Tom DeBlass fighting MMA. Photo by Dan Rod

The most important MMA organization in the USA after the UFC has signed two GMA members to fight in one of their events.

UFC veteran Tom DeBlass, leader of Ocean County BJJ, in New Jersey, will face King Mo Lawal in a light heavyweight fight at Bellator 131, next Nov. 15, in San Diego.

The fight was rescheduled after an injury sustained by DeBlass prevented it from happening in a prior date.

Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt João Paulo Faria, Professor at Gracie Humaita Del Mar, was also signed to compete in the same event.

His opponent is yet to be defined.

For more info, go to bellator.com.

Tom DeBlass in a prior MMA bout. Photo by Dan Rod

GMA member Tom DeBlass returned to MMA with a win this Friday.

The leader of Ocean County BJJ, in NJ, needed only 1:45 to connect two left hooks and send Jason Lambert to the ground.

Lambert managed to get up, but DeBlass hit him again to end the match.

This was Deblass’ second straight Bellator win.

He now has a 9-2 record in MMA.

Let us know if you think this can be implemented in your own Jiu-Jitsu game.

Tom DeBlass fighting MMA. Photo by Dan Rod

Black belt Tom Deblass took the MMA community by surprise this week when he announced his retirement as a pro fighter. On his Facebook page, DeBlass wrote that he wanted to devote more time to his family and business and that the ammount of time MMA demanded made that impossible. GRACIEMAG got in touch with the leader of Ocean County BJJ to talk about his decision. In the interview, Tom talks about the great moments of his career, considers competing in Jiu-Jitsu again and plans his future.

The decision to retire from MMA was made before the UFC Macau fight? Did the result there have any influence in it?

I actually had spoke with my fiancé and close friends about the possibility of retiring before my fight in Macau. The amount of time I was taking away from my Academy and family was taking a toll. The result really had nothing to do with it to be honest.

Which were the best and the worst moments in your MMA career and why?

The best moments in my career were always stepping in the cage after a long hard training camp. The wars inside the cage. Also making it to the UFC in just a year and a half. Also being the first UFC fight ever to take place in China. It’s history. Ironically my worst memory was taking a fight on 12 days notice knowing I was completely out of shape.

You competed in the ADCC, you are a BJJ World Champion (as a brown belt) and fought in the UFC. What are the main diferences for a fighter in those three environments of competition?

Competing in BJJ, and ADCC are both very similar. The training for those events are very much the same. The mentality as well. Competing in MMA is completely different. You must find time for multiple disciplines such as boxing, wrestling, kickboxing, cardio and strength, MMA, Jiu-Jitsu. It really is so demanding and hard on the body. You can train Jiu-Jitsu until the day you die, you certainly cannot fight MMA forever.

What aspect of a professional fighter’s daily life you think you’re going to miss the most and which aspect you will be glad every minute for not having to go through anymore?

Man, I miss it already. I miss the grind, I miss the sacrifice, I miss having to look forward to an upcoming fight! I will miss the feeling of a war inside the cage. However I will enjoy spending more time with my soon to be wife Delilah, our beautiful daughter, and my wonderful students at Ocean County Jiu-Jitsu.

What are your plans for the future?

My future plans are certainly to return to grappling competition at the highest level. I have to sharpen up my game for a few months before doing so. I also plan to keep growing Ocean County Jiu-Jitsu. You can check out www.oceancountybjj.com. Possibly open up more Academies.

Tom DeBlass retires from MMA

GMA member Tom DeBlass has decided to retire from MMA fighting.

The leader of Ocean County BJJ and a Ricardo Almeida Jiu-Jitsu black belt just released a statement via his Facebook profile announcing his decision and presenting the reasons that led him to it.

Here is what he wrote:

“After a lot of talk 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. I have had the opportunity to win the Pan American games, the No Gi World Championships, and National Championships, the Abu Dhabi trials and compete in Abu Dhabi. I have competed all over the world at 30 years old. I fought for Ring of Combat and won their titles. I made it to UFC in a year and a half. I know I am no where near my prime, however I feel my time is better spent else where. 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. Maybe I will return to Jiu-Jitsu competition. Thanks to everyone for the support. It’s been an awesome ride. God Bless” – Tom DeBlass.

