Francisco Cuneo - Argentinian BJJ Champion

Francisco Cuneo, an Argentinian BJJ fighter started his martial art career as a judo player. His love for judo made him a member of Argentina’s National Judo squads (2005-2014). In 2014, after a number of extensive Judo Championships, he decided to try BJJ mats. Cuneo was awarded black belts in both Judo and BJJ.

Francisco opened his eyes on 21st October 1984 in the city of phenomenal nightlife (Buenos Aires) of Argentina.

Paco’s immense love for judo started in the early 2000s, at the age of 16. He practiced judo in Club Italiano under the mentorship of Sensei Pablo Diaz Soto. Receiving support from his Judo instructor who has a deeply embedded background in the judo and martial art culture, Cuneo made an immediate impact on the local level competitions.

In the short span of three years, Cuneo's performance and outbound skills stood him first in the toughest competition of 2004. He won his first brown belt In the 2004 Argentinian Championship.

Cuneo was awarded Black Belt by Sensei Tigran Karhanyan and Paula Pareto due to his outclass competition in the toughest divisions of adult ranks. These achievements made him a member of Argentina's National Judo Team from 2005 to 2014.

Despite his love for Judoka, Cuneo's world-class stand-up skills require a more technical mat approach. Francisco developed an interest in Jiu-Jitsu at the start of his martial art career because he saw it as a more well-rounded game. Cuneo’s grappling career started in 2014 with a Purple belt and continues to date with a first-degree Black Belt.

Paco started BJJ training under the supervision of Sebastian Munoz and Francisco Questa. According to the guidelines established by the Jiu-Jitsu association for top-level Judo competitors, his coaches advanced Cuneo to the Purple Belt.

Cuneo already earned a Purple Belt but he decided to rule the BJJ world. He started frequently visiting Brazil and practicing advanced BJJ techniques. In 2016, Cuneo succeeded to earn Black Belt.

Francisco's passion for Jiu-Jitsu eventually steered him off from Judo. However, In 2019 Eduardo Santos’s invitation to America made him a permanent BJJ practitioner. He continued his career as a BJJ Black Belt Competitor.

In 2022, Francisco faced Robert Sullivan in the final of the Washington D.C No-Gi Open. This match started with a takedown move. Both players tried hard to secure advantageous positions. Cuneo defeated his opponent and won by points in the end.

Cuneo competed against Luciano Bernert at Curitiba 2019 Summer Open No-Gi Championship. This final match seemed to be in Luciano's hand at the start but Cuneo applied a lethal heel hook. So, Cuneo secured the top position by defeating Luciano Bernert by heel hook submission.

Francisco fought against Tyler Scalisi at Charleston Summer Open No-Gi Championship.

Cuneo attacked his opponent with a Guillotine Choke. Tyler failed to escape from Cuneo's strong attack. At the end of the IBJJF final Charleston No-Gi Championships 2021, Francisco secured the title victory, representing Lotus Club USA.

Francisco started his judo career in his teens (2000). He claimed the Bronze Medals after extensive competition at the PJC World Cup, Olympic Festival, and Brazil World Cup.

Hugo Marques v Francisco Cuneo / Charleston Open NoGi 2022

Gesias "JZ” Cavalcante v Francisco Cuneo / Miami Open NoGi 2021

Kaynan Duarte VS Francisco Cuneo / Pan NoGi Championship 2020

Kieran Kichuk v Francisco Cuneo / New Orleans Open NoGi 2021

Ronaldo Junior VS Francisco Cuneo / Atlanta Open 2020

Photo credit: @positivejiujitsu