Lachlan Giles is an Australian black belt from Melbourne, a physiotherapist with a PhD, and the head coach of Absolute MMA. At the 2019 ADCC World Championship he won bronze in the open-weight division by heel hooking much heavier men. He also coached Craig Jones to black belt and retired from competition after submitting Marcelo Garcia in December 2025.
Background and lineage
Giles trained kung fu before starting jiu-jitsu with Tyrone Crosse, who took him from white to purple belt. He then trained under John Simon at Absolute MMA, and Simon promoted him to black belt in 2012. His lineage runs through John Will and the Machado brothers to Carlos Gracie Jr. While competing he earned a Bachelor of Physiotherapy (2008) and a PhD (2016) from La Trobe University. Craig Jones is his best-known student, promoted to black belt in 2016.
Competition highlights
- ADCC World Championship 2019 (absolute): heel hook wins over Kaynan Duarte, the +99 kg champion that year, and Patrick Gaudio. He lost to Gordon Ryan in the semi-final, then beat Mahamed Aly by leg lock for bronze.
- IBJJF World No-Gi: bronze at −73.5 kg in 2017 after a semi-final loss to AJ Agazarm.
- Regional and invitational events: three ADCC Asia and Oceania Trials wins, Pan Pacific gi and no-gi double gold in 2016 and 2017, the 2019 Kinektic Invitational and third place at EBI 5 in 2015.
Style and signature techniques
BJJ Heroes lists the inside heel hook and the crucifix armbar as his favourite techniques. The heel hook accounts for half of his submission wins. His game is built on getting to leg entanglements such as inside ashi, the saddle and fifty-fifty. He also uses half guard systems that suit smaller grapplers, and attacks from the crucifix with the armbar. Evolve MMA describes him as an analytical, systematic teacher, and he has released instructionals on leg locks, half guard and passing.
Notable matches
- Garry Tonon, EBI 5 (2015): an armbar loss after wins over Nathan Orchard and Rani Yahya.
- Kaynan Duarte, ADCC 2019 absolute: a first-round heel hook on the eventual +99 kg champion.
- Kade Ruotolo, ADCC 2022: an armbar loss to the young American.
- Marcelo Garcia, ONE Fight Night 38 (December 2025): a kneebar on the four-time ADCC champion in his final match.