Cleber Sousa was born on May 15, 1996, in São Mateus, a district of São Paulo, Brazil. Raised in humble circumstances in the neighborhood of Itaquera, Sousa faced significant financial hardships from a young age. To help support his family, he took on various jobs, including selling handcrafted items, marionettes, and sweets at local markets and on the streets. At age 13, Sousa received an invitation to train free of charge at the Almeida Jiu-Jitsu social project, marking the beginning of his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey.

Early Development and Mentorship

Sousa began his training at Almeida Jiu-Jitsu under the guidance of Gustavo Almeida. Quickly developing a passion for martial arts, he committed himself fully to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu by the time he reached the blue belt level. Throughout his progression, Sousa benefited from close mentorship by Caio Almeida, who played a pivotal role in refining his technical skills and competitive mindset. On December 11, 2016, Caio Almeida awarded Sousa his black belt, solidifying his transition into elite-level competition. Sousa continues to represent Almeida Jiu-Jitsu and Atos in international tournaments.

In September 2022, Sousa debuted in ONE Championship, competing against Mikey Musumeci for the inaugural ONE Flyweight Submission Grappling World Title. The highly anticipated match highlighted Sousa's resilience, technical precision, and strategic adaptability. Although he ultimately lost by decision, Sousa demonstrated his capability to compete at the highest levels of submission grappling, earning respect from peers and fans alike.

At BJJ Stars 13 in August 2024, Sousa delivered a memorable performance against Felipe Nacib. Utilizing relentless pressure and precise positional control, Sousa secured victory via smother tap submission. This impressive finish showcased his mastery of pressure-based techniques and strategic submission setups, further cementing his reputation as a formidable competitor within the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community.

Representing Almeida JJ, Sousa captured gold at the 2024 CBJJ Brazilian Nationals in the featherweight division. This achievement marked his second Brasileiro title at the black belt level, underscoring his consistent dominance and competitive excellence in one of Brazil's most prestigious national tournaments.

Cleber Sousa is recognized for his resilience, adaptability, and tactical intelligence in high-level competitions. His style emphasizes relentless pressure, strategic positional control, and precise submission setups. Sousa consistently achieves podium finishes in major gi and no-gi events, demonstrating a versatile and effective technical repertoire. His disciplined approach and analytical mindset have earned him widespread respect among fellow competitors and enthusiasts within the Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community.