Tom DeBlass - 4th-Degree Black Belt

1. Tom DeBlass’s Details

2. Tom DeBlass’s Biography

Tom DeBlass was born in New Brunswick, New Jersey on May 14, 1982. He is one of the most searched grapplers and instructors on the Internet. DeBlass also has many followers on social media due to his humorous yet helpful teaching videos.

2.1. Started MMA Career During Childhood

DeBlass was a sports kid during his early childhood. He joined MMA and started Taekwondo at the age of five. He trained in Taekwondo for 13 years, becoming a red belt.

2.2. Difficulties During Childhood

In an interview, DeBlass explained that he was raised by a father who struggled with substance abuse. To avoid following the same path as his father, DeBlass strove to become a positive influence.

2.3. Time in Track and Field

DeBlass had an interest in athletics ever since he was a teenager. He participated in track and field, including throwing, jumping, and running. DeBlass was especially good at long jumping. He was the best jumper in New Jersey when he was in high school. When DeBlass was 18 years old, he had to stop track and field sports due to an injury. This injury resulted in him leaving jumping at the age of 19.

2.4. Joined Jiu-Jitsu

In his high school period, Tom DeBlass was the best jumper in all of his state. But an injury became a hurdle in his jumping career at the age of eighteen. That injury became the reason for Tom to leave jumping and come towards BJJ at the age of 19.DeBlass first started learning BJJ under Eric Colon. But he eventually left as a white belt and joined Ricardo Almeida’s Jiu-Jitsu academy. Later, DeBlass continued his BJJ training under Ricardo Almeida until he became a black belt.

2.5. Coaching Career

DeBlass started his coaching career at the age of 24. He opened his own academy, Ocean County Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. DeBlass had previously worked as a special education teacher, an experience that helped him convey instructions to his students.

DeBlass promoted almost 30 black belts of his 400 students. Over the past five years, his academy has spread to various countries, including the U.S., Costa Rica, Argentina, and Canada. He also shares his knowledge with fans through seminars and video lectures.

2.6. MMA Career

DeBlass made his MMA debut on June 11, 2010, against J.A. Dudley. He won his first MMA fight by unanimous decision. His first seven fights took place at Ring of Combat, each of which he won. DeBlass made his UFC debut on April 14, 2012. He lost his first UFC fight by unanimous decisions.

After his second UFC fight in November 2012, DeBlass announced his retirement from MMA in favor of spending his time with family and students. His statement when announcing his retirement was read as such:

"After a lot of talks with my family and coaches, I have decided to retire from fighting and focus on my family, my academy, and helping my students to achieve their goals. At this time, I feel it's best for me to give my time to others and spend more time with my family. The drive to keep fighting is not there any longer. I have an amazing academy and feel my students need my full attention."

But this retirement ended up being temporary as DeBlass took part in Bellator 95 on April 4, 2013. His supposed last MMA fight was at Bellator 108, winning by knockout in the first round. But in 2020, DeBlass again signed up with One Fighting Championship.

DeBlass’s current MMA Record is listed below:

11 matches	9 wins	2 losses
By knockout	4	0
By submission	2	0
By decision	3	2

2.7. Tom DeBlass’s Family

Tom DeBlass is married to Delilah DeBlass with two children, a 10-year-old daughter and a six-year-old son.

2.8. Tom DeBlass’s Education

DeBlass graduated from Central Regional High School in 2000, then earned his degree in Special Education and Elementary Education after graduating from Monmouth University in 2004.

2.9. Tom DeBlass BJJ Pro Combats

Tom DeBlass’s Black Belt Promotion

DeBlass was promoted to black belt by his coach, Ricardo Almeida, a former student of Renzo Gracie. DeBlass trained under Almeida since he was a white belt and reached the rank of black belt after six and a half years. He recently received his 4th-degree black belt from Almeida.

Trained BJJ Legends

DeBlass promoted nearly 30 BJJ students to the rank of black belt. Of all those students, Garry Tonon is DeBlass’s first and most successful student. Tonon is the coach of Gordon Ryan and won five Eddie Bravo Invitationals.

Four-Time ADCC Champion

DeBlass is a three-time (2009, 2014, 2016) ADCC North American Trials Champion and one-time ADCC American National Absolute Champion (2016). In 2014, he won the ADCC New York Super Fight and immortalized his name as an ADCC Super Fight champion.

