Tom DeBlass announces retirement from MMA
Tom DeBlass (9-2) and 32 years of age, just announced his retirement from mixed martial arts and he did it using Facebook.
“Last two weeks I can’t tell you how many people messaged and asked me some of these questions. I thought I made it clear but I definitely didn’t. So here. 1. Am I really done with MMA? 2. When I tell them the answer they don’t understand why I would be now? 3. Will I miss it? So here we go I will answer all three.
1. As of right now I am totally done. If I change my mind I’ll come back.
3. Why now? I’m feeling better then ever and was so close to a title shot. Answer is simple. I just don’t feel like doing it. I run a very successful Jiu-Jitsu Academy, I LOVE Jiu- Jitsu, and I have my family. Balancing these things along with fight camp is tiresome. I’ve dedicated the last 4 and a half years to MMA, I’m over it at this point.
3. Will I miss it? NO. Absolutely not. I love MMA and at this moment I’ll be perfectly content cheering on my teammates and maybe even judge a few fights. You have to understand, I am not done competing. I can compete at the highest level in Jiu-Jitsu for many years to come and will continue to do it damn well, and it fits my lifestyle just perfectly. I will compete most likely forever.
God has blessed me in more ways then I can count. I’m very very thankful. I couldn’t have asked for a better last fight when I knocked out Lambert. I do what I love and what I want to do. Therefore once I make a decision it’s very easy for me to live with it. Again, if I change my mind I’ll be back. But for now, I’m done competing in MMA and will focus entirely on Jiu-Jitsu.
All love!!!!”
DeBlass was scheduled to compete against King Mo, Muhammed Lawal at Bellator 131 but was forced to pull from the card after he sustained a cut over his eye in training. It was the second cancellation of the fight this year.
The New Jersey native, DeBlass 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. He 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.
Today DeBlass told MyMMANews.com that MMA was taking up too much of his time which forced him to neglect too many other things. He told us he will focus solely on his school and competing in BJJ competitions.
“I can compete at the highest level of Jits forever,” DeBlass said.
Best of luck Tom.
