JT Torres vs Augusto Mendes in Rio Open 09
Make sure you leave a comment below about the video…
If you liked it, if you didn’t like it, if you loved it, just let me know that you’re alive!
Well you already know by now the JT
is working towards becoming a Black Belt
BJJ World Champion and we are setting
up everything to help make that happen.
I’m a stat guy, I look at facts, I make
game plans, I make plans, I make blueprints
and I only deal with reality.
Here’s the reality of this goal.
An American winning the has only been done
twice, I look at who did it, how that did it
their situation and understand that it’s a
extremely difficult.
BJ Penn did it in the pena division in 2000
beating my friend Edson Diniz by points.
Lovato did it in 2007, he left his normal
weight class and moved up to the super
heavy division beating Big Mac by Ref Decision.
That’s it! No one else has done it.
At the Black Belt level the number of
Americans that are even getting on the
stand to get medals at the CBJJ events
is rare, to my knowledge you have Bill
Cooper (silver Worlds),Lovato has won
several including Nationals, Mike Fowler
just recently won Bronze at the Rio Open
in Brazil and won the Absolute division
at the Asian Open, but besides that it’s
extremely rare.(if you know of any other
Americans that have placed at the Worlds
or CBJJ events at the black belt level
please let me know)
One of my goals is to become the first
American based team to have a black belt
World Champion, a few years ago it was to
be the first American based team to have
a black belt medal at the Worlds, that
almost happened when Mike Fowler caught
Daniel in an armlock at the Worlds in
Brazil a few years ago, only to get slammed
on his head and his opponent not get
DQ’d.
I always say strive for the highest level,
and why not, on my team we’ve had a Blue
Belt World Champion, 2 Purple belt World
Champions, 3 kids World Champions, a Purple
belt Silver, brown belt bronze and a brown
belt silver and that’s great, but in the
big picture, THEY DON’T COUNT!
If you do BJJ(with the gi) Black Belt is
the highest goal, the ultimate goal and
becoming a Black Belt World Champion puts
you at the very top of that goal.
So now we have JT reaching for that goal,
and I’ll say this right here, and right
now. JT will become a Black Belt World
Champion one day.
Right now we are on a mission to test
JT’s skills against the best in his
division, at the tournament in RIO, he
wanted to see how his guard stacked up
against the best, he showed that he is
in the top tier of black belts already
and he hasn’t been a black belt for more
days.
In this match that you’re about to watch
JT is going to be fighting against
Augusto Mendes. We have a ranking pool
for everyone in JT’s leve division and
we have Augusto Mendes being ranked
#2, behind Micheal Langhi who at this
moment is the king for the black belt
leve division.
At this past Worlds Augusto gave Langhi
his toughest match, only losing by
advantage. So getting matched against
Augusto is exactly what we wanted, we
wanted to see exactly where JT stands.
JT loses this match but I personally
feel that JT could’ve gotten the
ref decision, although I teach my guys
that, if they let the match go to a ref
decision, it’s their fault and never expect
to get the call.
I want to see what you thought about the
match, here is what I saw, JT gets an
advantage for the near sweep that he was
working for hard the entire match, Augusto
gets an advantage for getting to
JT’s 1/2 guard.
I thought that JT should’ve gotten
an advantage for going for the armlock,he
was on the arm for a few seconds and I’ve
seen advantages given for weaker attempts
all of the time.
But JT’s my guy,I want you to let me know
what you thought about the match, so please
leave a comment at the end of the blog.
I think you won that match JT. It’s amazing how you’re hanging with the top competitors already.
Claose match for sure
I can see why JT thought he should have had his hand raised at the end. Keep working hard young man. Yu have proven yourself worthy to be up their with the elites in this combat sport
I liked this match. It shows the true transition from a brown to a black belt. I can appreciate a good loss sometimes. Good job JT
One of those matches that is tough to ref.
I do not think that either of JT’s armbar attempts were advantage-worthy. Augusto was not in trouble with either attempt.
But JT seemed much more aggressive in the match with his sweep and submission attempts than Augusto’s attempts at passing.
I’m assuming Augusto’s arm got raised because of the unwritten “when everything is equal raise the hand of the fighter who was on top” CBJJ rule?
Definitely think JT deserved the decision, that sweep was so close….
Other black belts to medal at the mundials black belt level:
Garth Taylor, 2001 Silver
Albert Crane, 2002 Bronze (Closed out division)
Robert Drysdale, many times….
