Photo: Garden State Photography- Mark Ward
Tom DeBlass is a former Bellator and UFC fighter with a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jisu under Ricardo Almeida.
Tom was a County Champion Long Jumper in High School graduating from Central Regional High School in 2000. He went on to Graduate Monmouth University in 2004 with a degree in Special Education and Elementary Education. Tom DeBlass was known primarily as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitor winning such titles as Pan American and World Championships. He then fought Professionally in Ring Of Combat. In only a year and a half DeBlass captured two titles and got called up to fight in the UFC. DeBlass opened his own Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy, in 2006, Ocean County Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. His Academy host’s 300 students. He has produced his own World Champion students, such as Garry Tonon, Tom’s first student to compete in ADCC, October 20, taking place in China.
DeBlass is the 2015 No Gi Open Weight World champion at Master 1 black belt.
DeBlass recently wrote an inspiring essay on his Facebook profile talking about the highs and lows of being a BJJ instructor, but also believing that by doing good and being a good example to students, things would always work out:
I have always dreamed of this. Visions of an Academy filled with individuals from all walks of life. I envisioned a place that instilled a sense of happiness and confidence in everyone that walked through the door.
I have had countless sleepless nights and my bank account has been in the negative more times then I can remember. However, I always figured if I do right by people everything will work out. As long as my intentions are pure people who need Jiu-Jitsu will find comfort in the vision created. Everything will be ok, always.
I have fought tough fights, grappled marathon grappling matches, and I’m reminded of that every morning I step out of bed. However, I felt it was essential my students knew that win, lose, or draw, I always tried. I never hid behind fear in any aspect of my life.
Things have worked itself out thus far, and I can say with 100% honesty that everything done up until this point is a very small portion of a much bigger dream I have. #faith #jiujitsu #inGoditrust
