Tom DeBlass - 4th-Degree Black Belt

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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:

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

Tom DeBlass Jiu Jitsu & Grappling Highlight Reel

Tom Deblass vs Andrew Tevay UGA Fall 2017 Heavyweight Finals!!!

Renato "Babalu" Sobral vs Tom DeBlass • ADCC NY Super Fight • Nogi Bear

Tom DeBlass vs Nelson Puentes • The Good Fight: All-Star Invitational 12.06.14 • Nogi Bear®

Photo Credit: @tomdeblass