Franco Diaz
From Peru to the Podium and Now, Back Again
When we first started BJJ Camp XP, the vision was simple, bring together world-class Jiu-Jitsu with raw, unforgettable locations. We’ve hosted incredible instructors. We’ve created moments that last. But this one is different. This is full circle.
Franco Manuel Diaz Palomino, better known in the competitive Jiu-Jitsu world as Franco Diaz, is coming home. Born and raised in Peru, Franco will return to his homeland not just to visit, but to give back, teach, and inspire as one of the Pro instructors at our upcoming Máncora XP Camp.
And if you haven’t heard of Franco yet, you will soon. Because while this trip to Peru feels like a homecoming, Franco is nowhere near the end of his journey. He’s just getting started.
The BJJ Black Belt You’re About to Hear Everywhere
Franco Diaz is a name you need to know if you follow elite-level Jiu-Jitsu. A black belt under Murilo Santana of Unity Jiu Jitsu in New York City, Franco competes under the IBJJF and is already considered one of the most promising athletes of his generation.
He made his mark early by winning the IBJJF World Championship as a brown belt in 2021, the same year he received a powerful endorsement that would change his mindset forever.
During the 2021 World Championship camp, the late Leandro Lo rolled with Franco. After their session, Lo told Murilo Santana,
“This kid has a future.” For Franco, it wasn’t just praise. It was validation from a legend.
That moment, along with his championship win, confirmed what he already felt deep down: this was his path.
Unity Jiu Jitsu: The NYC Gym Behind a Rising Star
Franco’s development as an athlete has been shaped at one of the most respected academies in the world Unity Jiu Jitsu in New York City.
Founded by Murilo Santana, Unity is known for producing elite-level competitors through a culture of hard work, precision, and
humility. It’s not a hype gym. It’s a room full of real killers.
Murilo Santana is one of the most technically gifted and respected figures in the sport both for what he’s accomplished and for the
athletes he’s helped shape.
At Unity, you don’t just show up. You grind. You stay honest. And you get better.
Franco embodies that culture. Under Murilo’s mentorship, he’s grown not just as a competitor, but as a man. One of the core
lessons Franco carries with him is simple: always give your best, no matter the outcome. Because if you’ve truly given it your all, you can always be proud.
If you’re in New York City and want to learn from Franco, reach out to him on Instagram @franco.diazjj for private lessons. It’s one
of the best ways to support his career and sharpen your own game.
A Journey That Started on Peruvian Soil
Leaving Peru to train in the U.S. wasn’t just a travel move it was a life reset. The shift in lifestyle was complete. On the mat, Franco began to understand the level of sacrifice it
takes to chase greatness. Off the mat, he was learning what it means to build a better life from scratch.
He says it clearly: Jiu-Jitsu didn’t just become a sport. It became everything.
And now, after years of grinding in the trenches, he’s coming back to Peru not as a hopeful kid but as a world champ and rising star. He’s returning to teach and to inspire
the next generation.
Franco’s Code: Natural, Clear, and Committed
In a world where it’s easy to take shortcuts, Franco chooses the long road. He believes in staying clean and respecting his body,
rejecting performance-enhancing drugs as shortcuts that rob the sport of its integrity.
“Steroids destroy the beauty of any sport,” he says. “I love fighting, and that’s what I’m here to do. I never want to cheat or cut
corners, especially at the cost of my health.”
He’s not just talking the talk. He lives it.
Franco also believes that the role of a coach goes way beyond techniques. He sees himself as a mirror, someone calm and clear
enough to help others reflect, grow, and evolve.
“I want to liberate people with my teaching,” he says. “To help them get better at Jiu-Jitsu and in life.
The Guardian Project: Giving Back Where It Counts
While in Máncora, Franco will also be dedicating time to coach local youth through the Guardian Project XP’s initiative to give back by training under-resourced kids in the communities we visit.
This part of the trip might be the most meaningful.
Franco knows what it’s like to dream big in a place with limited resources. He’s lived it. And now, by returning home, he becomes a living example of what’s possible.
It’s a perfect synergy Franco, a success story from Peru, returning to help create more success stories.
What Separates the Good from the Great in BJJ
Ask any serious athlete and they’ll tell you: the most dangerous opponents are the ones who adapt.
Franco isn’t stuck in one style. He believes real growth comes from doing what’s hard what you’re not yet good at. For him, that means leaning into wrestling, takedowns, and developing a stronger No-Gi game.
But his development doesn’t stop at technique.
Off the mats, Franco is focused on clarity and self-awareness. He’s working on dismantling ego, staying mentally sharp, and avoiding the traps that can pull athletes off-course. He knows that mental discipline matters just as much as physical.
That’s what makes him different.
And that’s why he’s going far.
The XP Fit: Why We Chose Franco Diaz
Franco doesn’t join teams casually. For him to show up, there has to be trust, purpose, and community.
That’s exactly what XP is about.
We’re not just bringing him in for the hype. We believe in building something deeper creating spaces where athletes can thrive,
participants can grow, and local communities benefit. Franco is part of that mission.
He gets it. And we’re proud to have him with us in Máncora.
Franco Diaz:
The Future of BJJ Is Already Here
Franco Diaz has already made serious noise. World title. Lo’s blessing. Murilo’s mentorship. But this isn’t the end of his story it’s the beginning.
We believe that within the next few years, you’ll see his name listed next to the best in the world. Because he has what it takes. And because he’s doing it the right way.
If you train with him now, you’re not just getting ahead, you’re part of something that’s still rising.
Join the Movement in Máncora
This Máncora camp isn’t just another training week. It’s a turning point.
You’ll train with a world champ. You’ll watch a rising star return home. You’ll be part of the moment he starts giving back on the soil
where it all began.
Franco Diaz is more than qualified. He’s a fighter, a teacher, and an example of what happens when heart meets opportunity.
And if you’re in NYC and want to support his journey or learn directly from him, hit him up on Instagram. Training with Franco is a
privilege, and a way to fuel the next chapter of his rise.