Tom DeBlass is an accomplished and well respected American BJJ practitioner. Competing in the light heavyweight division, DeBlass enters the sport with a strong grappling pedigree training under Renzo Gracie and Ricardo Almeida (the latter of which he earned his black belt from). Among his credentials, DeBlass is a former No-GI BJJ World Champion, Pan Am Games Champion, and American National Jiu Jitsu Champion – all in the brown belt divisions. He also participated in the finals of the 2009 ADCC Submission Wrestling World Championships, qualifying after he captured the North American East Coast Trials. DeBlass continues training alongside Almeida and Gracie, and also runs his own school Ocean County Jiu Jitsu out of South New Jersey, USA.

Entering the sport with a strong jiu jitsu base it’s not surprising that DeBlass is armed with a technically proficient ground game. DeBlass utilizes a good single leg takedown from in close and does a good job of setting up his takedowns and not rushing his attempts. Although DeBlass can be taken down himself, he’s extremely comfortable off his back and very poised overall from anywhere on the mat. DeBlass is a patient guard player who doesn’t expend any unnecessary energy, showing beautiful sweeps and a very composed guard game. He possesses a strong positional ground game, demonstrating good control as well as patient guard passing and top skills. DeBlass makes good use of his ground and pound, demonstrating good punches and knees from side mount, as well as nice straight punches from inside his opponents guard. An intelligent grappler all-around, DeBlass uses his striking to create grappling opportunities and pass his opponents’ guard.

DeBlass is relaxed and composed on his feet where he’s still developing as a striker. He’s good at gauging distance and staying out of opponents reach, and intelligently looks to establish his range and jab. DeBlass will work his jab-cross combination and is comfortable keeping the fight standing when he needs to. He doesn’t get wild or over-aggressive, although DeBlass is capable of letting his hands go when the appropriate situation presents itself. DeBlass has shown good power in his punching, having hurt and finished opponents with striking early in his fighting career. From in close DeBlass utilizes knees in targeting the head and body of opponents.