76KG SF 2017
Daniel Hampton L Choke from back American Nats ABS R1 2017
David Raab W Guillotine Austin Open 82KG SF 2017
Igor Paiva W Flying triangle Austin Open 82KG F 2017
Joao Rocha L Armbar Austin Open ABS 4F 2017
Thomas Keenan L Referee Decision F2W 45 82KG SPF 2017
Manuel Ribamar L Pts: 4x2 San Diego Pro 82KG R1 2017
Renato Canuto L Pts: 2x0 Grand Slam LA 77KG 4F 2017
Mateus Garcia W Choke from back Grand Slam LA 77KG RR 2017
Yan Lucas L Pts: 2x0 Grand Slam LA 77KG 3RD 2017
Jonathan Satava L Pts: 10x0 GT Open 82KG SPF 2017
Unknown W Arm in guillotine GT Open ABS 4F 2017
Aloisio P. W Choke from back GT Open ABS SF 2017
Diego Ramalho L Referee Decision F2W 56 82KG SPF 2017
Luis Henrique W Guillotine NoGi Worlds 73KG R1 2017
Daniel Seth W Darce choke NoGi Worlds 73KG R2 2017
AJ Agazarm L Pts: 2x0 NoGi Worlds 73KG 4F 2017
Renato Canuto L Pts: 4x2 European Open ABS R1 2018
Michael Langhi L Armlock European Open 76KG R1 2018
Douglas Kallin W Arm in guillotine LA Open 82KG 4F 2018
Kauan Barboza L Referee Decision LA Open 82KG SF 2018
Nichollas Grene W Pts: 2x0 LA Open ABS R1 2018
Gustavo Batista L Footlock LA Open ABS 4F 2018
Alexis Alduncin W Botinha Mexico Pro 77KG SF 2018
Alberto Serrano W Arm in guillotine Mexico Pro 77KG F 2018
Charles McGuire W Armbar Pan American ABS R1 2018
Leandro Lo L Pts: 6x0 Pan American ABS R2 2018
Vitor Oliveira L Pts: 6x0 Pan American 76KG R1 2018
Enrico Cocco L Inside heel hook F2W 68 77KG SPF 2018
Bruno Machado W Referee Decision Denver Open 82KG SF 2018
Gabriel Rocha W Referee Decision Denver Open 82KG F 2018
Hugo Valdemar W Guillotine Denver Open ABS R1 2018
Rafael Vasconcelos W Guillotine Denver Open ABS 4F 2018
Marcus Wilson W Choke from back Denver Open ABS SF 2018
Aleksandar Rajajic W Referee Decision F2W 74 82KG SPF 2018
Brandon Bergeron W Arm in guillotine F2W 78 82KG SPF 2018
Victor Silverio L Referee Decision Grand Slam LA 77KG R1 2018
Jared Dopp W Arm in guillotine NoGi Worlds ABS R1 2018
Roberto Abreu L Pts: 4x2 NoGi Worlds ABS R2 2018
Tom Gallicchio W Triangle ADCC WC Trials 77KG R1 2019
Kevin Melendrez W RNC ADCC WC Trials 77KG R2 2019
Ryan Fillingame W RNC ADCC WC Trials 77KG R3 2019
Max Rohskopf W RNC ADCC WC Trials 77KG 4F 2019
Stephen Simms W Pts: 3x2 ADCC WC Trials 77KG SF 2019
W. Tacket W Guillotine ADCC WC Trials 77KG F 2019
Felipe Linhares W Pts: 14x2 Pan American 76KG R1 2019
Levi Jones L Choke from back Pan American 76KG 8F 2019
Jake Mackenzie W Pts: 4x4, Adv Atlanta SPO 82KG SF 2019
Gialysson Freitas L Pts: 14x2 Atlanta SPO 82KG F 2019
Thomas Keenan W Choke from back Denver Open 82KG SF 2019
Michael Liera L Pts: 9x2 Denver Open 82KG F 2019
Jeremy Jackson W Pts: 6x4 World Champ. 76KG R1 2019
Lucas Lepri L Ezekiel World Champ. 76KG R2 2019
Dan Martinez W Pts: 14x2 Jitz King 85KG SPF 2019
DJ Jackson L Pts: 5x0 ADCC 77KG R1 2019
Jonnatas Gracie L EBI/OT BJJ Fanatics ABS R1 2019
Kody Steele W RNC JitzKing 82KG SPF 2020
Pedro Rocha W Arm in guillotine Kasai Pro 7 84KG SPF 2020
Matheus Gonzaga W Arm in guillotine BJJ Fanatics GP 77KG 4F 2020
Oliver Taza L Inside heel hook BJJ Fanatics GP 77KG SF 2020
Jake Watson W Guillotine Jitz King 84KG R1 2020
Valdir Araujo L Pts: 4x2 Jitz King 84KG 4F 2020
P. Leclerc W Points 3CG Kumite III 81KG 4F 2020
Roberto Jimenez L Kimura 3CG Kumite III 81KG SF 2020
Andrew Wiltse L Referee Decision F2W 146 82KG SPF 2020
Aaron Wilson W Arm in guillotine F2W 147 79KG SPF 2020
Ruben Rivera W Kimura F2W 150 80KG SPF 2020
Henrique Nobrega W Referee Decision SUBVERSIV 3 82KG R1 2020
Carlos Souza L Kneebar SUBVERSIV 3 82KG 4F 2020
T. Cellamare W RNC Subversiv 4 81KG R1 2020
Hugo Marques W Triangle Subversiv 4 81KG 4F 2020
Kody Steele W Referee Decision Subversiv 4 81KG SF 2020
Nick Ronan W Referee Decision Subversiv 4 81KG 3RD 2020
Saul Viayra W RNC American NGN 79KG SF 2020