Instructional Videos for BJJ Fanatics

DeBlass teaches to a wider audience by posting instruction videos. His instruction video series can be found on BJJ fanatics.

Examples of instructional videos include:

• Half Domination
• Ripped in 12 Weeks
• Submission Escapes
• Leg Attack Domination
• Butterfly Half Guard
• Kimura Domination
• Solo and Partner Drills for Rapid Improvements
• High-Tech BJJ in the Gi
• Closed Guard Domination
• Deep Half Guard Domination
• The Road to Black Belt

3. Tom DeBlass’s Historic Fights

3.1. Tom DeBlass Vs. Renato "Babalu" Sobral

DeBlass faced Renato “Babalu” Sobral in the ADCC New York Super Fight 2014. Both fighters were highly energetic at the start of the match and showcased their extraordinary skills throughout.

At the start of the match, both fighters were in standing positions while trying to take each other down. After a few minutes, Sobral succeeded in getting DeBlass on the ground and tried to control him from the back. DeBlass tried to counter by grabbing on and trying to put Sobral in a stranglehold. However, Sobral broke free and quickly took the top position. He tried to mount DeBlass but failed. DeBlass went for a toehold, but Sobral countered by strangling his opponent’s foot. DeBlass could not maintain his position and Sobral again tried to mount him. After a lot of back and forth, DeBlass defeated Sobral with a score of 4-0 points.

Year	Event	Opponent	W/L/D	Method	Stage	Weight Class
2014	ADCC New York Super Fight	Renato "Babalu" Sobral	W	4-0 Points	N/A	N/A

3.2. Tom Deblass Vs. James Friedrich

DeBlass faced James Friedrich in the finals of the ADCC North American Trials. Friedrich started the match in a sitting position. DeBlass took advantage of this to try and take Friedrich down. DeBlass took the top and dominant position and tried to maintain control, but Friedrich encountered and applied a foot lock. DeBlass kept his foot from getting caught in Friedrich‘s grip and escaped. But Friedrich was now on top, while DeBlass was on the ground.

However, DeBlass kept struggling to keep Friedrich from dominating him. DeBlass soon got back on top and strangled Friedrich’s arm with his legs. Friedrich tried to apply a foot lock but DeBlass actively kept his foot at bay. Friedrich then tried to apply a full guard, but DeBlass mounted him and escaped the full guard. Eventually, time ran out and DeBlass won the match via referee decision.

Year	Event	Opponent	W/L/D	Method	Stage	Weight Class
2014	ADCC North American Trials	James Friedrich	W	Referee Decision	FinalC	-99kg

4. Tom DeBlass’s Main Achievements

4.1. Tom DeBlass’s Main Achievements in International Tournaments

Year	Event	Belt	Weight Division
2007	IBJJF World No-Gi Championship	Brown Belt	-97.5 kg
2008	IBJJF Pan American Championship	Brown Belt	-100 kg
2009	ADCC American Trials	Black Belt	N/A
2013	IBJJF Pan No-Gi Championship	Black Belt	-97.5 kg
2013	Grappler Quest National Championship	Black Belt	N/A
2013	Grapplers Quest Worlds Expert Division Championship	Black Belt	Ultra-Heavyweight
2014	Professional Grappling League Super-Fight	Black Belt	N/A
2014	ADCC NY super fight Champion	Black Belt	99 kg
2015	IBJJF World No-Gi Championship	Black Belt	99 kg
2016	ADCC American National	Black Belt	Absolute
2016	ADCC American Trials	Black Belt	+99 kg

4.2. Tom DeBlass’s Achievements as a Black Belt

Year	Event	Belt	Position
2009	ADCC American Trials	Black Belt	1st
2009	IBJJF World No-Gi Championship	Black Belt	3rd
2013	IBJJF Pan No-GiChampionship	Black Belt	1st
2013	Grappler Quest National Championship	Black Belt	1st
2013	Grappler Quest (World Expert Division)	Black Belt	1st
2013	IBJJF World No-Gi Championship	Black Belt	3rd
2014	Professional Grappling League Super-Fight	Black Belt	1st
2014	ADCC NY super fight	Black Belt	1st
2015	IBJJF World No-Gi Championship	Black Belt	1st
2015	IBJJF World No-Gi Championship (Master 1)	Black Belt	3rd
2016	ADCC American National	Black Belt	1st
2016	ADCC American Trials	Black Belt	1st

