Luiz Felipe do N. F. Neto
“Zicro”
Source: graciemag.comFelipe “Zicro” Neto carried Jacaré’s teaching from Rio and Atlanta to Tallahassee, building a school around technical learning and family participation.
Biography
Sources for this profile
BJJ Heroes, full original biography, undated.(opens in a new tab)
After Cavalcanti moved to the United States in 1997, Neto taught morning classes at the Rio academy.
Where in the source: Biography: It was during that period, particularly in 1997; Zicro took care of the morning classes
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BJJ Heroes says Maurício Villardo introduced Neto to Tallahassee police officers seeking a jiu-jitsu instructor before his 2007 move.
Where in the source: Biography final paragraphs: It was through Maurício Villardo
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BJJ Heroes explicitly identifies Felipe “Zicro” Neto as Luiz Felipe do N. F. Neto and places him in Romero Cavalcanti’s Alliance lineage.
Where in the source: Full Name: Luiz Felipe do N. F. Neto; Lineage paragraph
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BJJ Heroes places his first classes under Fernando Pinduka Guimarães, followed a few months later by Romero Cavalcanti’s academy.
Where in the source: Biography paragraphs beginning As a teenager and A few months later
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His teaching approach emphasizes leverage, timing and weight distribution before advanced guards.
Where in the source: Biography final paragraph: step by step; full knowledge of the basics
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Graciemag, Rio de Janeiro, Portuguese-language profile by Marcelo Dunlop, 23 December 2024. Built partly on his own answers to the BJJ Fanatics Podcast.(opens in a new tab)
The magazine gives his full name as Luiz Felipe Neto, an Alliance black belt since 1998, and says he holds a degree in physical education and has played several other sports.
Where in the source: Luiz Felipe Neto, faixa-preta da Alliance desde 1998, formou-se em educação física, surfou, treinou judô, jogou futebol e não faz feio no futevôlei na praia, entre tantos esportes que admira
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The article identifies Romero «Jacaré» Cavalcanti as the master who trained him.
Where in the source: garante o professor formado por Romero “Jacaré” Cavalcanti
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The nickname Zicro came from his admiration for the Flamengo midfielder Zico.
Where in the source: Felipe, que ganhou seu apelido “Zicro” pela admiração que nutria pelo fino meio-campo Zico do Flamengo
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He says he began training at about 17 years old, in 1989, at the Clube Federal in Rio de Janeiro, where he used to go when he played football and where a young champion named Fabio Gurgel was teaching.
Where in the source: Quando jogava bola, ia muito ao clube Federal, onde um jovem campeão chamado Fabio Gurgel ensinava a arte suave. “Comecei a treinar ali pelos 17 anos, em 1989
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He jokes that he has trained so long that there were only two kinds of guard when he started, open or closed, and that the triangle only came from guard.
Where in the source: Costumo dizer que treino há tanto tempo que só existiam dois tipos de guarda – aberta ou fechada. Triângulo? Só da guarda
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He now teaches in Tallahassee, Florida, having left for it in 2007 and left behind his sporting life in Leblon, Rio de Janeiro.
Where in the source: Hoje, ele dá aulas em Talahassee, na Flórida, para onde zarpou em 2007, deixando para trás sua vida esportiva no Leblon, no Rio de Janeiro
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The article says Jacaré began teaching him in Ipanema, in an old academy built inside a disused theatre.
Where in the source: começou a ensiná-lo em Ipanema, na velha academia construída no espaço de um teatro desativado
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He puts his own time in the sport at more than 35 years and says what matters is consistency, going up one step every day and never stopping.
Where in the source: “Comecei há mais de 35 anos. Hoje percebo que o Jiu-Jitsu é uma jornada que não tem fim. O que importa é a consistência nos treinamentos, para você subir todos os dias um degrau, e não parar de treinar nunca
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He describes the goal, in the end, as being a good example and influencing colleagues, students, children and relatives positively.
Where in the source: A nossa meta, no fim das contas, é sermos bons exemplos, para influenciar de modo positivo os colegas, alunos, filhos e parentes
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His first tournament was the Copa Blue Marlin in Teresópolis, as a white belt, against Paulo Guillobel; he pulled guard and his opponent attacked from the top.
