IGC 4: Time to Get Your Grapple On

IGC 1 1st place

It’s nearly time for GR’s own Kumite: the IGC.  Originally conceived as a GR only competition, it quickly evolved into an invitational. Every year Jason and the coaches decide which gyms (and a few individuals) to extend invitations to.  Only the best of the best are invited, making the IGC the most competitive grappling day of the year at GriffonRawl.  This year Jason is inviting even more guest grapplers from other gyms with  bigger and better trophies and two more weight classes.

IGC 2 1st& 2nd

This tournament is so competitive there have been very few repeat winners; the only three-peat Gold medalist is George Comer.  It is hoped, even with his new responsibilities, that he will find time to hit the mat again this year and defend his streak.

IGC 3 1st & 2nd

November 22nd will be here fast, and the brackets are limited.  So sign up now, and get motivated to train.







What: 4th Annual IGC Tournament
Date:  Saturday, November 22, 2014
Where: GriffonRawl MMA Academy 6090 Pinecone Dr Mentor, OH 44060
When: Weigh In: 2 to 3pm, Rules Meeting: 3pm, Tournament to follow Rules.
Register: $30 for early registration, $40 to register at the door.  Call Jason Dent: 440-358-9371 to register.

This event is FREE to fans, family, friend,s and the public.

The tournament format is the same: double elimination, but there are two more weight classes: Flyweight (125 lbs), and Super Heavyweight (265+ lbs).  The full range of classes is listed just below.

 - 125lbs Flyweight
 - 135lbs Bantamweight
 - 145lbs Featherweight
 - 155lbs Lightweight
 - 170lbs Welterweight
 - 185lbs Middleweight
 - 205lbs Light Heavyweight
 - 265lbs Heavyweight
 - 265lbs & up/Super Heavyweight

Every class has trophies for 1st and medals for 2nd.  Weight limits will be strictly enforced.  If you can't make weight, be prepared to fight up, or sit it out.  Brackets will fill up fast, and November is just around the corner, so call and sign up today!

If you're not in GriffonRawl, we want you to come, but it's invitation only so contact Jason Dent: 440-358-9371 to make arrangements.  You can't just show up the day of the tournament and expect to be seeded.

This year the tournament is sponsored by long time GR friends: Reel’s Auto and Intimidation clothing

Written by: Bob Donaghy

Krav Maga Gun Defense Training Comes to GR

With the success of the ongoing Krav Maga series at GR, Sara Fox and Jason have decided to expand the scope of the program  include some of the special instruction she can provide.  Sarah is specifically trained and expert on dealing with attacks with weapons.  She will impart some of this knowledge in a special two and a half hour seminar dealing with gun defense at GriffonRawl on Friday, October 24th.

All of the Krav Maga seminars have sold out  Don’t be left behind, space will go quickly, so reserve your slot ASAP by calling: 440-358-9371

Fight Fit Krav Maga site is HERE

What: Krav Maga Gun Defense
Date: Friday, October 24, 2014
Where: GriffonRawl MMA Academy 6090 Pinecone Dr. Mentor, OH 44060
When: 6 to 8:30 pm
Tickets: $20 for GR members, $30 for non members.  Add $10 if purchased at the door.



Action Automotive continues its sponsorship of the Krav Maga series.

Written by: Bob Donaghy

October Brings Fall and the Level 2 TBA Clinic

GR continues its ongoing series of seminars in conjunction with the American Thai Boxing Association with its upcoming Level 2 Clinic. On Saturday, October 18th at 1 pm.

Anyone that is already a Student Level 2 or higher under the Thai Boxing Association of the U.S.A.s encouraged to still come and will be FREE of course. The cost of this clinic will be $20 everyone else. This mini seminar/clinic is to designed to improve your knowledge and skill level and to get you ready for your Level 2 test that will be scheduled later this year.

What: Level 2 TBA Clinic
Date: Saturday, October 18
Where: GriffonRawl MMA Academy 6090 Pinecone Dr Mentor, OH 44060
When: 1 pm
Tickets: $20

GR’s own Kru Aaron ‘Juice’ Veverka is the certified TBA instructor for this seminar.  Jason Dent wilI train and assist as well

Anyone can attend.  If you are not even level 1 tested you can come and train and learn but you will not be be eligible for the level 2 test.



Written by: Bob Donaghy

Time to Get Your MT On: Fall Smoker at Vanyo’s

October 10th GR sends another group of fighters South to Stowe to kick off the weekend with an evening of fight fun.  Vanyo’s annual Fall Kickboxing Smoker starts at 7 pm and ends when the last hand has been raised.  This time GR members Rob Rizer, Kaylee Maynard, Matt Perez, & Masda Diaz will carry the GR banner into battle.

These fight nights are always fun and competitive, with the biggest benefit being the experience of fighting in front of a live crowd (not composed solely of friends and family).  It’s a different experience for the fighters, and a lot of fun to watch.  Spread the word and make the trip!

What: Vanyo Kickboxing Smoker
Date: Friday, October 10, 2014
Where: Vanyo Martial Arts 19748 W 130th St Strongsville, OH 44136
When: 7 pm
Tickets: FREE

The last smoker we sent a large contingent, we should be able to match or beat that number easily this time.



Written by: Bob Donaghy

Ahmad Douglas Gets Ready to Rumble for NAAFS

One of GR’s most active and aggressive young fighters, Ahmad Douglas, will work to add a fourth win to his record on October 4th at NAAFS “Rock N Rumble 8’  Ahmad takes his winning record into the cage against undefeated Adli Edwards from Ronin MMA Fight Team.  This fight is a semifinal in the NAAFS 145 lb National Tournament  The winner will contend for the belt in December.

