2-time EBI Champion Garry Tonon announced on his Facebook page that he will be making his MMA debut in the 145 lbs featherweight division within a year. Tonon has in trained in BJJ with many high level MMA fighters including current UFC Middleweight Champion Chris Weidman, former UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre, and former UFC Lightweight Champion Frankie Edgar. Tonon’s team of mentors and coaches include former UFC and Bellator fighter Tom DeBlass, former King of Pancrease Champion and MMA coach Ricardo Almeida, John Danaher who has coached 4 UFC Champions, and MMA legend and pioneer Renzo Gracie.
While Tonon was studying at Rutgers University, he would routinely train with Ricardo Almeida, Tom DeBlass and Frankie Edgar at the Ricardo Almeida Academy and Ocean Country BJJ. When Georges St. Pierre needed a sparring partner to emulate Nick Diaz, Tonon made a trip to the famed Tristar gym to emulate Diaz for GSP. He will have no shortage of coaches and training partners to help prepare for his debut.
In addition to announcing his upcoming MMA debut, Tonon also announced that he will be dropping down to the featherweight division for the IBJJF NoGi Pans in New York City on Saturday, October 3rd. Unlike Polaris, where he the weigh-ins were held the day before, Tonon will be required to make the 149 lbs cutoff while wearing his rashguard and shorts 10 to 20 minutes prior to his first match at NoGi Pans. Tonon has previously competed in the lightweight (162.5 lbs) division at IBJJF NoGi events and has won numerous titles at both the lightweight and open weight divisions. His past major IBJJF accomplishments have included
2011 and 2012 NoGi World Championships at Brown Belt
2011 and 2012 NoGi Pans Championships at Brown Belt
2012 NoGi Pans Championship at Brown Belt Open Weight
2014 NoGi Pans Silver Medal at Black Belt
2014 NoGi World Bronze Medal at Black Belt Open Weight
Here is his Facebook post below which includes his personal email address, birthday and relationship status (jk).