Where in the source: “Meu primeiro torneio foi em Teresópolis, na faixa-branca mesmo”, lembra o professor da Alliance. “E meu adversário foi outro cara que chegou longe – o Paulo Guillobel. Puxei para a guarda e ele ficou atacando por cima. O torneio era a Copa Blue Marlin
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The article dates a surfing episode to 1985, when he was 13.
Where in the source: Em 1985, aos 13 anos
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Around the mid-1990s he went to San Diego to learn English, trained with Fabio Santos and visited Rickson Gracie’s dojo, and it was there that he became a brown belt.
Where in the source: foi aprender inglês em San Diego e se encantou com a Califórnia, e os treininhos com mestre Fabinho Santos e visitas ao dojo de Rickson Gracie. Seu inglês evoluiu, e seu Jiu-Jitsu nem se fala. Foi lá que se tornou faixa-marrom
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In 1998 Jacaré took him to Atlanta to be his right hand in the classes at the Alliance headquarters in the United States.
Where in the source: Em 1998, Romero o levou a Atlanta, para ser seu braço-direito nas aulas no QG da Alliance nos EUA
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He says that until then he only wanted to learn and enjoy himself, and that under Jacaré he learned to connect techniques and to teach, and saw how a school works from the start of a class to its end.
Where in the source: “Até ali, eu só queria aprender e me divertir. Com Jacaré passei a conectar as técnicas, os ensinamentos, e aprendi a ensinar. Pude perceber como uma escola funciona, como uma aula começa e termina. Ali vi que aquilo seria meu ofício e minha missão
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He describes Tallahassee as a university town where most of his students stay with him about five years before returning to their own cities and countries.
Where in the source: é que Talahassee é uma cidade universitária; meus alunos, em sua maioria, acabam que ficam comigo por cinco anos, e depois voltam para suas cidades e países
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The article says his academy is now a required stop for Alliance friends and students arriving in the United States, and that it often hosts seminars and birthday parties for Jacaré.
Where in the source: Hoje, a academia de Felipe Zicro é parada obrigatória para os amigos e alunos da Alliance que chegam aos EUA, e costuma abrigar seminários esplêndidos e festas de aniversário do mestrão Jacaré
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Asked what more than 30 years as a professional have taught him, he answers that there is no better place to make good friends than the jiu-jitsu mat.
Where in the source: ele não tem dúvidas: “Não há lugar melhor para se fazer boas amizades do que o tatame de Jiu-Jitsu
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Graciemag, short English-language interview credited to the editorial desk, no named interviewer, 13 September 2011.(opens in a new tab)
A Graciemag interview from 2011 says he started jiu-jitsu at 17 at the Master Academy in Rio de Janeiro, under Romero «Jacaré» Cavalcanti.
Where in the source: who started Jiu-Jitsu at 17 years old at the legendary Master Academy, in Rio de Janeiro, under Master Romero “Jacaré” Cavalcanti
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He says he has been in sport since childhood, starting judo at six years old, and met jiu-jitsu as a teenager.
Where in the source: I’ve been into sports since I was a child, with judo at 6 years old. I encountered Jiu-Jitsu as a teenager
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He says he cannot claim jiu-jitsu changed his life completely, but that it strengthened values he names as discipline, respect, honor, integrity and loyalty.
Where in the source: I cannot say that Jiu-Jitsu changed completely my life, but I can sure say that it strengthen my values, such as discipline, respect, honor, integrity and loyalty
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Asked what makes an academy work, he answers that the owner must like the job of helping people develop, and that being a great champion is worth nothing on its own if nothing else was developed during the career.
Where in the source: To me, the most important quality a professor/owner of a Jiu-Jitsu academy must have is to like what he or she does, which is to help people to develop. To be a great teacher being a great champion is worthless if that is the only thing you developed during your career
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He lists communication, organisation, handling delicate situations, creativity, leadership, persistence and responsibility as what a teacher needs, and says a degree matters, preferably in management or physical education.
