John Combs began his athletic journey as a wrestler at age 14, initially competing in the 130 lbs division and steadily progressing to 165 lbs by the conclusion of his junior college wrestling career in 2012. His wrestling achievements culminated in earning All-American honors with a 4th-place finish at the NCWA Nationals in 2011. Although first introduced to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2007, Combs prioritized wrestling until January 2010. His commitment to BJJ solidified after a friendly wrestling match against his friend, actor Jonathan Lipnicki. Despite being pinned, Lipnicki managed to submit Combs with a kimura lock, sparking Combs' deeper interest in submission grappling.

While attending the University of Colorado Boulder, Combs joined the renowned Easton Training Centre, marking the start of his structured Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu training. His progression through the ranks was guided by several prominent coaches within the academy: former UFC contender Eliot Marshal awarded him his blue belt, James Smith promoted him to purple belt, and Mike Tousignant advanced him to brown belt. Combs' exceptional competitive run at brown belt culminated in receiving his black belt from Amal Easton in June 2016.

John Combs is widely recognized for his highly effective guillotine choke, aptly named the "Combs choke." This signature submission has been instrumental in securing numerous victories throughout his black belt career. Combs frequently utilizes this choke in professional grappling competitions, submission-only events, and high-level tournaments, making it a defining element of his aggressive, submission-oriented style.

Technical Breakdown

The Combs choke is characterized by precise hand positioning, tight control of the opponent's head and neck, and strategic use of body leverage. Combs often initiates the choke from front headlock positions or scrambles, capitalizing on his wrestling background to secure dominant grips and finish efficiently.

Combs' wrestling-heavy, submission-focused style translates exceptionally well into no-gi competition. He secured his spot at the prestigious 2019 ADCC World Championship by winning the ADCC West Coast Trials, showcasing elite grappling skills against top-tier opponents. Further cementing his no-gi credentials, Combs captured the IBJJF American National No-Gi Championship title in 2020 in the middleweight division, adding a significant national title to his competitive résumé.

A regular competitor on the professional grappling circuit, Combs has headlined multiple Fight To Win events and faced several high-profile opponents, including UFC veterans. Notably, he competed against UFC standout Gilbert Burns at a Submission Underground event, demonstrating his willingness to test himself against elite-level grapplers. Combs remains consistently active, regularly participating in ADCC Trials, IBJJF No-Gi majors, and various regional submission-only tournaments.

Expanding beyond his longtime training base in Colorado, Combs transitioned into coaching and seminar instruction, traveling across the United States to share his grappling expertise. He has conducted seminars and coaching sessions at numerous academies, particularly throughout the Southeast region, including a period leading classes at academies in Florida. Combs continues to mentor up-and-coming athletes, imparting his unique blend of wrestling and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu knowledge to the next generation of competitors.