If you count the pan ams and at masters level there have been a few more.
Good match JT. You looked very active on bottom and I think you should have gotten the nod. Even still, it was a good match.
First, I have to say that I’m a little partial to any of Master Mansurs black belts. My first BJJ instructor was Marcus Vinicius (a Mansur Blackbelt). So, my judgement could be a little clouded.
I didn’t bust out a stop watch or anything, but it looks like Mendes was actively passing about as much as JT was actively going for sweep attempts. So in my opinion, they were equally as aggressive.
I think there were two keys for Mendes.1) He was on top the entire match, which with all things equal, being on top is technically the better position and 2) at the end of the match, Mendes looks like he’s aggressively trying to pass the half guard and JT looks to be pretty defensive. That could have a bit of a psychological factor because the ref sees JT playing defense as the match comes to a close.
The lose doesn’t make JT any less impressive. He’s probably been training as long as I have and I wouldn’t even do well in the blue belt division!!!!!!!!!
Congratulations on building another outstanding athlete.
Lloyd my coach Chris Haueter won 1st place in the 2009 Pan Americans in the Seniors II Black Belt Division. Chris is a 3rd degree Rigan Machado Black Belt and one of the first 12 non Brazilians to become a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. Please make sure you add him to your list of American black belts who have won CBJJ events.
I have been watching your videos for a while. What amazes me is not much whether you win or loose. I admire your confidence and effort. I’m a blue belt under Jorge Pereira. I have MD (Muscular Dystrophy) I’m limited to my strength and movement and have suffered injuries due to my condition. I still train and will continue until my muscles give up due to my MD. You are an inspiration. I’m also non-Brazilian and admire the sport to the fullest. Great job man!!!
JT should of had this one! He pushed the match from the bottom the whole time.
Great match JT. I’m a little new to the sport but can someone tell me why Augusto won that match? You certainly gave him a run for his money.
Cheers.
That was a close match. It is hard to say if the arm lock attempt was enough for an advantage. It did appear to me that JT was working more and was very active in the guard. I would have gave the decision to JT due to his work and swep attempts. Augusto didn’t really threaten a guard pass in my view.
Thanks for the video update!
i found it very interesting that you Rank the guys at Leve!
And that you had Michael Langhi #1 and Augusto #2…
Id like to hear what you think about Lucas Lepri who imho is #1 at leve ,Celso Vinicius and new guys like Gilbert Burns..And is Fowler fighting up nowadays? saw him at the Ny Open vs Lepri at leve.
thanks again Master Lloyd your input is very appreciated!
JT’s ability to not allow Augusto to pass his half guard was very impressive, as was his use of the X-guard. Augusto did not seem threatened by the armlock attempt and did not release his grip on JT’s shoulder until after the attempt was concluded. The decision is subjective, but I agree with the comment that mentions the unwritten rule, paraphrased as all things being equal, the decision usually goes to the aggressor, or in this case, the guy on top. That being said, I believe JT will learn from this experience and be victorious the next time these two meet in competition.
Hi, I think JT could sweep Augusto pulling to Augusto back when they were stand up instead trying to sweep to the front.
JT is amazing…his dedication and work ethic is really paying dividends…what an advertisement for Master Irvin’s philosophy.
“when everything is equal raise the hand of the BRAZILIAN fighter” that’s the rule when you’re fighting in Rio de Janeiro! Anyway it was a DRAW
The fight was very close no doubt, but at the end JT was a bit less aggressive on the bottom which may have ultimately tipped the ref’s decision. The armbar attempt was not an advantage either.
Anyway, big congrats to JT for such a great performance at black.
JT showed great patience & composure …
Just the beginning of great things to come …
JT,
Looks like you belonged there. In context, that is a great accomplishment for a newly minted BB.
As for the match, you definitely had aggression on your side and I’m surprised you didn’t get the takedown. Augusto definitely has good balance moving forward!
It is hard for me to evaluate matches like that because, sensibly, both parties are trying to not lose as much or more than they are trying to win. That definitely appeared to be Augusto’s plan. Then from the top, more opportunities appeared for visually impressive movements (hence the advantages).
It is ironic, but I guess that all else being (relatively) equal, the guy on top is going to get the win. Ironic, since BJJ is the sport that make being on the bottom an offensive, non-disadvantaged position…
Scott
I am far away from an expert but here are my impressions.
