Tonon: 'Win Lose Or Draw... I Know Exactly Where I Stand'

Garry Tonon doesn't shy away from a challenge. He's put it all on the line against feared grapplers such as Rousimar Palhares, Masakazu Imanari, and many more. When filming for the documentary 'Takeover', we asked the Tom DeBlass and John Danaher product how and why he's always seeking out the biggest and baddest challenges.

I always want to compete against the toughest guys, like I was saying before. It’s difficult and disappointing sometimes when you seek out really tough opponents and fall short. But at the same time, at least I know where I stand.

"If you’re not seeking out the toughest opponents and are just fighting guys who are good maybe not, he might be on my level. Thats how I felt competition at brown belt. These guys are tough and I’m succeeding but this guy isn’t the best."


L-R: Garry Tonon, Gordon Ryan and Chael Sonnen. Photo: Chase Smith

When I succeed or not against these guys I don’t know exactly where I stand. At least now when I compete against someone who I really know is a challenge, at the end of the day when I walk away from that match I know how I really did. How I really stack up to the rest of the world in terms of competition. Win, lose or draw. That information I can use to push forward. Without that information, I don’t know, I could be training blindly. I could be training things that don’t match up with being the best in the world.

"Every competitive experience you have win lose or draw, there should be some change. If there isn’t, one day you will be at a plateau. You’re always going to stay relatively consistent. Maybe pick a few movements and counters and that will be your game. Eventually everybody that steps into your path thats a young up and comer is gonna crush you because they’ll know what to expect."


Garry Tonon attempts to kneebar AJ Agazarm. Photo: Mike Calimbas 

"So to honestly stay on top of this game overtime something like that happens, a win or a loss or whatever the case may be. I have to go back and say what needs to change. Or what should I try to change in order to get better. Who knows maybe it was wrong. I don’t always have the right answers. John (Danaher) doesn’t always have the right answers. Tom (DeBlass) doesn’t always have the right answers. But you’re at least trying. If you’re not trying to get better, if you’re just working on the same things, it’s a guarantee you’ll one day hit a plateau."

Watch many Garry Tonon matches and more great content here!

Watch the trailer for our two-part documentary: Garry Tonon 'Takeover' 

Takeover: Garry Tonon (Episode One)
Takeover: Garry Tonon (Episode Two)