Francisco Sinistro Iturralde

Francisco "Sinistro" Iturralde began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey at age 13, inspired by his older brothers, Leonardo and Juan Miguel, who were already dedicated practitioners. Under the guidance of Fernando "Soluço" Di Piero, a pioneering figure for BJJ in Ecuador, Francisco quickly displayed exceptional talent. His early competitive career was marked by multiple junior world titles, and his dynamic, aggressive grappling style earned him the nickname "Sinistro," meaning "Sinister."

Recognizing the demands of elite-level competition, Francisco relocated to Florida, USA, to train at the Alliance headquarters, enabling him to regularly compete on the international stage. As a brown belt, he expanded his training experience at the Alliance Academy in New York, sharpening his skills under the mentorship of Fabio Clemente and Babs Olusanmokun. Later, Francisco moved to Los Angeles to train with renowned competitor and instructor Rubens Charles "Cobrinha" at one of Alliance's premier affiliates. On June 17, 2013, Francisco received his black belt from his original instructor, Fernando "Soluço" Di Piero, who had guided him through every belt promotion.

Francisco Iturralde is widely recognized for his entertaining and aggressive grappling style, characterized by dynamic scrambles, relentless pressure, and a constant pursuit of submissions. His tactical approach emphasizes creating openings through controlled aggression and fluid transitions. Beyond technical prowess, Francisco emphasizes humility and the importance of embracing discomfort during training. He strongly advocates for controlling one's ego, viewing it as essential for sustained growth and long-term progress in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

Establishing Gentle Arts Jiu Jitsu

In 2020, Francisco founded Gentle Arts Jiu Jitsu in Encinitas, California, creating an academy that uniquely integrates Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu with yoga and meditation. Upon opening his academy, he transitioned affiliations from Alliance to Gracie Allegiance.

Teaching Philosophy and Community Building

Stepping back from active competition, Francisco dedicated himself fully to teaching, mentoring students, and fostering a supportive community environment. His academy emphasizes Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu as a holistic practice, promoting physical health alongside mental and emotional well-being.

In 2013, Francisco adopted a vegetarian diet, later transitioning fully to veganism. He has since become a prominent advocate for plant-based lifestyles within the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community, aligning his dietary choices with historical combat sports figures such as Carlos and Helio Gracie, Walid Ismail, and MMA athletes Nick and Nate Diaz. Francisco actively promotes the benefits of a plant-based diet, highlighting its positive impact on health, athletic performance, and overall well-being.