Where in the source: You have to know how to communicate and organize, to deal with delicate situations, have creativity, leadership, be persistent, responsible and to know how to transmit your technical knowledge. Those are things you learn at school, so I consider vital to have a degree, preferably in Management or Physical Education
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He says competition brings him satisfaction, but that what he tries to build at his academy is a more family-oriented environment where teenagers, women and children develop alongside the athletes.
Where in the source: Competitions bring me a lot of satisfaction, but Jiu-Jitsu is the environment that I try to create in my academy, more family oriented. Other than athletes, teenagers, women and children develop themselves daily on our classes
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He calls it priceless to watch someone learn to defend herself, to see an office worker work off stress, to see weight come off a heavy student, and to see a lonely person come away with friends.
Where in the source: To see a housewife learn to defend herself, an executive to vent his stress, an overweight person loose weight and a lonesome guy or girl not only learn Jiu-Jitsu but make a lot of friends is something priceless
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As early as 2011 the magazine describes him as the leader of Alliance Tallahassee, a GMA member school in Florida.
Where in the source: GMA member school Alliance Tallahassee is a safe place if you are looking for a top class Jiu-Jitsu training facility in Florida
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On The Mat, written question-and-answer interview by Riccardo Ammendolia, 12 October 2006, with an introduction by the interviewer and a closing seminar notice supplied by the promoter.(opens in a new tab)
Asked in 2006 where he taught in Brazil, he answered CIA Athlética, with Fernando Gurgel in Gávea, plus some private group classes.
Where in the source: Where do you currently teach in Brazil? ZICRO) In the best fitness center of the country ( CIA Athlética ), with Fernando Gurgel in Gávea and some private group classes
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The interviewer writes in 2006 that he had retired from competition but still trained with current champions and taught, and was living in Leblon in Rio de Janeiro.
Where in the source: Felipe has retired from competitions however still dedicates his time to training with current champions and teaching brazillian jiu-jitsu as well as enjoying the amazing life in beautiful Leblon, Rio De Janeiro
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The interviewer, a Canadian who first visited Jacaré’s academy in Atlanta in 1999, writes that Neto was the person to go to there for the latest techniques from Brazil.
Where in the source: The first year I visited Jacares academy in Atlanta in 1999, Zicro was the go to guy to learn all of the latest techniques from Brazil as well as spar with to get a lesson in humility
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Asked whether he had trained with Rickson Gracie, he answered that he had visited the school back then, together with Fábio Santos.
Where in the source: Yes… I went to his school with Fábio Santos at the time
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He gives his hobbies outside jiu-jitsu as surf, tennis, spear gun fishing and reading.
Where in the source: What are your hobbies outside of Jiu-jitsu? ZICRO) Surf, Tennis, spear gun fish, and reading
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Asked who the best fighters were apart from Rickson Gracie, he named Fabio Gurgel, Léo Vieira, Ricardo Vieira and Royler from his own generation, and Roger Gracie, Ronaldo Jacaré, Pé de pano, Marcelo Garcia and André Galvão from the new one.
Where in the source: From my generation Fabio Gurgel, Léo Vieira, Ricardo Vieira, Royler etc… There are so many good guys. For the new generation Roger Gracie just started getting his name, Ronaldo Jacaré, Pé de pano, Marcelo Garcia, André Galvão
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In 2006 he said he was thinking about moving abroad, was looking at universities for a master’s degree, and had teaching opportunities coming his way.
Where in the source: Yes, I’ve been thinking about it… I was looking for some universities to obtain my masters degree, and also some good opportunities to teach are knocking on my door right now
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A seminar notice at the foot of the interview places him at the Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Institute in Downingtown, Pennsylvania on 21 October 2006, for three hours from 11am.
Where in the source: October 21st 2006 at the Brazilian Jiu-jitsu Institute in Downigtown, PA, USA. -The seminar will be 3 hours in duration from 11Am to 2 Pm
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The same notice describes him as a second degree black belt under Romero Cavalcante and lists Fabio Gurgel, Roberto Traven, Alexandre Paiva, Rodrigo Comprido, Ricardo and Leo Vieira and Leonardo Castelo Branco among those he trained extensively with.
