Inácio Neto

Inácio Neto was born on May 22, 1987, in Brasília, Brazil. At age 13, he began his Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu journey under the mentorship of Marcelo Castro. Castro guided Neto from white belt through brown belt, instilling strong fundamentals and shaping his technical foundation.

In 2012, Neto traveled to the United States for six months, actively competing and exploring the American grappling scene. After briefly returning to Brazil, he relocated permanently to the US in 2014. That same year, he received his black belt from Flávio Almeida, who promoted him on behalf of Neto's longtime mentor, Marcelo Castro.

Settling in Texas, Neto quickly established himself as a dedicated instructor, teaching approximately 30 classes per week across multiple Gracie Barra academies and offering private lessons.

After several years of teaching and competing throughout Texas, Neto founded his own academy, Gracie Barra McKinney, located near Dallas. As head instructor and owner, he oversees daily operations and instructs both children and adults. Despite the demands of running an academy, Neto maintains a rigorous training schedule, continually refining his technique and staying competition-ready.

Strategic Guard Play and Submission Hunting

Inácio Neto is widely recognized for his mastery of the 50/50 Guard, frequently employing it to control opponents and set up submissions. His tactical approach combines patient guard work with aggressive submission attempts, making him a versatile and challenging competitor. Neto consistently demonstrates adaptability and technical precision in both Gi and No-Gi formats, excelling across various grappling rulesets.

Inácio Neto achieved a significant career milestone by capturing gold at the 2021 IBJJF World No-Gi Championship held in Dallas. Despite limited preparation time and balancing an intense teaching schedule, Neto showcased resilience, strategic composure, and technical excellence, solidifying his status as a World No-Gi Champion.

Even as an academy owner, Neto remains highly active in competition. He regularly participates in prestigious superfight events such as Fight To Win and Third Coast Grappling, securing notable submission victories between 2019 and 2020. Additionally, Neto frequently competes in IBJJF Opens and Masters divisions, consistently testing himself against elite-level opponents.

Promoted to third-degree black belt, Neto is recognized as a senior leader within the Gracie Barra organization. He actively mentors students, embodying the Gracie Barra ethos by leading through example in both teaching and competition. Neto's influence extends beyond his academy, positively impacting the local Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community through dedicated instruction, consistent competitive presence, and exemplary leadership.