Michael Langhi holds a clear edge in this rivalry, leading JT Torres 4 to 1 across 5 recorded meetings. Every one of those matches happened in the gi, and every one landed in the semi-finals, which tells you both men were reliable enough to reach the final four and then had to face each other to go further. This was a bracket problem as much as a rivalry.

The two are close in weight and both compete at lightweight, but their records read differently. Langhi is 71-14 on record with an 84% win rate, built around a very technical guard developed under Rubens Charles at Team Alliance. Torres is 90-36 with 2 draws and a 70% win rate, an Atos competitor known for grip strength and, later, a wrestling-heavy approach at his own academy. Both share the same favorite finish, the Gi Choke From Back.

Margins decided most of these fights. Three of the 5 were settled on advantages, including Torres's only win here at the 2014 World Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship. The two submissions both went to Langhi, a Gi Choke From Back at the 2011 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship and a Choke at the 2013 Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship. When it went to the scoreboard, it usually went Langhi's way.