Devhonte Johnson, commonly known as "Bones", is an American grappler and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt competitor and coach. A multiple time IBJJF World, Pan American and European champion in lower belt divisions; Johnson is a black belt IBJJF World No-Gi, Pan American No-Gi and European Open No-Gi Champion.
Devhonte M. Johnson was born in Paterson, New Jersey. During his senior year in Eastside High School he started training Brazilian jiu-jitsu (BJJ) under Coach Edson Carvalho with whom he stayed until purple belt.
In 2015, Johnson joined Unity Jiu Jitsu in New York City training under head instructor Murilo Santana. During this time, Johnson started competing winning the IBJJF World No-Gi Championship and the Pan IBJJF Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi Championship at every belt level. Johnson specializes in the Lasso Guard and Stack Pass techniques. While teaching at Unity HQ in Manhattan Johnson opened his own Unity Jiu-Jitsu affiliate in New Jersey.
In 2018 Johnson participated in numerous competitions as brown belt, winning the IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship, IBJJF World No-Gi Championship, IBJJF European Open Championship as well as the IBJJF Pans No-Gi Championship.
In August 2019, Johnson was awarded his black belt by Santana, that same year Johnson opened his own gym, Bones BJJ in Clifton, NJ. In 2021 he won Pan No-Gi and World No-Gi titles for the first time at black belt. In 2021 Johnson was ranked No. 1 in the IBJJF no-gi super heavyweight division.
Johnson was invited to compete in the BJJ Stars 10 Absolute Grand prix on 22 April 2023. He defeated Gutemberg Pereira by decision in the opening round before losing to eventual champion Erich Munis on points in the quarter-final.
Johnson is booked to compete against Vinicius 'Trator' Ferreira in the main event of Place of Peace Invitational 3 on August 13, 2023. He won by decision. Johnson competed in an 8-man tournament at Blue Collar FC: American Dream Conference on September 1, 2023. He lost his opening round match to Roosevelt Sousa. Johnson then entered the super-heavyweight division of the IBJJF No Gi Pan Championship 2023 on October 1, 2023, and won a silver medal.
Johnson competed in the ADCC North American East Coast Trials 2023 on October 15, winning a bronze medal in the under 99kg division.
Johnson agreed to represent Acai Republic in the over 91kg division at AIGA Champions League Final 2023 on December 13 and 14, but did not compete. Johnson then defeated Denis Gunic on points at Place of Peace Invitational 8 on September 14, 2024. Johnson then won a bronze medal in the super-heavyweight division and a gold medal in the absolute division of the IBJJF no gi Pan Championship 2024 on November 3, 2024.
Johnson won a silver medal in the absolute division at the IBJJF No Gi World Championship 2024. He then represented North America in the Polaris Squads Intercontinental Championship 2025. He went 2-2 against Team Europe at Polaris 32, but Team North America lost the match.
Johnson represented Team Al Leone at the AIGA Champions League finals 2025, going 2-0 as Al Leone finished in third place.
Johnson competed in the no gi absolute grand prix at BJJ Stars 16 on July 25, 2025. He was knocked out in the opening round.
Main Achievements (black belt level):
Main Achievements (colored belts ):
Mitsuyo Maeda > Carlos Gracie > Helio Gracie > Rickson Gracie > Marcelo Behring > Mario Yamasaki > Murilo Santana > Devhonte Johnson