Garry Tonon: The Power of Loyalty in the Gripping World of BJJ
When you talk about one of the most dynamic grapplers in the world, you can’t help but listen to the guy who’s obsessed with loyalty. That’s exactly how the 26‑year‑old from Queens, New York sees his journey in Brazilian jiu‑jitsu and beyond.
From The First Roll to The Elite Stage
Tonon first met his coach, Tom DeBlass, while still a green‑belt kid. Since then, the pair have stuck together like peanut butter and jelly – or better yet, like a clean roll and a slick guard. “I grew up around people who made it easy to stay loyal,” the New Yorker says. “They didn’t do it for the money. They did it because they were ready to give a piece of themselves to help me.”
He explains that loyalty goes both ways. “If you expect someone to be loyal, you’ve got to earn it. You’re not just waiting for them to jump into your corner; you’re actively showing them you’re willing to sacrifice a bit of your own time and energy for them.”
A Gripping Lineage: The Norml Family Tree
Tonon’s own grappling lineage pulls straight from one of jiu‑jitsu’s greats. Renzo Gracie sent a black belt to Ricardo Almeida, who then handed the same honor to Tom DeBlass. That means Tonon’s fingerprints are already on the famed legacy of the Bec‑lead family.
And now, with the Danaher Death Squad, Tonon has the ground game of a world‑class athlete. “John Danaher built this team of the best grapplers on the planet,” he says. “It wasn’t just about having talented people; it was about raw teamwork and loyalty.”
From Grabs to the Cage
After years of sweating it out at the Renzo Gracie Academy in Manhattan, Tonon took his skills into the mixed‑martial‑arts arena with ONE Championship. His debut was nothing short of spectacular – a TKO over Richard Corminal that left the crowd roaring.
Next up, he’s lined to face Rahul Raju on July 27. But the night has even more curtain‑calls: Renzo Gracie will knock it out against Yuki Kondo in a legendary battle-on‑the‑same‑night lineup. Tonon’s feeling like a proud nephew watching his master, and he’s already dreaming about building something big in MMA.
Building the Next Death Squad
“I want to go beyond just my own wins,” says Tonon. “I want to bring people together and give them the chance to shine in MMA, just like Danaher did with jiu‑jitsu.” He even hopes the coach might see this project as an opportunity to grow the art in a new arena.
In short, if you ever feel like you’re stuck in a lone‑wolf mode in a sport that thrives on connection, just look at Garry Tonon. Loyalty ain’t just a word; it’s the secret sauce that turns a good grappler into a great one.