First, great fight against two fighters at the same level. My feeling while looking at the fight was that I could here their brains working. You couldn’t see that many movements on the outside but they were both so focused and trying to manifest their gameplanes. I loved it.
Secondly, all the way into the 4th minute JT was clearly more active, attempting different things.Then Augusto became more active but only for a shorter time. From 5:35 in the clip to about 8 JT was again more proactive. From 6:40 to 7:25 JT has this strange guard that I have never seen before. Have any of you seen that before? If not maybe this is the new “JT Torres guard”? He, he, he, it would be something, don’t you think? During the last minute Augusto is more active.
I don’t dare to say anything about the decision of the referee because I am just a beginner and probably can’t see everything that an experienced player or a referee sees.
Now, let me start by saying, obviously, I am not at the level these guys are at. But … that doesn’t mean I can’t help via a little observation. It was a tight match, no doubt. A case can be made for Augusto. He looks pretty aggressive for the most part. But he also looks scared shitless with JT yanking his ass back on the mat when he was obviously trying to get away instead of defending.
I believe playing the “tournament game” of trying to win by points or advantage sucks. I believe the name of the game is submission. That being said, we all know that can’t always happen and sometimes you just have to get your points or get your advantage to get your hand raised.
Here’s what I noticed from JT (and you can take this with a grain of salt or you can test it at practice and see if I’m right). He does a good job of maintaining half-guard. But if you happen to need an advantage and you want to make sure the sub looks legit here’s what he can do.
While he’s half-guarding his opponent, there are a lot of times where he gets good collar control with the left hand on the far-side lapel and his right forearm is posted on the mat. I think he could easily reach over with that right hand to that near-side lapel with a palm down, thumb-in-collar grip and start a good cross-collar choke. Even if it doesn’t sink in all the way, he’s going to get an advantage. If the opponent reaches to defend it, then JT can secure that arm for sweeping purposes.
That’s just my two cents from a guy who loves to choke people.
— Chokes are like people with stupid jiu-jitsu advice … they’re everywhere.
Master Lloyd-
Definitely a win for JT, but….join the club! I may be the only American to win a decision in International Competition, but I had to lose the first 5 or 6 before I was given one.
You may have forgotten that I placed 2nd in the Pan Am Black Belt Adult Medio 2003 (robbed in the final worse than JT!) and 3rd 2004 Pan Am Black Belt Absolute, but I guess this is why I’m still the invisible man!
Congrats to JT for an awesome showing! He’ll definitely be a BB World Champ!!
There is no doubt in my mind that JT won that match. He’ll come back from this loss and ultimately achieve his goal of becoming a black belt world champion.
JT, It is easy to see why you are competing at this level. I am to much of a novice to say anything of real substance. But feel that decision was close and could have gone to you fairly easily. Keep up the good work. I am sure you will be the BJJ Black Belt World Champion soon.
He was on the arm for a while. All Mendes did was stay on top. But JT did more coming up and trying hard for the takedown and nearly pulling it off. He also had apparent control with the de la hiva guard most of the time. JT is definitely on his way. He only lost to 2 world class black belts by close margins so far. good luck.
How can Augusto Mendes be #2 at lightweight? Celso and Lepri should be before both Langhi and Mendes. Also Gilbert Burns who beat Lepri this year and made it to the finals.
Another overlooked black belt American champion is Alberto Crane. Ibjjf actually has him at Bronze, but he received a gold medal by splitting it with teammates.
I thought that JT was more active and took more chances. I agree that he should have been given an advantage for the arm lock. You know how it goes though…home field advantage for Mendes on this one. Great job JT. Keep up the good work and way to represent!
based on my observation the more u attack ur opponnent the more he creat mistake.so i think jt should be more offensive player,
Good tough fight , great skills from the bottom . I thought JT attacked more almost getting the takedown but when it’s so close it can go either way . JT definitely a future world champ . Well done .
Loved the take down attempt by JT!
JT,
What a close match! One of those black belt matches that because the referee knew more of Augusto and not JT…Augusto takes the match. JT got ripped off! I know the feeling being a black belt in Kajukenbo and entering point-sparring tournaments. When there is a close call you put yourself to the mercy of the referee. Now, my mindset is NO MERCY! I`m just a blue belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Egan Inoue, Grappling Unlimited, and I would just like to say that I am really enjoying watching JT on his road to becoming a WORLD CHAMPION. He will accomplish the task!
didnt alberto crane win gold also
armbar attempt was definitely NOT advantage worthy. Both “equally” aggressive. From a spectators point of view the top position “seems” dominant.
