BJJ champ Garry Tonon making move to MMA, signs with ONE Championship

Tonon and ONE Championship announce an exclusive fight deal.

From the grappling mat to the cage; Garry Tonon is making the long-awaited jump to professional mixed martial arts. The New Jersey native announced that he’s making the move to MMA, but not through the regional circuit. Instead, he’s signed with the largest promotion in Asia, ONE Championship.

On Monday, ONE Championship officials announced that Tonon signed an exclusive deal with the fight promotion. Terms and debut fight details have not been announced at this time.

“I am thrilled to be able to finally announce my arrival in ONE Championship,” Tonon said via the release. “It is the natural evolution in my career as a grappler. I have achieved all that I have set out to do in the world of jiu-jitsu, and now I am ready to take on a new challenge. I am excited to begin my ONE Championship career, and proud to showcase my skills on the biggest global stage of competition.”

It was first mentioned that Tonon was planning a move to MMA back in 2015.

Tonon is a well-accomplished grappler who has grew to fame in recent years. He’s a multiple time IBJJF No Gi and Pan American champion, multiple-time EBI champion and recently placed fourth in the ADCC tournament last month.

His resume includes victories over many different competitors who have experience in both MMA and competitive grappling. He’s defeated the likes of Gilbert Burns, Vinny Magalhaes, Ralek Gracie and Javier Vasquez among others. In 2016 he put on a match of the year candidate against UFC veteran and feared heel-hook artist, Rousimar Palhares at Polaris 3. Earlier this year he defeated ONE FC star, Shinya Aoki, via heel hook in a special matchup.

Tonon joins a growing list of prospects from other areas of the sport making the move to mixed martial arts. Another grappling standout, Dillon Danis, signed a deal with Bellator MMA but has yet to debut for the company. Blue-chip wrestling prospect, Aaron Pico, also debuted this year and even though he stumbled at first, he quickly rebounded with a stunning knockout in his second appearance.

He earned his black belt under Tom DeBlass and Ricardo Almeida in 2013.