Felipe Neto

Felipe Neto, widely known by his nickname "Zicro," was born on January 7, 1972, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and raised in the Leblon neighbourhood on the city's South Zone. His martial arts journey began at age 8, training judo under coach Bernardo at what would become the Sabatini Judo Club — a foundation that instilled in him a deep respect for technique and discipline.

As a teenager, Felipe stepped away from martial arts in favor of surfing, a natural pull for any young man immersed in Leblon's beach culture. At 17, he discovered Brazilian jiu-jitsu and began training under Fernando Pinduka Guimaraes. The introduction proved pivotal. Shortly after, his close friend Roni introduced him to Romero Cavalcanti's gym, and from that moment, the academy became his permanent training home — the starting point of a lifelong association with what would grow into one of the most storied teams in BJJ history.

Felipe Neto's tenure at Romero Cavalcanti's academy placed him at the center of one of Brazilian jiu-jitsu's most significant institutional evolutions. He witnessed the academy's transformation firsthand — from its origins as Jacaré Jiu-Jitsu, through its rebranding as Master Team, and ultimately into Alliance Jiu-Jitsu — a progression that would shape the global BJJ landscape for decades.

Earning his blue and purple belts under Romero Cavalcanti in Rio de Janeiro, Felipe built his game steadily and methodically through the ranks. In 1995, as a purple belt, he traveled to San Diego for a year of training, expanding his technical exposure beyond Rio's competitive environment. During that period, Fabio Santos promoted him to brown belt — a milestone that signaled his emergence as a serious practitioner. Returning to Rio de Janeiro, Felipe transitioned into a coaching role on Alliance's main academy staff, a position that reflected the organization's confidence in his abilities. His longevity within the team would later distinguish him as the longest-running Alliance black belt member outside the team's founding circle.

In 1998, Romero Cavalcanti personally invited Felipe Neto to relocate to the United States — making him the first Alliance team member to make the move at Cavalcanti's direct request. His mission was clear: support the growth of the Alliance US academy in Atlanta and help establish the program's identity in the American market alongside Master "Jacaré."

Upon joining Alliance Atlanta, Felipe received his black belt from Romero Cavalcanti, a recognition of both his technical mastery and his trusted standing within the organization. Over the following two years, he played an instrumental role in shaping the academy's direction and developing its student base. After completing his tenure in Atlanta, Felipe returned to Brazil to pursue a degree in Physical Education, grounding his coaching philosophy in formal academic study. In 2003, he accepted a head instructor position at the Cia Athletica gym before returning to Alliance to teach alongside Fernando Magrao Gurgel, further reinforcing his deep roots in the team's coaching infrastructure.

Felipe Neto's return to the United States in 2007, facilitated through a connection with Maurício Villardo, opened a new chapter in his BJJ career. Establishing himself in Florida, he built a reputation as both a competitive practitioner and a dedicated educator, becoming a leading figure in the state's jiu-jitsu community.

Competition Record and Achievements

Competing at the black belt level, Felipe claimed notable titles including the Florida State FFBJJ Championship and the NAGA Championship. His earlier decorated career at the colored belt levels includes a Pan American IBJJF Championship runner-up finish at brown belt and a Rickson Gracie Cup Championship at purple belt — results that reflect consistent, high-level performance across the full arc of his competitive development.

A Teaching Philosophy Rooted in Fundamentals

Beyond his competition record, Felipe's most enduring contribution to Florida's BJJ scene lies in his teaching methodology. Representing the United States in competition while remaining deeply connected to Brazilian BJJ tradition, he is recognized for a deliberate "step by step" instructional approach — one that prioritizes mastery of fundamental techniques before introducing more complex or advanced movements. Shaped by decades of training and coaching within one of BJJ's premier organizations, this philosophy has made Felipe an influential voice in the development of practitioners across Florida and beyond.