Tom DeBlass is one of the most well loved figures in Jiu-Jitsu 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 announced his retirement from MMA after the UFC bout with Fukuda stating “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”, 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.”
DeBlass returned from his short-lived retirement and made his Bellator debut against Carlos Brooks at Bellator 95 and won by TKO at the end of the second round after the doctor decided that Brooks could not continue.

DeBlass then fought fellow UFC veteran Jason Lambert at the event. He won the fight via knockout in the first round. This would be his last MMA fight.

He talked about his reasons for retiring from MMA and focusing instead 100% on Jiu-Jitsu:

This was my last MMA fight and the moment I knew I didn’t want to fight anymore. The moment I knocked him out I felt bad. Jason also had a daughter like myself and I immediately thought of her the moment he hit the canvas floor. I knew I wanted to dedicate myself fully back to Jiu-Jitsu this very moment.

//www.bjjee.com/articles/top-10-most-loved-people-in-brazilian-jiu-jitsu/