Cole Franson

Cole Franson was born on July 26, 1994, in the United States, and developed a natural affinity for athletic competition from an early age. He devoted much of his childhood to football (soccer) and baseball, building the physical discipline and competitive mindset that would later define his martial arts career. Alongside team sports, Franson cultivated a deep fascination with pro-wrestling as a fan, drawn to the theatrical intensity of WWE-style shows.

That passion for combat sports served as a gateway. His love for professional wrestling led him to explore mixed martial arts during his early teens, and exposure to UFC bouts sparked a genuine curiosity about the technical disciplines underpinning modern combat sports. Recognizing Brazilian jiu-jitsu as one of the most widely applied and effective tools inside the octagon, Franson made the decision to step onto the mats and begin training.

Early Obstacles and the Wrestling Bridge

Franson's path into BJJ was not without early disruption. His first academy closed its doors within six months of him beginning training — an interruption that redirected him toward high school wrestling at Alta Sierra Junior High School and later Buchanan High School. Rather than abandoning grappling entirely, he channeled his competitive drive into wrestling, building foundational mat experience that would directly complement his jiu-jitsu development in the years ahead.

Finding a Home at Fresno Kickboxing Academy

In 2008, Franson returned to jiu-jitsu and found a more permanent home at the Fresno Kickboxing Academy — later renamed Halo BJJ — training under coach Ray Alvarado, a student of Maurício Mariano, widely known as Tinguinha. This connection placed Franson firmly within the Tinguinha JJ lineage from an early stage in his development. Under Alvarado's guidance, he progressed from white belt through purple belt, all while continuing to balance jiu-jitsu with competitive high school wrestling. The dual athletic commitment reflected both his multi-sport background and an unwavering work ethic.

Transition to Tinguinha HQ and Black Belt Promotion

In 2013, Franson made the pivotal move to train directly at Tinguinha Jiu Jitsu headquarters under Maurício Mariano himself. Mariano oversaw Franson's progression through the brown belt level and ultimately awarded him his black belt in July 2018 — a milestone that arrived precisely as Franson was proving his readiness on the international competition circuit.

Purple Belt Promise

Long before earning his black belt, Franson had already established himself as one of America's most promising competitors through a series of standout performances across the colored belt divisions. He announced his elite-level potential in 2015, claiming a silver medal at the IBJJF World Championship as a purple belt — a result that placed him among the best in his division at one of the sport's most prestigious events.

Brown Belt Dominance

That competitive trajectory accelerated into his brown belt years with remarkable consistency. In 2017, Franson captured gold at the SJJF World Championship and added a bronze medal at the UAEJJF Grand Slam LA, while also reaching the podium at the IBJJF Pans No-Gi Championship and the IBJJF San Diego BJJ Pro. The IBJJF World Championship that same year yielded another bronze medal finish, reinforcing his standing at the top of the brown belt division.

The 2018 brown belt season represented the peak of Franson's pre-black belt career. He won gold at the 2018 IBJJF Pan American Championship — one of the most coveted titles in colored belt competition — demonstrating his ability to perform under pressure at the highest level. That year also brought a gold medal at the UAEJJF Continental Pro and a victory at FIVE Grappling California, cementing his reputation as one of the sport's most accomplished competitors heading into his black belt promotion.

Immediate Impact at Black Belt

The transition to black belt in July 2018 barely slowed Franson's competitive momentum. Within months of receiving his promotion from Maurício Mariano, he made an immediate impact on the international black belt circuit in the Peso Pena division (70 kg / 154.5 lbs). Later that year, Franson claimed gold at the IBJJF Asian Open and the IBJJF Seattle Open, while also winning the IBJJF Las Vegas Open No-Gi — a trio of results that announced his arrival among the sport's elite at the highest belt level.

Building an International Résumé in 2019

Franson carried that momentum into 2019, extending his competitive reach across multiple continents. A silver medal at the IBJJF European Open No-Gi demonstrated his ability to perform at the top level on foreign soil, while a second-place finish at the SJJIF World Championship No-Gi reinforced his consistency across no-gi formats. The 2019 IBJJF World Championship No-Gi brought his most prestigious black belt result to that point — a bronze medal finish at the sport's most celebrated event, confirming that his ascent through the ranks had translated seamlessly to the highest level of competition.