After seven years in retirement, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu wizard Tom DeBlass just announced his comeback to mixed martial arts – and it only took one event from ONE Championship to lure him back.
Cornering Garry “The Lion Killer” Tonon in a ONE event, DeBlass shared on his Facebook page how it made him “love MMA again.”
“I remember the first time I went to corner Garry Lee Tonon. The owner of ONE, Chatri Sityodtong, approached me like he knew me for years. I was so impressed with him, his staff, and the fans. I watched the event, the fighters, the respect, and I immediately loved MMA again. I loved the code of the Samurai, and no organization emulates this code like ONE,” DeBlass wrote.
“I’m not claiming to come back and knock anyone out, or even win. I simply want to inspire everyone and remind everyone that this life is a fight. Every day we must fight for what we want, and it’s never easy.”
His successful run in BJJ translated well into mixed martial arts. He owns a 9-2 record and has won the Ring Of Combat Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight belts.
ONE Chairman and CEO Chatri Sityodtong is elated with the signing as it added a new player to the heavier divisions of the promotion.
“With his athleticism and finishing abilities, Tom has the potential to take both divisions by storm, and make a World Title run,” Sityodtong said.
“Of course, he will have to conquer some monumental challenges in order to do so. He has told me that the world will see the very best version of Tom DeBlass in history.”
But more so than his accolades, it was DeBlass’ personality that won over the ONE Chairman and CEO.
“Not only is Tom a World Champion grappler and a ferocious competitor, but he is also a role model with a heart of gold,” Sityodtong continued.
“I am not sure how it happened, but Tom and I somehow developed a friendship over time through Facebook. We share many of the same life philosophies, and we developed a mutual respect and admiration for each other.”
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