Carlos Souza W Darce choke American NGN 79KG F 2020
Pedro Marinho W Points Third Coast 88KG SPF 2020
William Tackett L Referee Decision F2W 160 84KG SPF 2021
Andy Cordova W RNC 3CG 6 Absolute 85KG SPF 2021
Danny Stolfi W EBI/OT Emerald City 84KG R1 2021
JM Holland W Guillotine Emerald City 84KG 4F 2021
PJ Barch L Inside heel hook Emerald City 84KG SF 2021
JM Holland W Katagatame SUBVERSIV 5 81KG 4F 2021
Stanley Rosa W Pts: 37x2 NoGi Pan Am. 85KG R1 2021
Valdir Araujo W Pts: 6x2 NoGi Pan Am. 85KG 4F 2021
Andrew Wiltse L Pts: 0x0, Adv NoGi Pan Am. 85KG SF 2021
Mica Galvao L Guillotine 3CG MW GP 85KG 4F 2021
Ezekiel Broughard W Triangle ADCC EC Trials 77KG R2 2021
Nick Newell W Guillotine ADCC EC Trials 77KG R3 2021
Alan Sanchez L Guillotine ADCC EC Trials 77KG R4 2021
Bobby Malof W Referee Decision Kumite 75KG F 2021
Brendan Barry W Guillotine BJJ Fanatics 82KG RR 2021
Brendan Barry W Guillotine BJJ Fanatics 82KG RR 2021
Emilio Pereira W Katagatame Sapateiro ABS 4F 2022
Adrian Nez W Armbar Sapateiro ABS SF 2022
Sam Barboza W Guillotine Sapateiro ABS F 2022
Bill Cooper W Guillotine F2W 196 83KG SPF 2022
Ivan Leyva W Guillotine EBI 19 77KG R1 2022
Alan Sanchez L Dead orchard EBI 19 77KG 4F 2022
Drew Palomo W RNC ADCC WC Trials 77KG R1 2022
David Lohrey W Guillotine ADCC WC Trials 77KG R2 2022
AJ Agazarm L Referee Decision ADCC WC Trials 77KG R4 2022
Mike Flach W Kimura SO Series VII 77KG R1 2022
Michael Salazar W EBI/OT SO Series VII 77KG 4F 2022
PJ Barch L Cross face SO Series VII 77KG SF 2022
Jim Alers W Triangle shoulder lock Sapateiro Inv 93KG R1 2022
Sebastian Rodriguez L Guillotine Elevated GRPL ABS SPF 2022
David Porter L Inside heel hook ADCC Vegas 83KG R1 2022
Kevin Crane L Footlock ADCC Vegas ABS 8F 2022
Francisco Cuneo W RNC NoGi Worlds 79KG 4F 2022
Igor Feliz L Pts: 4x0 NoGi Worlds 79KG SF 2022
Michael Delavega W Guillotine Tampa NGO 85KG 4F 2023
Enrique March W RNC Tampa NGO 85KG SF 2023
Jon Blank L Triangle Tampa NGO 85KG F 2023
Ethan Vistro L Inside heel hook ADCC OC 83KG R1 2023
Jesus Romero W RNC ADCC OC 83KG RPC 2023
Kade Moffitt W Pts: 3x2 ADCC OC 83KG RPC 2023
Oliver Taza L Aoki lock ADCC OC 83KG RPC 2023
Daniel Fu W RNC ADCC Denver 83KG R1 2023
Davis Asare L Straight ankle lock ADCC Denver 83KG 4F 2023
Clayton Wimer W Pts: 6x0 ADCC Denver 83KG RPC 2023
Oliver Vickery W Guillotine ADCC Denver 83KG RPC 2023
Mohamed Ibrahim W Inside heel hook ADCC Denver 83KG RPC 2023
Davis Asare W Triangle ADCC Denver 83KG 3RD 2023
Anthony Robinson W Guillotine ADCC Dallas 83KG R1 2023
James Nakashima W Guillotine ADCC Dallas 83KG 8F 2023
D. Smith W Guillotine ADCC Dallas 83KG 4F 2023
Sam Kilmer W Pts: 3x0 ADCC Dallas 83KG SF 2023
Oliver Taza L Kneebar ADCC Dallas 83KG F 2023
Brandon Wilson W RNC ADCC Chicago 83KG R1 2023
Ernesto Rivera W Referee Decision ADCC Chicago 83KG 4F 2023
Cameron Hurd W Guillotine ADCC Chicago 83KG SF 2023
Nathan Haddad W Pts: 5x2 ADCC Chicago 83KG F 2023
Michael Medeiros W Armbar Enigma Inv 77KG R1 2023
Sam Kilmer W Pts: 5x0 Enigma Inv 77KG 4F 2023
Max Hanson L RNC Enigma Inv 77KG SF 2023
Jon Wilson W Guillotine ADCC ECTrials 77KG R1 2023
Sam Senuk W RNC ADCC ECTrials 77KG R2 2023
Kieran Kichuk L Inside heel hook ADCC ECTrials 77KG 8F 2023
E. Said L Submission ADCC Florida 83KG R2 2023
Steve Perez W RNC ADCC Florida 83KG RPC 2023
D. Gonzales W Submission ADCC Florida 83KG RPC 2023
Ben Eddy L Submission ADCC Florida 83KG RPC 2023
Jon Blank L Straight ankle lock NoGi World 79KG R1 2023

7. John Combs’s Top Fights

Local Hero Proves Them Wrong - John Combs at ADCC Open Denver Part 2

John Combs vs Pedro Rocha 2020 KASAI Pro 7

John Combs vs Gabriel Rocha / Denver Open 2018

One Night In Argentina: The Legend of John Combs


Photo Credit: @combsjiujitsu

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