Lengthy Island has a real gem in jiujitsu star Diamond Armello.
The Smithtown 16-year-old has a glowing future forward because the world’s second-ranked teen within the martial artwork, with a document that speaks for itself.
“I’ve had over 400 fights — and it’s over 400 wins,” Armello advised The Submit after a coaching session at Vanguard Academy in Lake Grove.
“I feel I’ve misplaced perhaps 12 occasions, or 20,” added the 5-foot-6, 130-pounder.
Mighty Armello — opponents concern his cruel armbar — has earned the respect of the fight sports activities group, notably from Lengthy Island UFC star Matt “Steamrolla” Frevola, who trains with {the teenager}.
“This child retains me on my toes. … I all the time strive to not use my power and dimension on him, however then once more, he’s so good typically I’ve to,” stated the 155-pound Frevola, 36.
“He’s in right here day by day, working his a– off.”
Diamond within the tough
Armello first hit the mats at 11, and he was promoted to grownup lessons simply months into studying jiujitsu.
He got here in with a chip on his shoulder and stated precedence No. 1 was incomes the respect of his older friends.
“It took some time for them, however they finally realized that I can deal with myself,” Armello stated.
Issues are on the level now the place different fighters usually come to him for recommendation or to look at him do a transfer proper.
“Regardless that I’m the youngest, I do know a variety of stuff … usually, you possibly can’t get your blue belt till the day you turn out to be 16. I bought mine 10 months early.”
There was one thing else Armello had been grappling with as a tween that led him to pursue jiujitsu and finally helped him uncover his unmatched expertise.
“I used to get picked on quite a bit. I needed to learn to defend myself if I ever wanted to,” he stated.
Armello finally discovered peace by the artwork of warfare and by no means needed to lay a hand on a bully. Dopey teenagers have been smart to again off after he gave a verbal warning of what might occur subsequent.
Armello attributes restraint and maturity past his years to what he learns within the studio.
“I hold my self-control — a variety of self-control,” he stated.
Time to shine
Companions and coaching companions at Vanguard have turn out to be an extremely optimistic affect on Armello’s life and a significant cause he can rise above teenage sophomoric conduct.
“I’ve made a variety of actually cool buddies right here,” he stated.
The position fashions he rolls with have additionally inspired Diamond to maintain doing the suitable issues exterior the room, and he’s proudly taken the self-discipline rules of jiujitsu into the school rooms of Smithtown East as properly.
“Once I look again, I’m like, ‘wow,’ the place I got here from academically. I was a C, D pupil. Now I’m an A, B pupil,” stated the maths lover.
“And, if I don’t research, my mother’s not going to let me come to jiujitsu,” he stated, laughing.
The rising eleventh grader already has a succession plan laid out for after highschool, beginning with coming into the UFC at age 18.
Just like fellow Lengthy Island fighters Aljamain Sterling and Al Iaquinta, Armello plans to flip homes as an actual property agent on the facet.
“I additionally plan on opening my very own fitness center,” Armello stated. “I can’t wait to provide again to my group.”
When it comes time to debut within the Octagon, he is aware of who to name to be prepared.
“I’ve undoubtedly bought to maintain working with Steamrolla on putting to get to that UFC stage,” Armello stated. “He all the time brings the ache to us.”
