Francisco Gomes de Sousa

Francisco "Neto" Gomes de Sousa is the owner and main instructor of Renzo Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Westlake Village. A 4th degree IBJJF black belt, he grew up in Niterói, Rio de Janeiro, started out as a wrestler, and moved to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu at 18. In 2000 he began training under Osvaldo Alves, an IBJJF red belt, and earned his black belt in 2008. Neto has competed in Brazil, Abu Dhabi, and the United States and is a three-time world champion in both gi and no-gi. He developed a friendship with Renzo Gracie during the 2000s, and discussions about affiliating with the Renzo Gracie Academy led him to open his own school, which he runs in the Renzo Gracie tradition.