Kleber Paulino was born on September 20, 1986, in Morro do Juramento, a community nestled in the North Zone of Rio de Janeiro's Vicente de Carvalho area. As a young child, he relocated to the world-famous Barra da Tijuca neighborhood on Rio's West Zone — a move that would prove formative in shaping both his character and his athletic destiny.
Kleber's martial arts journey began remarkably early, reflecting the rich combat sports culture woven into Brazilian society. At just four years old, he took his first steps on the mats through capoeira, the Afro-Brazilian martial art that fuses fluid movement, rhythm, and self-defense. At seven, he transitioned to taekwondo, deepening his understanding of striking mechanics and physical discipline. It was at age ten, however, that Kleber discovered Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu — and found the art that would define his life. His passage through capoeira and taekwondo before committing to BJJ gifted him a well-rounded athletic foundation, one that would later distinguish his movement, timing, and body awareness on the mats.