Following his lost at UFC on FUEL TV 6, middleweight Tom DeBlass has announced his retirement on Wednesday.
He announced his retirement on Twitter on Wednesday night and he plans to focus on his family and his academy.
“After a lot of talk with my family and Coaches,” DeBlass wrote on Twitter. “I have decided to retire from fighting and focus on my family, my Academy, and helping my students to achieve their goals. I have had the opportunity to win the Pan American games, the No Gi World Championships, and National Championships, the Abu Dhabi trials and compete in Abu Dhabi. I have competed all over the world at 30 years old. I fought for Ring of Combat and won their titles.
I made it to UFC in a year and a half. I know I am no where near my prime, however I feel my time is better spent else where. I want more then one Academy. 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. Maybe I will return to Jiu-Jitsu competition. Thanks to everyone for the support. It’s been an awesome ride. God Bless.”
DeBlass (7-2) entered the UFC earlier this year after starting his career with seven straight victories. His first fight in the UFC came at UFC on FUEL TV 2 and took on Cyrille Diabate in a light heavyweight bout. He was defeated by majority decision against Diabate and returned last weekend at UFC on FUEL TV 6 in China and was defeated by Riki Fukuda.