What: NAAFS “Rock N Rumble 8”
Date: Saturday, October 4, 2014
Where: Canton Memorial Civic Center 1101 Market Ave N Canton, OH
When: 6:30 pm
Tickets: Contact Ahmad Douglas on his Facebook page HERE

“Rock N Rumble 8” will feature musical guest Mike Owens performing live during intermission. But it’s the loaded fight fans will be wanting see. The main event features a rescheduled super fight between former NAAFS champion Cody “The Wolverine” Stevens (11-7) and current champion Frank “The Tank” Caraballo (13-7) who will put his featherweight title on the line.

Be sure to see Ahmad for tickets to this outstanding event.

Ahmad’s record is HERE
Adli Edward’s record is HERE



The entire card for the event is below:

Undercard

• 135 lbs – Chris Varner 2-1 (Mad Dog Fight Team) vs Dalton Brady 3-0 (Team Ascension)
• 185 lbs – Shane Holbert 6-3 (Independent) vs Dan Stevenson 6-0 (Independent)
• 155 lbs – Corey Dulaney 5-1 (Disabito MMA/Ronin) vs Jeffrey Pelton 3-1 (Evolve MMA)
• 145 lbs – Adli Edwards 4-0 (Ronin) vs Ahmad Douglas 3-1 (GriffonRawl)
• 170 lbs – Paolo Gallo 3-1 (Team Ascension) vs Izzy Wiliam 6-2 (Evolve MMA)
• 155 lbs – Nick Foxhuber 8-2 (Ronin MMA) vs Devonte Smith 6-2 (Evolve MMA)
• 115 lbs – Jessica Dinch 1-3 (Independent) vs Meghan Joyce 2-1 (Art of Karate/Instigator)
• 145 lbs – Tyler Lucas-Walsh 3-0 (Rock Hard MMA) vs Tobiaus Taylor 5-1 (Rising Dragon/Cal Crowell MMA/Rio Pro)
• 185 lbs – Darion Peterson 3-0 (Strong Style Fight Team) vs Devon Kelleher 3-0 (Evolve MMA)

Featured Professional Card

• 265lbs – Daniel James 1-1 (Midwest Training Center) vs Jeff Hughes 0-0 (Evolve MMA)
• 265 lbs – Bobby Brents 14-4 (The Garage) vs John Hawk 9-5 (Strong Style Fight Team)
• 145 lbs – Wes Hanson 3-0 (Leon Ramsey’s Dawg House) vs Matt DiMarcantonio 5-4 (Team Ascension)
• 145 lbs – Eric Bledsoe 1-0 (Bullpen) vs RJ Buck 1-0 (Strong Style Fight Team)
• 135 lbs – Charles Stanford 5-2 (G-Force) vs Cody Garbrandt 4-0 (Team Alpha Male)
• 135 TITLE – Antonio Castillo Jr 8-4 (Midwest Training Center /Strong Style Fight Team) vs Bryan Goldsby 18-14 (Team Gurgel)
• 145 TITLE – Cody Stevens 11-7-1 (Strong Style Fight Team) vs Frank Caraballo 13-7 (Cal Crowell MMA Training Center)

Written by: Bob Donaghy

Jorge Pereira Returns

Jorge Pereira is back!  As he promised after Pereira’s very popular June seminar, Jeff/Jason moved quickly to secure Prof, Pereira for a second time this year.  For those of you who missed the first opportunity to learn from the legendary Prof. Pereira you have your chance to make up for it.

Prof. Jorge Pereira is a Coral Belt - 7th Degree Black Belt (Graduated by Rickson Gracie and Carlos Gracie Jr.) He is Certified by the Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Federation & by the Confederation of Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paolo. For more on Jorge Pereira click HERE

And for all our MMA fighters and no-gi aficionados, Prof. Pereira holds a 9-4 MMA record. All of his wins are first round submissions

As before this is a two part seminar.  The first two hours is No gi, a half hour break, then two hours of gi.  The gym will remain open during the seminar.

What: Jorge Pereira Seminar II
Date: Saturday October 4, 2014
Where: GriffonRawl MMA Academy
When: 12:30 - 2:30 pm Gi, 3 - 5 pm NoGi
Cost:
Pre-pay: $75 for one session, $100 for both
Day of: $100 for one session, $125 for both
Tickets: Contact Jason Dent at GR

Again sponsoring the seminar is Reel's Auto Sales

Brazilian Jiujitsu Black Belt Jorge Pereira shows how to Pass The Guard



Also sponsoring this event:  Defense Soap and Intimidation Clothing

Written by: Bob Donaghy

GR Young Bloods Head Back to High School

Less than a week from today three of GR’s youngest fighters will take to the cage for Explosive Fight Promotions fourth event of 2014: Rumble at Ridgewood.  EFP is new to Ohio, but that hasn’t kept them from making a big impact on the local fight scene.  Each event has been bigger than the last and better attended.

GR’s three entries on the card are William Sutton, Nick Gionti and Kevin McCallion.  All three will make their GR debut in the cage that night, though all have Smoker and tournament experience.  Kevin McCallion has cage time, but this will be his first fight for GR.

What: Rumble at Ridgewood
Date: Saturday, September 6, 2014
Where: Ridgewood High School 602 Johnson Street West Lafayette, OH
When: Doors open at 5:30, first bell at 7:30
Tickets: See William Sutton, Nick Gionti, Kevin McCallion

Be sure to get your tickets from Bill, Nick or Kevin

Fights announced so far are:

• William Sutton vs Criston Williams (205), 
• Nikolai Gionti vs Aaron Woods (135)
• Kevin McCallion vs Tyler Cavalear (145)

Written by: Bob Donaghy