Wow! that guy on top was so non active… he did nothing the entire fight… at least JT was always active and trying different things from the bottom…
I guess the ref went with Mendes because he was on top almost the entire time but i think Mendes really tried not to lose and was way to non active…
JT WONT THIS MATCH. HE WAS ROBBED. THE REF. SHOULD GO TO JAIL AT LEAST FOR 25 YEARS.
that suck man ,keep your head up and good things wil happen!!!!!!!!!!!
I believe Amal Easton made it to the Worlds with a bronze as well as some of his black belt Eliot Marshall and maybe Nick Kline.
My coach David Ginsberg also got Silver at the 2004 Pan Ams, black belt masters
“Champions do not become champions when they win the event, but in the hours, weeks, months and years they spend preparing for it. The victorious performance itself is merely the demonstration of their championship character.” T. Alan Armstrong
JT, once again, you are amazing! By reading these comments, watching the fight and knowing how dedicated you are, anyone can clearly see that you didn’t have to “win” that fight to prove you are a champion!
JT, in the couple videos I have seen of you, already a huge fan, your skills are impressive, and are only going to get better and better.
I think any of the comments telling you that you got robbed are a bit counterproductive even if that is the case. The focus should be on where the opportunities existed for you to capitalize where you would not have been in a position for the fight to go to a decision and for you to get robbed.
I thought when you had the single leg up on your feet was your best opportunity to capitalize. Get with an all american wrestler and start in this position (from both sides), as this is trained religously in wrestling and when you get somebody’s leg in the air you should really be able to slow down a bit and smell blood and there’s no reason why you shouldn’t be able to take them to the mat on your terms.
Good luck!
Being on top does not mean you’re winning, this isn’t the UFC. In the past it seems that the ibjjf leans toward the guard player. That sweep attempt was the strongest attack of the match, it was close, but I would have given JT the decision.
Very good match. Very technical. A pleasure to watch you in action. I wish you the best of luck [I know luck has nothing to do with it but you are already putting in your best training, so it can't hurt].
Miguel Ibarra
Daito ryu Aikijujutsu Yamabushi Kai
Lana Stefanac won her weight and absolutes at the worlds in the womens brown/ black beltdivision. Yeah she was a brown belt at the time, but she recieved her black belt shortly after. Plus it’s not like she didn’t face any easy opponents either in either her weight and at absolutes.
First time I’ve seen a “sitting half-guard”. I had a feeling he was setting up for single-leg takedown. Even though the takedown didn’t work, I believe it was the theoretically correct move to use in that situation. Also first time I’ve seen the arm-armbar executed from half-guard. And first time I’ve seen a simultaneous closed half-guard with an X-guard.
Very tight match, could of been called either way. A few notes
1.JT’s DLR is off the hook,but I thought that he could of got a single without the sleve control.
2. I can’t believe that the sweep wasen’t finish imo JT should of stayed on the leg, but he did a good job of draging himm back into the mat so he could finish.
3. If JT was more offensive from that bottom half guard position in the end he would of won the fight.
Great match JT your showing that your more than ready to compete with the best.
congrats jt i just saw you in ultimate mma magazine under the rising stars section. decent article. can’t wait for the dvd’s to be finished
THAT WAS A GOOD FIGHT. YOU ALSO GOTTA REALIZE WHAT THE REF IS LOOKING FOR,SO YOU GOTTA STAY ACTIVE,WITHOUT BEING CARELESS.COLLAR CHOKES WHEN YOU HAVE THAT KNEE ACROSS THE BELLY MAN IT KEEPS THE GUY HONEST YOU KNOW. NICE!!!
I thought JT controlled Mendes for most of the match and was more aggressive. JT should have been awarded the decision. It is easy to call things from the sideline, but could JT have went for a triangle during the first five minutes of the match…? It looked like he was in a good position for it. Of course Mendes is a Black Belt and probably defended against such a submission. Great match.
I won’t agree or disagree with the ref’s decision because it is NOT my job to do so; however I do have a question.Being a judoka, I am not sure about the rules of jujitsu. Is it legal for a guy to clutch on your gi pants the way Mendes was doing to JT? In judo you can clutch the belt(or in some instances the pant LEG),but this guy was clearly clutching on JT’s pants. As I said, I don’t really know the rules of jujitsu (and no one seems to have mentioned this in any of the previous comments) so let me know, please. Thank you. =)