Where in the source: ZICRO is Black belt 2nd degree, under Romero Cavalcante – ‘Jacare’; trained extensively with Fabio Gurgel, Roberto Travem, Alexandre Paiva, Rodrigo Comprido, Ricardo and Leo Vieiira, Leonardo Castelo Branco, ad others
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The same notice says he holds a degree in physical education, with a postgraduate qualification as a sport personal trainer, and that he spent years assisting with instruction at Alliance in Atlanta.
Where in the source: Zicro has plenty of experience teaching and is fluent in English as he was the assistant instrucotr at the Alliance Atlanta academy for many years. Zicro is also a graduate in Physical Education, Post graduation sport personal trainer
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The notice also lists Alliance Academy Ipanema, Rio de Janeiro, 96 to 98, among the places he taught.
Where in the source: Alliance Academy Ipanema RJ. 96 a 98
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Alliance Jiu-Jitsu Tallahassee, the academy's own instructor listing, as it stood on 20 September 2026.(opens in a new tab)
His own academy lists him as head instructor and director, a sixth degree Alliance black belt under Romero Jacaré Cavalcante, with a degree in physical education from Estácio de Sá University.
Where in the source: Felipe “Zicro” Neto Head Instructor Alliance 6th Degree Black Belt under Romero Jacaré Cavalcante Director/Head Instructor of Alliance Jiu-Jitsu Academy Degree in Physical Education Estacio de Sa University
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Royco Web Design, Tallahassee, a client entry in the firm's own portfolio listing, undated.(opens in a new tab)
A Tallahassee web design firm describes him as a third degree black belt, a practitioner of Brazilian jiu-jitsu, and the man who heads the Alliance team in that city.
Where in the source: Felipe 'Zicro' Neto who holds the title of Third Degree Black Belt, is a practitioner of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and is the head instructor of the Alliance Tallahassee Team, in Tallahassee, Florida
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Sensō Jiu Jitsu, a retailer's blog, republishing a technique item that first appeared in Graciemag, 11 July 2019.(opens in a new tab)
A Graciemag technique piece republished in 2019 calls him the leader of the GMI school Zicro Academy in Tallahassee, Florida, and notes that he was passing through Brazil and visited friends at Alliance Leblon.
Where in the source: Líder da nossa GMI Zicro Academy, em Tallahassee na Flórida, Felipe “Zicro” Neto está de passagem pelo Brasil, e aproveitou para visitar alguns amigos da Alliance Leblon
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In its written explanation of the two lapel attacks, the article describes Neto establishing side control and opening the lapel, then wrapping the opponent’s head and moving to knee-on-belly.
Where in the source: No vídeo, Felipe controla na posição de cem-quilos e abre a lapela, antes de envolver a cabeça do oponente e jogar o joelho na barriga
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Alliance Jiu-Jitsu Tallahassee, BJJ Lineage, current undated official biography.(opens in a new tab)
His academy dates his black-belt promotion to January 20, 1998, at Alliance headquarters in Atlanta, where he worked for two years as Cavalcanti’s assistant.
Where in the source: Felipe “Zicró” Neto section: promoted to Black Belt on January 20, 1998
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Graciemag newsroom, Zicro earns 4th-degree black belt, 13 February2012.(opens in a new tab)
Graciemag reported in February 2012 that Cavalcanti awarded Neto the fourth degree on his black belt in Atlanta.
Where in the source: 13/02/2012; His master ... awarded Zicro with the 4th degree
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Graciemag News Room, full Portuguese interview, 28 July2025.(opens in a new tab)
In July 2025, Graciemag reported a renovation at Alliance Tallahassee; Neto emphasized mat space, comfort, safety and parents being able to exercise while their children trained.
Where in the source: 28/07/2025; opening and first question Quais são os detalhes
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He described Alliance’s structured learning programme as a strength and said infrastructure and operations had been his school’s largest changes over the years.
Where in the source: O perfil da sua escola ... infraestrutura e a parte operacional foram as evoluções mais significativas
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He identified management, technology, programmes for different students, service, a welcoming organised space and marketing as foundations of an academy.
Where in the source: Apesar da necessidade de se atualizar ... os pilares primordiais
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He predicted consolidation into academy networks and advised instructors to learn business management as well as technique.
Where in the source: Que dicas você daria ... escala faz diferença ... números, gestão e padrão de excelência
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