Ademir Barreto’s journey into Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu was an unexpected one. Like many athletes, he started with another martial art in Judo. At the age of five, he began practicing Judo and continued until around the age of 10. He took a brief break to explore other sports, but his desire to return to martial arts led him back to a gym where he believed he was signing up for Judo classes. It turned out to be Jiu-Jitsu instead. “The first class wasn’t very pleasant,” Ademir admits, but he adapted quickly, and soon Jiu-Jitsu became a central part of his life.

Ademir has always been a competitor at heart. His early experiences competing in other disciplines laid the foundation for his eventual entry into Jiu-Jitsu competitions. After only a few months of training, he decided to compete, and in his first competition, he came out victorious. “I found it immensely enjoyable, and I continue to participate in it to this day,” he says. The thrill of competing, from the preparation to the moments on the mat, continues to drive him.

When Ademir earned his black belt, he was already accustomed to competing at a high level. "Transitioning from brown to black belt didn’t surprise me," he explains. By the time he officially entered the black belt ranks, he had already faced some of the sport’s top competitors, making the adjustment smooth for him.

Being a black belt for over two years now, Ademir has learned many valuable lessons. The most important, he believes, is the psychological aspect of competition. “Black belts face greater pressure, especially at higher levels,” he reflects. For Ademir, success in Jiu-Jitsu at the black belt level requires a balance of physical training, diet, routine, and mental toughness. “In this situation, which in this case is the black belt, that’s where everything really ends and begins.”

2024 has been a breakout year for Ademir. He secured 3rd place at the European Championships and 2nd at the World Championships, both significant milestones in his competitive career. However, despite his success, Ademir remains hungry for more. “I know that I have improved by 1% compared to yesterday, but I am not satisfied with that. I am aware of my goals and what I deserve,” he says. He is grateful for the opportunities he’s been given and the people around him, but his drive to keep improving never dwindles.

When reflecting on his favorite moments from 2024, Ademir finds it hard to pick just one. He cherishes each fight, from the European Championship to the World Championship, for the lessons they brought. What stands out the most, though, are the moments that happened behind the scenes. “Those were the moments that had the most impact on me, whether they were good or bad,” he says, appreciating every experience.

Ademir’s competitive style is a reflection of his mindset, aggressive and adaptable. Whether standing or on the ground, he doesn’t stick to a rigid game plan but instead prepares for anything. “Don’t expect anything less than the best,” he promises. For The Crown, Ademir is ready to show his aggressive and unpredictable game to the world, staying true to his belief that anything can happen.

The Crown is set to be one of Ademir’s toughest challenges yet. The featherweight division is stacked with both established World Champion black belts and high-level competitors, but Ademir feels confident. “I believe my game is quite unpredictable, allowing me to adapt to any situation,” he says, noting that his focus is on improving every aspect of his game in preparation for the event.

While Ademir doesn’t usually focus on specific opponents, he does have two athletes in mind who he’s looking forward to facing in Diego “Pato” Oliveira and Kennedy Maciel. “I think we’ll have a good war,” he says, expressing excitement for the challenges they’ll bring.

As Ademir looks ahead to The Crown, his gratitude is clear. He’s thankful for the opportunity to showcase his Jiu-Jitsu at such a prestigious event and is eager for the battles that lie ahead. “I am thrilled to showcase my Jiu-Jitsu once again and can’t wait for another battle there!”

Tickets for The Crown can be purchased here. If you can't make it to the event live, be sure to watch it live on FloGrappling. The Crown is sponsored by Kingz Kimonos.