Tom DeBlass is excited for his first fight at 185 pounds.
The former light heavyweight, who is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt under the acclaimed Ricardo Almeida, is making his UFC middleweight debut against Riki Fikuda this Saturday at UFC on FUEL TV 6, which takes place at CotaiArena in Macau, China
According to DeBlass, the cut has gone great.
“Weight cut is perfect. Used George Lockhart and I have never
been more prepared for a fight. Full camp and I’m 100%,” wrote DeBlass—who is
without a cell phone in China—in an email.
been more prepared for a fight. Full camp and I’m 100%,” wrote DeBlass—who is
without a cell phone in China—in an email.
DeBlass made his UFC debut against Cyrille Diabate at UFC on FUEL TV 2 and ended up losing a majority decision after fading as the fight
went on. But he gassed because the took the fight on only two weeks’ notice,
and appeared out of shape because he was injured and had just pulled out of a
Ring of Combat title fight. But for the opportunity in the UFC, DeBlass had to
say yes when Joe Silva called.
went on. But he gassed because the took the fight on only two weeks’ notice,
and appeared out of shape because he was injured and had just pulled out of a
Ring of Combat title fight. But for the opportunity in the UFC, DeBlass had to
say yes when Joe Silva called.
And when Silva called and offered up Fukuda, DeBlass said yes
again.
again.
“I think I match up well and I plan on using everything,”
DeBlass wrote. “He’s a tough guy so you have to be ready everywhere.”
DeBlass wrote. “He’s a tough guy so you have to be ready everywhere.”
DeBlass, in updates on his Facebook page, has said he’s had a
terrific camp, and he’s been working with fellow UFC middleweights and New
York/New Jersey natives Chris Weidman and Costa Philippou to help him prepare
for this 185-pound debut against Fukuda.
terrific camp, and he’s been working with fellow UFC middleweights and New
York/New Jersey natives Chris Weidman and Costa Philippou to help him prepare
for this 185-pound debut against Fukuda.
But, as we all know, the east coast was recently savaged by
Hurricane Sandy (as exhibited in Ariel Helewani’s visit to Weidman’s
neighborhood in their interview). Because of the hurricane and the damage it
left in its wake, DeBlass’ boxing coach’s flight to China was delayed by a day,
and DeBlass may be left without his fight shorts and therefore his sponsorship
money.
Hurricane Sandy (as exhibited in Ariel Helewani’s visit to Weidman’s
neighborhood in their interview). Because of the hurricane and the damage it
left in its wake, DeBlass’ boxing coach’s flight to China was delayed by a day,
and DeBlass may be left without his fight shorts and therefore his sponsorship
money.
“The hurricane broke my heart,” DeBlass wrote. “So many people
close to me lost everything. However I know they want me here and that’s what I
gotta do. Now we have a nor’easter and my boxing coaches’ [sic] flight got
delayed by a day. He might not make it.”
close to me lost everything. However I know they want me here and that’s what I
gotta do. Now we have a nor’easter and my boxing coaches’ [sic] flight got
delayed by a day. He might not make it.”
But even with all the problems lingering around him, DeBlass
knows he has to keep the focus on the task at hand, and that’s in beating
Fukuda this Saturday in China.
knows he has to keep the focus on the task at hand, and that’s in beating
Fukuda this Saturday in China.
“I have no problem keeping my focus on Riki,” he wrote. “I
trained perfect for this fight and nothing will keep me from doing what I plan
on doing now. I’m used to obstacles and everyone has them. No problem.”
trained perfect for this fight and nothing will keep me from doing what I plan
on doing now. I’m used to obstacles and everyone has them. No problem.”
