Long Island is home to a promising jiu-jitsu talent, Diamond Armero.
The 16-year-old from Smithtown boasts an impressive record and is currently ranked as the No. 2 teenager in martial arts worldwide.
After a training session at Vanguard Academy in Lake Grove, Armero shared, “I’ve fought over 400 times and won more than 400.” He paused, reflecting, “I think I’ve probably lost around 12 to 20 times.” At 5-foot-6 and weighing 130 pounds, he’s a force to be reckoned with.
Known for his formidable armbars, Armero has earned the admiration of the martial arts community, particularly UFC fighter Matt “Steamrolla” Frevola, who trains alongside him. Frevola, weighing in at 155 pounds, remarked, “This kid keeps me on my toes… I try not to rely on my strength against him, but he’s so skilled that, at times, you have to.” He added, “He’s here every day, putting in the work.”
rough diamond
Armero first stepped onto the mat at age 11 and quickly advanced to the adult class just months after starting Jiu-Jitsu.
Joining the academy with a shoulder injury, he was eager to gain the respect of the older fighters. “It took some time, but they eventually realized I could hold my own,” he explained.
Now, he finds that other fighters often seek him out for advice or to observe his techniques.
“I might be the youngest, but I know quite a bit… Normally, you’d earn your blue belt when you turn 16. I got mine 10 months early.”
Armero’s journey in Jiu-Jitsu was also shaped by his earlier struggles. “I faced bullying and wanted to learn how to defend myself,” he recalled. Ultimately, these experiences led him to find peace through martial arts. When confronted by bullies, he would warn them, and they usually thought better of escalating things.
He credits his maturity and self-control to the lessons learned in the dojo. “I’m disciplined. Pretty disciplined,” he affirmed.
shining time
The supportive environment at Vanguard has significantly influenced Armero’s growth, helping him navigate the typical challenges of a high school sophomore.
“I’ve made many great friends here,” he expressed.
With encouragement from his peers, he strives to uphold the principles of discipline both on and off the mat, even applying them in his classes at Smithtown East. “When I think back, it’s surprising how far I’ve come academically. I used to see C’s and D’s, but now I’m aiming for A’s and B’s,” he shared, expressing pride since he enjoys math.
“And if I didn’t hit the books, my mom wouldn’t let me train in Jiu-Jitsu,” he chuckled.
As a rising 11th grader, Armero plans to compete in the UFC by 18 and has set his sights beyond high school. Like fellow Long Islanders Aljamain Sterling and Al Iaquinta, he intends to engage in real estate, particularly flipping houses.
“I also want to open my own gym,” he said. “I can’t wait to give back to the community.”
When the time comes to make his debut in the Octagon, he knows who to turn to for preparation.
“I definitely need to keep working with Steamrolla on my striking to reach UFC standards,” Armero concluded. “He always pushes us hard.”
