The $56 Million BJJ Lawsuit: Jack Greener, Francisco Iturralde, and Both Sides of the Story
On November 29th, 2018, a routine jiu-jitsu training session turned into a nightmare. White belt Jack Greener was rolling with his instructor, black belt Francisco Iturralde (known as “Sinistro”), when a back take attempt went catastrophically wrong. Greener’s neck was caught in an awkward position, fracturing his cervical vertebrae and leaving him paralyzed from the neck down.
Years later, a San Diego jury awarded Greener $56 million — one of the largest settlements in BJJ history. But the story isn’t as simple as the headlines suggest.
Recently, Iturralde broke his silence with a detailed statement sharing his side. It’s a perspective that changes how you might view this tragedy.
What Happened on the Mats
The video footage is hard to watch. Greener was on all fours when Iturralde attempted a rolling back take. During the exchange, Greener’s neck got caught underneath their combined body weight in an unnatural position.
In most cases, you’d tuck your chin and roll through. But Greener’s neck was trapped. The result was immediate and devastating — he went limp, losing all function in his limbs.
Greener was hospitalized for several months, suffering multiple strokes as a result of his injuries. This happened just weeks before he was due to graduate from college.
The Lawsuit and Verdict
Greener sued Del Mar Jiu-Jitsu Club in San Diego. The case would become a landmark in BJJ legal liability, with implications for every gym owner in the country. In 2023, a jury awarded him $46 million. The studio appealed to the California Supreme Court, which denied overturning the judgment. With post-judgment interest, the award now exceeds $56 million.
Greener’s attorney stated: “The final appellate court’s ruling cements a critical legal victory not only for our client but also for injured athletes across California by reaffirming that sports instructors and facilities may be held accountable when they unreasonably increase risks beyond those inherent in the sport.”
The Expert Witness Controversy
Rener Gracie served as an expert witness for the plaintiff, testifying about how the technique was applied incorrectly.
This sparked controversy in the BJJ community. Gracie was paid $100,000 (approximately $3,000 per hour) for his testimony. Critics questioned whether he was the right choice as an “expert” and whether his compensation influenced his testimony.
In response to backlash, Gracie released a 22-minute video explaining:
- Iturralde performed the back take incorrectly, putting Greener at extreme risk
- The technique had never been taught at that academy in that manner
- Greener wasn’t a complete beginner — he had competed as a white belt
- Given the skill difference and execution, Iturralde failed to ensure student safety
Gracie later donated his $100,000 fee to charity, stating he didn’t testify for the money. Whether the donation came before or after the backlash is unclear.
Francisco Iturralde’s Statement
Recently, Iturralde posted a detailed letter sharing his perspective. It’s worth reading in full.
His Background
Iturralde has practiced jiu-jitsu since age 7. By 19, he’d won five world championships at colored belts. He trained under Professor Fabio Clemente in New York (the first BJJ academy owner in NYC) and later under the legendary Rubens “Cobrinha” Charles in Los Angeles, becoming one of the top five lightweight competitors of his generation.
His true passion, he says, was always teaching — not just competitors, but families and people who want to de-stress and enjoy the art.
His Account of the Incident
According to Iturralde:
“While we were practicing jiu-jitsu, my student Jack and I were in a sparring session. I was attempting a back take, and Jack attempted a Gramby roll, which is a wrestling move to escape the back take. As a result of the exchange of techniques, a tragic accident happened.”
He emphasizes it was an exchange of techniques — not a one-sided attack on a helpless beginner.
Jack Greener’s Actual Experience Level
This is where Iturralde’s account differs significantly from media coverage:
“Jack Greener was an incredible athlete. He had over a decade of wrestling experience and about four years of jiu-jitsu experience. He medaled in many tournaments, winning his weight and absolute divisions, showing extreme skill and an aggressive style when competing.”
Anyone who trains knows: a white belt with 10+ years of wrestling 和 4 years of BJJ who medals in tournaments is far beyond a “beginner.” Belt color doesn’t always reflect grappling ability.
