Outburst-rockburst coupling dynamic disaster is a complicated process of the unstable failure of a gas-bearing coal-rock combination system, which remains great challenges to the safe production of coal mines. The objective of our research is to improve understanding of the mechanism of outburst-rockburst coupling dynamic disasters. To achieve this goal, a theoretical analysis of the damage in a gas-bearing coal-rock combination body coupled with gas seepage in coal was firstly conducted. Then, the physical experiments and numerical simulations on instability failures of the gas-bearing coal-rock system were carried out under different scenarios. The multi-physics coupling mechanism of damage in the gas-bearing coal-rock body and occurrence conditions of outburst-rockburst coupling dynamic disasters were comprehensively analyzed. The results indicate that, although the particle size distribution of pulverized coal is different under different conditions, pulverized coal will form a shuttle-shaped distribution on the horizontal ground. In addition, most of the outburst coal and rock will fall in the middle and far region, which does not present obvious sorting characteristics. Under the experimental conditions of this work, both the coal and roof will present a certain degree of deformation and failure. Outburst-rockburst coupling dynamic disasters occur within a certain range of gas pressure, crustal stress and the strength of the coal and roof. Beyond this range, the system may shift to a coal and gas outburst disaster or rockburst disaster. Under other constant conditions, the higher the crustal stress or gas pressure, the greater the intensity of the disaster. After the occurrence of an outburst-rockburst coupling dynamic disaster, the gas pressure drops sharply, which presents a paroxysmal characteristic. No definite law is found between the disaster lasting time and gas pressure, coal/roof strength and crustal stress. (C) 2019 Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.