JT Torres: The Two-Time ADCC Champion Called Spiderman

JT Torres is one of the most decorated lightweight competitors in Brazilian jiu-jitsu history. He's a two-time ADCC world champion, an IBJJF No-Gi world champion, and the first American to ever win the 77kg division at ADCC.

Who Is JT Torres?

Jonathan "JT" Torres was born on September 2, 1989, in the Bronx, New York, to a family with Puerto Rican roots. He started martial arts young, earning a karate black belt before high school, then moved to jiu-jitsu at Performance BJJ in New Jersey under Louis Vintaloro, according to Wikipedia).

How He Started

Torres earned his black belt in 2009 under Lloyd Irvin at Team Lloyd Irvin in Maryland. That academy was known for producing aggressive, technically sharp competitors, and Torres fit the mold immediately, racking up medals through the colored belts before making his mark at black belt.

Competitive Record and Notable Wins

Torres won ADCC gold at -77kg in 2017 in Espoo, Finland, becoming the first American ever to win that division. He repeated as champion in 2019 in Anaheim, California, cementing his spot among the best lightweights of his era. He also medaled bronze at ADCC in 2013 in Beijing. On the IBJJF side, Torres won the No-Gi World Championship at lightweight in 2013, plus multiple Pan American and European titles, per BJJ Heroes.

Fighting Style and Signature Techniques

His nickname "Spiderman" comes from his grip strength, which teammates say lets him "web up" opponents from any position. Torres is known for a relentless guard-passing pace, tight pressure, and a scrambling style that wears opponents down over the length of a match rather than relying on one flashy submission.

Legacy and Current Status

In 2013, Torres joined Atos Jiu-Jitsu in San Diego to train under André Galvão, a partnership that helped fuel his ADCC title runs. He later opened his own academy, Essential BJJ, where he now coaches the next generation of competitors while remaining connected to the sport's top competitive scene, alongside contemporaries like Gordon Ryan.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many ADCC titles has JT Torres won? Two, at -77kg in 2017 and 2019. He also won bronze in 2013.

Why is JT Torres called Spiderman? Teammates gave him the nickname because of his exceptionally strong grips, which "web up" opponents in his game.

Who is JT Torres's black belt under? He earned his black belt in 2009 under Lloyd Irvin.

What team does JT Torres train with now? He trains and competes for Atos Jiu-Jitsu under André Galvão and also runs his own academy, Essential BJJ.

Was JT Torres the first American to win his ADCC weight class? Yes. His 2017 win made him the first American ever to win the ADCC -77kg division.

The Bottom Line

JT Torres proved that consistency wins championships. Two ADCC golds, an IBJJF No-Gi world title, and a nickname built on grip strength alone put him among the greatest lightweights the sport has produced.