The Aftermath and Trauma
Iturralde describes being traumatized by the incident:
“I was forced by my employer to stay at the gym and continue teaching classes. I was a nervous wreck; I was scared of teaching, I was scared of sparring… I couldn’t believe that the art I loved so much could, in a split second, cause something so tragic. It broke my heart.”
He eventually had to quit his job at Del Mar Jiu-Jitsu. He felt sick stepping on the mats.
Forbidden From Contact
Perhaps most heartbreaking:
“I was forbidden to talk or have any contact with my student Jack… Usually, when any of my students gets bumped or hurt, I truly care about them, follow up with them the same day and the next day.”
He even bought a book called Zen Mind, Beginner’s Mind hoping to help Jack find peace — but his employer prevented the delivery.
Insurance company lawyers forbade all contact as they handled the defense. Iturralde had no choice but to comply or face the legal battle alone.
His View of the Trial
Iturralde believes the trial was unfair:
“Plaintiff lawyers tried to prove I was reckless, pushing Jack beyond his limits. They manipulated evidence and prevented us from showing Jack’s wrestling expertise, his prior tournament experience, and other signs of his skills.”
He says lawyers used his nickname “Sinistro” against him, suggesting it implied recklessness and danger. They also allegedly fabricated claims about other lawsuits against him.
“Lawyers painted me as a terrible human being, which is not true. I am a caring instructor and father. I have been a vegetarian for over 10 years and cannot imagine harming any living being.”
The Harassment
Since the verdict, Iturralde has faced constant harassment:
“Internet trolls messaging me, people calling my phone and leaving threatening messages, wishing me the worst and saying they will make me pay for what happened.”
He hopes people will read his statement and understand there’s another side to the story.
The Silver Linings
Despite everything, there are positives:
Jack Greener recovered. As People Magazine reported, after extensive rehabilitation, he regained the ability to walk. He’s now a mountain climber and motivational speaker, having climbed mountains and raced bicycles. There’s a documentary about his journey from paralysis to climbing.
Iturralde found support. Thanks to Clark Gracie, who convinced him to keep training, Iturralde didn’t quit jiu-jitsu. He now owns Gentle Arts Jiu-Jitsu and continues teaching.
Medical bills are covered. Whatever you think about the verdict, Greener’s astronomical medical expenses will be paid.
What This Means for BJJ Gyms
The Greener v. Del Mar Jiu-Jitsu ruling sent shockwaves through the martial arts community — and not just because of the dollar amount. The California Supreme Court’s refusal to overturn the verdict established a precedent that liability waivers don’t protect gyms from claims of increased risk beyond what’s inherent in the sport.
Every BJJ gym in the country should be paying attention. The ruling means that an instructor who performs techniques recklessly — or puts students in positions that go beyond normal training risks — can be held personally and financially liable, regardless of what waiver the student signed.
For gym owners, the implications are clear: proper insurance coverage is no longer optional, it’s essential. Instructor training protocols need documentation. Sparring guidelines — especially between students and instructors of vastly different skill levels — should be formalized and enforced.
The case also raises questions about the duty of care instructors owe to students during live rolling. Where does “inherent risk” end and “unreasonable risk” begin? California courts drew that line in Greener’s favor, and other states may follow.
The Takeaway
There are no winners here.
Jack Greener paid the price for training — a catastrophic injury that changed his life. Yes, he won money, but money doesn’t equal health.
Francisco Iturralde lives with the trauma of accidentally injuring someone he cared about, followed by years of legal battles and public vilification.
The incident was clearly unintentional. Iturralde didn’t walk onto the mats thinking, “I’m going to break this guy’s neck.” It was a freak accident during a legitimate exchange of techniques.
But the legal system doesn’t always align with what practitioners understand about the inherent risks of grappling. And the media coverage rarely captures the nuance.
Given how things ended — Greener walking, climbing mountains, Iturralde still teaching — this may be the best possible outcome from such a terrible situation.
As Iturralde closed his statement:
“I love you all, jiu-jitsu community. Jiu-jitsu has given me the greatest purpose in my life, and I will keep giving back to this art until my last breath. Oss.”
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