DeBlass was a county champion long jumper at Central Regional High School, from which he graduated in 2000. He went on to graduate Monmouth University in 2004 with a degree in Special Education and Elementary Education. 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. In 2006 DeBlass opened his own Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Academy "Ocean County Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu". He has been an instructor to notable BJJ practitioners such as Garry Tonon. He is one of the only person in history to win the North American trials 3 times. In November 2017, Tom was elected as a Lacey Township board of education member.
After winning seven straight fights DeBlass was signed by the UFC and made his debut against Cyrille Diabate on one week's notice at and lost by Majority Decision. In his second UFC fight DeBlass dropped down to the Middleweight division to fight against Riki Fukuda at He lost by Unanimous Decision. DeBlass announced his retirement from MMA after the 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.”
Bellator MMA
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 was scheduled to face former IFLLight Heavyweight ChampionVladimir Matyushenko at Bellator 108 on November 15, 2013. However Matyushenko was forced out of the bout due to a broken hand. DeBlass instead fought fellow UFC veteran Jason Lambert at the event. He won the fight via knockout in the first round. Tom DeBlass was scheduled to fight Muhammed Lawal on September 5, 2014, at Bellator 123; however, Tom DeBlass suffered a knee injury and was forced off the card. The bout with Lawal was rescheduled for Bellator 131 on November 15, 2014. However, on November 1, it was announced that DeBlass had suffered a cut during training and had to withdraw from the bout.
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts
Ring of Combat
*ROC Heavyweight Championship
*ROC Light Heavyweight Championship
Jiu Jitsu
First person in NJ to win an Adult Black Belt Pan American title
Second person in NJ history to win ADCC North American Trials
