Kleber Paulino

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.

Kleber began his jiu-jitsu training under Orlando Guerra at Gracie Barra's storied headquarters in Barra da Tijuca, one of the most prestigious training environments in the world. His talent was evident from the outset. As a juvenile competitor, he earned medals at both the IBJJF World Jiu-Jitsu Championship and the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals — a remarkable feat for an athlete still in his formative years. In 2001, competing at the yellow belt juvenile level, he claimed gold at the CBJJ Brazilian Nationals; by 2003, he had reached the podium at the IBJJF World Championship as a blue belt juvenile.

His exceptional performances on and off the mats earned him a rare distinction: while still a blue belt, Kleber was appointed assistant instructor at Gracie Barra HQ — a recognition that spoke as much to his leadership and character as to his technical ability. All of his belts were awarded directly by Carlos Gracie Junior, the founder of Gracie Barra, forging a deeply personal lineage connection that underscored the trust and respect Kleber had cultivated within the organization.

His brown belt years represented a strong competitive chapter, highlighted by a gold medal at the IBJJF Rio International Open in 2008. On December 15, 2008, he received his black belt — a milestone that marked the culmination of nearly two decades of unwavering dedication to the art.

Following his black belt promotion, Kleber Paulino — known widely by his nickname Buiú — established himself as one of the most formidable no-gi competitors on both the Brazilian and international circuits, competing in the Meio Pesado division (88.30 kg / 195.0 lbs). The years immediately following his promotion were among the most productive of his career.

Building an International Resume

In 2010, Buiú demonstrated his competitive range across multiple prestigious stages: he claimed 3rd place at both the IBJJF World No-Gi Championship and the 2010 IBJJF European Open Championship, finished 2nd at the IBJJF Rio International Open, and secured 3rd at the CBJJ Brazilian No-Gi Nationals. That momentum carried into 2011, as he claimed back-to-back CBJJ Brazilian No-Gi National Championship titles — cementing his status as the dominant force in his division on the domestic stage.

Pan No-Gi Championship and Lasting Competitive Longevity

The pinnacle of his no-gi career arrived in 2012, when Buiú won the IBJJF Pan No-Gi Championship, one of the most coveted no-gi titles in the sport. The victory validated years of focused preparation and consistent high-level performance. Years later, in 2017, he returned to the national no-gi stage and earned a 2nd place finish at the CBJJ Brazilian No-Gi Nationals — a result that spoke to the enduring quality and adaptability of his game well beyond his peak competitive years.

After earning his black belt, Kleber took on an expanded role within the Gracie Barra organization, becoming one of the senior coaches at the team's flagship headquarters in Barra da Tijuca. Teaching alongside Jefferson Moura, he contributed directly to the development of the next generation of Gracie Barra athletes, transmitting the technical depth and competitive mindset instilled in him through years of training under Carlos Gracie Junior.

In March 2017, Kleber took the entrepreneurial step of opening his own Gracie Barra franchise in Parque Olímpico — the landmark sports district in Rio de Janeiro constructed for the 2016 Olympic Games — bringing world-class BJJ instruction to one of the city's most symbolically significant athletic venues. His trajectory from student at Barra da Tijuca's renowned headquarters, to blue belt assistant instructor, to senior coach, and finally to franchise owner represents a complete leadership arc within the Gracie Barra family — a career built not only on competitive excellence, but on a lasting commitment to teaching and growing the art.