Michael Langhi - 3rd-degree BJJ Black Belt & CEO of Alliance Jiu-Jitsu

Michael Langhi is a 3rd-degree BJJ Black Belt under Rubens Charles also known as “Cobrinha”. He is one of the top lightweight grapplers of his generation. He is rightly famous because of his guard pass which is the main reason for his consecutive wins. He is the elder brother of Michel Langhi, one of the top grapplers. Michael has won multiple world championships as a Black and Colored Belt. Currently, he is instructing BJJ techniques at Alliance Jiu-Jitsu.

Micheal Langhi was born on 2nd April 1985 in Sao Carlos, a city in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Being a Brazilian, Michael Langhi was into martial arts from a very young age. He started capoeira, a famous Brazilian art. His capoeira gym was located in Londrina.

At the capoeira gym, Michael Langhi met Rubens Charles “Cobrinha” and was inspired by his grappling techniques.

In 2001, Rubens Charles invited Michael Langhi to his BJJ class and asked Michael to roll with him. At that time Rubens Charles was a Purple Belt and performed very well. He was also working on his new BJJ academy in Londrina.

At the start, Michael used to train once a week, and later when he developed an interest in it, he upgraded his training time twice a week.

Langhi has credited Cobrinha for helping him to refine the technique, improving his conditioning, and for developing a more strategic approach to competitions. Under Cobrinha’s guidance, Langhi became an even more dominant force in the competitive circuit, winning multiple world championships and establishing himself as one of the top BJJ fighters of his generation.

Langhi has also trained with other top coaches and competitors throughout his career, but his time training under Cobrinha was a particularly important period of his development as a fighter.

Michael Langhi is a highly technical and strategic fighter, known for his precision and efficiency in executing techniques. He is particularly skilled at using his guard, where he employs a variety of sweeps, submissions, and transitions to control his opponents and set up attacks.

Langhi is also known for his athleticism and conditioning, which allow him to maintain a high pace throughout his matches and wear down his opponents. He is able to move quickly and explosively, while still maintaining control and balance.

In addition to his technical skills and physical attributes, Langhi is known for his intelligence and adaptability as a fighter. He is able to read his opponents and adjust his strategy to take advantage of their weaknesses, and he is always looking for opportunities to capitalize on mistakes and create openings for attacks.

Overall, Langhi is a well-rounded fighter who excels in all areas of BJJ. He is a master of the sport’s fundamental techniques, but also has the creativity and flexibility to adapt to different situations and opponents.

When Michael turned 19, he participated in his first World Championship. He won first place at the IBJJF World Championship in 2004 as a Blue Belt.

After winning his first World Championship, Michael Langhi did not stop. Later on, in 2006 he again won first place at the IBJJF World Championship as a Purple Belt. In 2007, Michael Langhi won the same title but this time as a Brown Belt.

In 2008, Michael Langhi received his Black Belt from Rubens Charles.

In 2009, Michael Langhi won first place at the IBJJF Pan Championship as a Black Belt.

2009 was the most fruitful year for Michael Langhi. He participated in the European Open and Brazilian Nationals and won first place at both championships. His performance at the World Championship and Pan American Championship was also breathtaking.

Michael Langhi won the most World Championships in 2009. Upon this, he was recognized as the “Best Competitor of 2009”.

Since retiring from competition, Langhi has focused on teaching and coaching and is widely regarded as one of the top instructors in the sport. He has also developed a reputation as a mentor to many young athletes, helping them to develop the mental and physical skills needed to succeed in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and in life.

Today, Langhi is a highly respected figure in the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community, and his legacy as one of the sport’s greatest competitors and coaches is firmly established.

Michael Langhi’s “impassable guard” technique is a highly effective way of controlling and sweeping the opponent from the bottom position.

The key to Langhi’s impassable guard technique is the use of effective grips and a solid base. He emphasizes the importance of using the legs of the opponent and hips to create distance and maintain control over your opponent. Langhi also emphasizes the use of the lapel grip, which allows you to control your opponent’s posture and limit their ability to pass your guard.

To execute the technique, Langhi recommends starting in the butterfly guard position, with both feet hooked inside your opponent’s thighs. From there, he suggests establishing a strong lapel grip and using the opponent’s legs to maintain distance and control. Controlling the hips and legs of the opponent and creating a solid base, from there, Michael can work to sweep the opponent or transition to other guard positions.

One of the key components of Langhi’s impassable guard technique is the use of dynamic movement and constant adjustments. By staying active and making small adjustments to your grips and positioning. You can make it extremely difficult for your opponent to pass your guard.

Overall, Langhi’s impassable guard technique is a highly effective way of controlling and sweeping from the bottom position in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. By focusing on effective grips, a solid base, and dynamic movement, you can become a formidable guard player and make it very difficult for your opponents to pass your guard.

Currently Michael Langhi is the CEO of Alliance Jiu-Jitsu. He is an excellent instructor loved by the students.

Jonathan Torres is a 3rd-degree BJJ Black Belt under Lloyd Irvin. He has won many prestigious titles such as ADCC and IBJJF World Championships.

His strong grips are the reason that Michael Langhi had to revolutionize his fighting style to make his grips strong. Michael held JT by his Gi pants for a longer part of the match.

When Jonathan tried to stand from the ground position, Michael quickly reversed the position and got on his back. Michael benefited from the back position and went for the submission. He submitted Jonathan Torres via Cobrinha and won the semi final.

Frederico, also known as Fred Silva, is a 2nd-degree BJJ Black Belt. At first, Michael took Fred to the ground position and then gained the top position. Michael stayed in the same position for a relatively longer time to gain tight grips. Once he has tightly gripped his opponent, then he goes for the submission.

 Michael Langhi crawled for the back grab and tightened his grips on Fred’s Gi. He grabbed Fred’s arm, turned it, and went for the Armbar. He submitted Fred Silva in 5 minutes and 17 seconds.

Philipe Della Monica is a 4th-degree BJJ Black Belt and the head instructor of Gracie Barra Headquarters.

Michael Langhi caged Monica with his hands and feet and did not let him escape. He did the same with Monica. He first tried to go for the armbar but Monica escaped it. He then applied the Omoplata Choke. He submitted Philipe Della Monica in just 2 minutes and 44 seconds.

Michael Langhi VS Gilbert "Durinho" Burns / World Championship 2010

Michael Langhi VS Augusto Mendes / World Championship 2009

Michael Langhi v Masahiro Iwasaki / European 2018

Michael Langhi VS Gilbert "Durinho" Burns / World Championship 2009

Michael Langhi VS Yoshinobu Kakizawa / Pan Championship 2013

MIchael Langhi VS Bernardo Campos / World Championship 2010

Photo Credit: @michaellanghi