Bio
Ocean County Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Owner & Head Professor
Tom DeBlass is a proud 2nd Degree Black Belt student of Ricardo Almeida, a 4th Degree Black Belt under Renzo Gracie. Tom began his martial arts career studying Tae-Kwon-Do at the young age of 6. In high school, his love of sports drew him to the track and field team, where he excelled as a county and state sectional long-jump champion. While attending Monmouth University, where he would eventually earn a dual degree in Elementary Education and Special Education, he decided to focus his attention on training in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, the world’s most effective martial art. The following year proved to be a major turning point for Tom when he met Bill Scott. Bill was studying under world renowned BJJ instructor, Ricardo Almeida, and brought Tom to the Ricardo Almedia Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy. Since then Tom has been a loyal and devoted student to Ricardo Almeida and the rest of Team Renzo Gracie. In 2006, Tom was honored with the role of co-captain of the Ricardo Almeida Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competition team.
Professor Tom DeBlass has established himself as one of the best adult American Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitors. He is the ONLY person in NJ to win an adult Black Belt Pan American Title and the ONLY person in NJ history to win the North American ADCC trials two times. Success through dedication. His competition record includes medals and championships in some of the world’s most prestigious Jiu-Jitsu competitions such as the Worlds, Nationals, and Pan American Jiu-Jitsu tournaments. Professor is also an Ultimate Fighting Championship and Bellator Fighting Championship Veteran. Professor Tom and his staff have also managed to build one of the largest Jiu-Jitsu academies in New Jersey in both facility size (over 6,000 sq. feet) and student count (close to 300 students from all different walks of life). As an instructor, Professor Tom helps all individuals reach their goals and keeps classes non-competitive by offering separate classes for those looking to compete and those who do not. The academy’s environment is family-oriented and stress-free. The top priority of each instructor at Ocean County Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu is to make sure each student gets the individual attention they need in order to accomplish their goals while acquiring the knowledge of a sport that has changed the lives of so many.
In 2014 Professor Tom decided to focus once again 100% on Jiu-Jitsu competition and teaching after winning his last two MMA fights by TKO, and knockout. Since then he has proved himself to still be one of the best competitor’s in the world without the Gi, winning the North American Trials for the second time and having a draw against the current number 1 No Gi fighter in the World, Joao Assis.
In November 2017, Tom was elected as a Lacey Township board of education member.
Tom DeBlass’ Competition Record
- 2003 NAGA NAGC Novice Heavy Champion
- 2003 NAGA Battle of the Beach White Belt Heavy Champion
- 2003 NAGA Worlds White Belt Heavy Champion
- 2004 Grapplers Quest U.S. Nationals Light Heavy Silver
- 2004 Grapplers Quest Beast of the East Champion
- 2005 Grapplers Quest Beast of the East Heavy Champion
- 2006 NAGA World Championships Black Belt Division Silver Medal
- 2006 NAGA World Championships Advanced Division Silver Medal
- 2006 Battle of the Boardwalk Advanced Division Champion
- 2006 Iron Man Superfight Champion
- 2006 Grapplers Quest National Champion
- 2006 Abu Dhabi Trial Renzo Gracie Representative
- 2007 Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championship Bronze Medal (Brown Belt)
- 2007 American National Jiu-Jitsu Champion
- 2007 No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Brown Belt World Champion
- 2008 Pan American Brown Belt Champion (Super-Heavy)
- 2009 West Coast Abu Dhabi ADCC North American Trials – 3rd Place
- 2009 East Coast Abu Dhabi ADCC North American Trials Champion (second person in the history of NJ)
- 2009 Abu Dhabi Combat Championships Competitor
- 2009 No-Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu World Championships Bronze Medal Black Belt Division
- 2011 Ring of Combat Light Heavyweight Champion
- 2012 Ring of Combat Heavyweight Champion
- 2012 World MMA Light Heavyweight – #3 Ranked Prospect
- UFC (Ultimate Fighting Championship Veteran) -Professor Tom made it to the UFC while fighting Professionally just a year and a half.
- 2013 Grapplers Quest National Champion, Super Heavyweight Expert Division
- 2013 Black Belt Adult Pan American Ultra Heavy Champion
- 2013 Black Belt Adult World Championship No-Gi Bronze Medal
- 2013 Grapplers Quest Worlds Expert Ultra Heavyweight Champion
- PGL (Professional Grappling League) Superfight Champion against 375 lb Mark Tarman
- 2014 ADCC NY superfight Champion (Defeated Legend Renato “Babalu” Sobral)
- 2014 No Time Limit Submission Only Superfight Winner Against Nelson Puentes
- PGL (Professional Grappling League Champion) Superfight Champion
- 2014 ADCC North American Trial Champion
- Goodfight Superfight Heavyweight Champion (Submission victory over Rodrigo Correira- 64 minute match)
- Main Event in Submission Series Pro against #1 in the world No Gi competitor 2012-2015 Joao Assis. Result-Draw
- Bellator and UFC Veteran
- Professional Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) Record 9-2-0 (Win-Loss-Draw)
- 2015 Inducted into the NJ Martial Arts Hall of Fame
- 2015 Black Belt Masters 1 No Gi World Championships Ultra Heavyweight Bronze
- 2015 Black Belt Masters 1 No Gi World Championships Absolute Division Champion Gold medalist
- 2016 ADCC Nationals Absolute Division Pro Champion
- 2016 ADCC North American Trials Champion
- 2017 Fight to Win 30 Main Event Winner over Ricco Rodriguez
- 2018 Fight to Win Pro 27 Main Event Winner over Lou Armezzani
- 2019 KASAI PRO Superfight Winner