Tom DeBlass, 30, has a  7-2 MMA record and his last fight was against Riki Fukuda, at UFC Macau, last November 10, when he lost via unanimous decision.

GMA member Tom DeBlass went in the octagon once again last Friday.

The leader of Ocean County BJJ, in New Jersey, didn’t need much time to score another win.

In 41 seconds, the Ricardo Almeida black belt got a submission to win his 2nd Ring of Combat belt.

DeBlass is now the light-heavyweight and the heavyweight champion.

On his Facebook account, DeBlass wrote about the accomplishment: “Thanks God, my family, my friends and supporters, and the best team in the World.”

For more info, go to oceancountybjj.com

GMA member Tom DeBlass fought three MMA fights in 2011.

The leader of Ocean County BJJ won all of them, one by submission, the other by TKO and the third by decision.

DeBlass is now 6-0 in his MMA record.

To top it off, DeBlass was elected the 3rd best light-heavyweight fighter by Bloody Elbow website.

On Facebook, Tom commented the award: ” This is certainly an honor. However, I will do my best to prove i deserve the spot they put me in, and even higher.”

Congrats to Tom!

He already has a fight scheduled.

On February 10, the Ring of Combat ligh-heavyweight champion will be facing Carlos Brooks.

For more info, go to oceancountybjj.com

Here is a highlight video of Tom:

The leader of Ocean County BJJ, a Ricardo Almeida black belt has a legion of faithful fans.

Here is a highlights video made by one of DeBlass’ students

For more info, go to oceancountybjj.com

DeBlass (center) with his team, including Ricardo Almeida (right)

GMA member Tom DeBlass came out victorious once again from an MMA bout.

The leader of Ocean County BJJ fought last Friday to defend his Ring of Combat light-heavyweight belt.

DeBlass defeated David Tkeshelashvili by unanimous decision after three rounds.

Tom thanked his friends and fans on Facebook:”Thank you to all who came out, the energy was amazing. It gets better everytime..I hope you all had a great time, means the world to me. More then you know.”

He also announced some changes for his next fight: “All I know is one thing about my next fight. We are 95% certain I will be dropping to 185lb to test the waters.”

Congrats to Tom!

For more info, go to oceancountybjj.com

GMA member Tom DeBlass has a MMA challenge tonight.

The leader of Ocean County BJJ will face Davit Tkeshelashvili in his first defense of the Ring of Combat light-heavyweight championship.

DeBlass, a Ricardo Almeida black belt, is 5-0 in MMA.

His last fight took place September 9th, when he KO’ed Mike Stewart.

On his Facebook page, Tom talked about tonight’s fight: ” My spirits are high and I’m feeling calm and ready. This is just what we do. This is what my teacher did, and my teacher’s teacher did. Generation through generation we have tested ourselves, and this is just another day. I will see everyone tonight after the fight.”

For more info, go to oceancountybjj.com

GMA member Tom DeBlass, leader of Ocean County BJJ, in New Jersey, is now a MMA belt holder.

Last September 9th, he defeated Mike Stewart by knock out at 3:07 of the first round.

With that win, DeBlass granted the Light-heavyweight Ring of Combat title.

The big win meant a lot to Tom and his fans and students, once Stewart did a lot of trash talk before the fight and Stewart’s supporters had a terrible behavior during and after the fight.

DeBlass wrote about his victory on Facebook: “Thanks God and all of you. His crowd had no respect, neither did he. OCBJJ I love you, Ricardo Almeida, Delilah, Mark Henry, Mom, Dad, Rosemary and Nesto. Everyone if I didn’t mention you thank you, it’s been a long stressful two days.”

If you have a Facebook account, watch the end of the fight here.

For more info, go to oceancountybjj.com