4.3. Tom DeBlass’s Achievements as Other Color Belts

Year	Event	Belt	Position
2007	IBJJF World No-Gi Championship	Black Belt	1st
2007	IBJJF World Championship	Black Belt	3rd
2008	IBJJF Pan Championship	Black Belt	1st

5. Tom DeBlass’s Professional Record Breakdown

5.1. Tom DeBlass’s Win-Loss Record

44 Matches	28 Wins	16 Losses
Points	18	6
Submission	6	2
Decision	4	7
Split Decision	0	1

5.2. Method of Submission

Method	Wins	Losses
Toehold	4	0
Knee Bar	1	1
Heel Hook	1	0
Triangle	0	1

6. Tom DeBlass’s Fight History

Year	Event	Opponent	W/L/D	Method	Weight Division
2007	World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi IBJJF Championships	J. Malone	W	Toehold	N/A
2007	World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi IBJJF Championships	M. Braga	W	Points	N/A
2007	IBJJF American National Jiu-Jitsu Championship	T. Bosard	W	Points	N/A
2008	Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship	V. Morias	W	Toehold	Super Heavyweight
2008	Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship	F. Viana	W	Toehold	Super Heavyweight
2008	Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship	C. Mello	W	Points	Super Heavyweight
2008	Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship	K. Gracie	L	Triangle	Absolute Division
2008	Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship	C. Mello	W	Points	Absolute Division
2009	World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi IBJJF Championships	M. Villela	W	Points	N/A
2009	ADCC World Championships	R. Abreu	L	Points	N/A
2009	ADCC World Championships	A. Galvao	L	Points	Absolute Division
2009	ADCC USA Trials	R. Abreu	L	Decision	N/A
2009	ADCC USA Trials	A. Houbon	W	Other	N/A
2009	ADCC USA Trials	A. Alexoskov	W	Points	N/A
2009	ADCC USA Trials	Z. Anyanwu	W	Points	N/A
2009	ADCC USA Trials	A. Galvao	L	Points	N/A
2009	ADCC USA Trials	P. Kerantzas	W	Points	N/A
2013	World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi IBJJF Championships	K. Khalifa	W	Points	Super Heavyweight
2013	World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi IBJJF Championships	J. Puopolo	L	Knee Bar	Super Heavyweight
2013	World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi IBJJF Championships	R. Vital	W	Points	Super Heavyweight
2014	ADCC East Coast Trials	N. Liaskos	W	Points	N/A
2014	ADCC East Coast Trials	J. Friedman	W	Decision	N/A
2014	ADCC East Coast Trials	S. Ace	W	Points	N/A
2014	Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship	K. Uminski	L	Points	-99kgs
2014	Pan Jiu-Jitsu IBJJF Championship	R. Mendes	L	Points	Ultra Heavyweight
2015	World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi IBJJF Championships	C. Soto	W	Points	N/A
2015	World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi IBJJF Championships	W. Brooks	W	Points	N/A
2015	World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi IBJJF Championships	F. Foldione	W	Points	N/A
2015	World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi IBJJF Championships	E. Carvalho	W	Points	N/A
2015	World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi IBJJF Championships	M. Uhlinger	W	Toehold	N/A
2015	World Jiu-Jitsu No-Gi IBJJF Championships	B. Bastos	L	Decision	N/A
2016	ADCC East Coast Trials	J. Owen	W	Points	N/A
2016	ADCC East Coast Trials	S. Durfee	W	Points	N/A
2016	ADCC East Coast Trials	J. Friedrich	W	Decision	N/A
2017	ADCC World Championships	C. Hellenberg	W	Decision	N/A
2017	ADCC World Championships	O. Sanchez	L	Decision	N/A
2017	Fight 2 Win Pro 43	J. Assis	L	Split Decision	Heavyweight
2017	Fight 2 Win Pro 30	R. Rodriguez	W	Decision	Heavyweight
2018	Fight 2 Win Pro 91	A. Johnson	L	Decision	Heavyweight
2018	Fight 2 Win Pro 72	L. Armezzani	W	Heel Hook	220lbs
2019	2019 KASAI Pro 6	N. Caggia	W	Knee Bar	Heavyweight
2019	Kasai Super Series 1	B. Bastos	L	Points	220lbs
2020	Fight to Win 157	C. Fields	L	Decision	Super Heavyweight

7. Tom DeBlass’s Top Fights Links

Photo Credit: @tomdeblass