Garry Tonon, a multiple BJJ World Champion, hails from a quaint town on New Jersey's renowned Jersey Shore. From a young age, his mother, a recreation specialist at a non-profit organization serving special-needs children, noticed signs of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in Tonon.
His foray into the world of grappling started with wrestling, where he competed widely during his school years. A turning point came around his fourteenth birthday when a friend acquainted him with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, leading to an immediate infatuation. Martial arts proved to be a beneficial outlet for managing his ADHD, resulting in a substantial positive impact on his life.
Tonon's dedication to the sport led him to Tom DeBlass' Ocean County BJJ, where he became one of the revered legend's most committed students. He tasted his first victory on the global stage at 16 when he clinched the BJJ World Title in the juvenile blue belt division in 2008.
Tonon's journey in sports has seen him emerge as one of the foremost grapplers globally. "The Lion Killer," as he is fondly known, earned his black belt in 2013 and continued to make waves in grappling contests. His remarkable journey includes the titles of IBJJF BJJ World Champion, two-time IBJJF World No-Gi Champion, and a five-time winner at the Eddie Bravo Invitational.
Switching gears in 2018, Tonon shifted his focus to the world of MMA, where he leveraged his formidable grappling skills and underestimated striking ability to clinch six victories in commanding style. Despite falling short in his bid for the ONE Featherweight World Title against then-champion Thanh Le in March 2022, he demonstrated resilience with a first-round win in January 2023.
Known as "The Lion Killer" Garry Tonon's nickname reflects his larger-than-life persona in the fight world.
Weighing in at approximately 170 pounds, Garry Tonon's weight aligns with his competitive category in the fighting world.
Boasting a reach of 69 inches, Garry Tonon employs this attribute strategically during his matches.