The Berimbolo Kid's Match of the Week - Week 4 - JT Torres vs. Caio Terra - 2010 Southwest BJJ Classic

(Last week’s edition can be found HERE)

This week’s match is JT Torres vs. Caio Terra from the 2010 Southwest BJJ Classic. This is an excellent match between two of the best guard players around. When this fight happened I was honestly surprised by the finish, beforehand I thought it was going to be a completely one sided fight. 

Caio Terra has one of the best guard games out there. He is probably best known for his dynamic half guard game and his reliance on 'modern' Jiu-Jitsu techniques. Caio himself is a two time world champion (2008, 2013) at the black belt level in the Gi and is a five time world champion (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012) in NoGi. 

Something which sets Caio apart from a lot of other Jiu-Jitsu practitioners is his size. He fights in the rooster weight division (-57kg) and nearly always reaches the final of every major IBJJF tournament and faces his long term rival Bruno Malfacine. Due to their size, most rooster weights choose not to fight the absolute division, but Caio Terra is an exception to this. You always here in BJJ that technique will always conquer strength, and Caio Terra is living proof of this. Since he is a rooster weight, everybody is bigger and stronger than he is and by relying on pure technique alone has defeated opponents twice his size.   

Caio Terra
Source: AliciaPhotos

JT Torres, also known as "Spiderman" due to his crazy grip strength, is probably best known for his time as part of Lloyd Irvin's infamous 'medal chasers' team. Early on in his career, JT was considered to be one of Jiu-Jitsu biggest rising stars and is now known for being one of the best American born grappler's on the planet.    

Just like Caio, JT also has an impeccable guard game. He is best known for using the spider guard to great effect but also uses other guard like the closed and de la riva guard excellently, and can set up many sweep and submission attempts flawlessly. 

JT "Spiderman" Torres

In short, this is a battle of guard players. The match itself isn't very long, only around three minutes long, but in that time some impressive guard work is shown from both fighters.   

The video of this match can be found below. I hope you guys enjoy! 

See you next week!

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