Get Ready for the Third Annual IGC Tournament

It's nearly time again for the GriffonRawl IGC Nogi Submission Tournament.  Even bigger than last year,  it will be 7 weight classes, double elimination, everyone gets a chance to compete multiple times.

Brackets are already filling up, and we're making an effort to bring in outside gyms, so call and sign up today!

2012 Class Winners

Every class (135, 145, 155, 170, 185, 205, 265) will be represented.  Weight limits will be strictly enforced.  If you can't make weight, be prepared to fight up, or sit it out.  This year first place gets a trophy and 2nd gets a medal. 

The tournament is open to all comers, not just GR members.  If you're not a member of GriffonRawl, we want you to come, but you have to call ahead to be seeded. 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.

What: GR IGC III
Date: November 23, 2013
Where: GriffonRawl Academy, 6090 Pinecone Drive  Mentor, OH
When: Weigh Ins 2 to 3pm, Rules Meeting 3pm, Tournament to follow Rules.
Contact: Jason Dent (440) 358-9371
Price: $20 early registration, $30 registration day of the tournament

This year our returning sponsors are:

• Intimidation Clothing
• Action Automotive
• Roctagon MMA

   

And this year we have two new sponsors:

• The Happy Moose Bar & Grill
• Lake County Speedway

 

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Written by: Bob Donaghy

Jason Dent to Main Event for Provincial Fighting Championshps

October 26th Jason Dent breaks out the cold weather clothes early and heads North to trade punches in the main event for the Provincial Fighting Championships of London, Ontario.

His opponent will be Canadian MMA mainstay,  Chris "The Polish Hammer" Horodecki (19-4).  Horodecki has a broad resume with fights in IFL, WEC, Bellator, and several smaller promotions.  Since his release from Bellator in April of 2012, he's recorded a 'no contest' (head wound) and a win.  His most recent fight, one of only 4 submission wins in his career, was on July 20th. 

This fight marks Jason's return to active fighting after 17 months focusing on developing other fighters on the GriffonRawl teams.  In Horodecki Jason faces an opponent who will stand rather than go for takedowns, and will go for the early finish, exactly the kind of fight Jason Dent looks for.  . 

PFC has travel packages available on their site, for fans wanting to make the trip and support their favorite fighter.

What: Provincial Fighting Championships: Unrivaled
Where: London, ONT Canada: Western Fair Agriplex, 845 Florence St., London, N5W 6G6, Ontario, Canada
When: October 26, 2013
Time: First bell at 7 pm, Doors open at 5 pm
Tickets: 888-SIMREN1 or 519-438-6936  $100 VIP, $75 Floor, $50 General
Site: Provincial Fighting Championships





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Written by: Bob Donaghy

GR Debuts Two Fighters at Combat Challenge 25

Two GR amateurs make their MMA debuts on October 5th: Ahmad Douglas & Jeffrey James Offak glove up to test themselves in the NAAFS cage.   Both Douglas and Offak have successful experience in grappling tournaments and smokers and Jason Dent feels both are ready to make the jump to MMA.

JJ Offak says he was supposed to make his debut in June : "...but they were not able to find me a fight. I've had kickboxing smoker and an MMA smoker that I did in Tucson Arizona, grappling tournaments experience. But this will be my first sanctioned MMA fight."

This is more than just a debut fight for both men, a win in the NAAFS cage will qualify them for the amateur team.  Coach Chuck Schilling will be in charge of fight prep as well as cornering both men on the 5th.

What: NAAFS Combat Challenge 25
When: Oct 5, 2013  Doors open at 5 pm, first bell at 6:30 pm
Where: Chapparell’s Community Center, 2418 S. Arlington R, Akron OH 44319
Tickets: Call Jason @  440-358-9371 or contact Ahmad Douglas or JJ Offak (links to FaceBook)

145# Ahmad Douglas, GriffonRawl (0-0) v Joseph Weise, Independent  (0-0)
125# JJ Offak, GriffonRawl (0-0) v Steven Smith


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Written by: Bob Donaghy

Dan Rawlings Returns to GriffonRawl!

Dan Rawlings, the founder of GriffonRawl, returns to the academy for the first time in two years for a seminar on September 28th.  The seminar, in two parts over four hours, will hammer home some of Dan's wisdom and experience in the fine art of striking.  Dan's expertise, homed over a 15 year career as a professional Muay Thai fighter, is a important resource for the academy, which we do not get to sample often enough, and should not be missed.  While the GriffonRawl Muay Thai program is rightfully considered to be one of the best in the area, having a guest instructor of Dan Rawlings rank is rare and all academy members with a sincere interest in advancing their striking game are encourage to attend.

After the second session, join us at The Happy Moose in Mentor (formerly Cleats) at the intersection of rt 306 and rt 2.

Many thanks to our seminar sponsors: Intimidation Clothing,  The Happy Moose, , The Rock House Gym, Action Automotive and East Mentor Family Chiropractic in Mentor.



Dan founded GriffonRawl Academy in Ohio in 1997.  He now lives in Florida where he operates two GriffonRawl academies.   Dan is a Pro Muay Thai fighter & a Pro Boxer as well. In Muay Thai Dan has competed internationally for years. He is also a certified Muay Thai Instructor under Kru Vut Kamnark of the U.W.M.T.A.

When: Saturday, Sept 28, 2013
Time: 2-4 pm Boxing, 4:30 - 6:30 Muay Thai
What: 2 hours Boxing, 2 hours Muay Thai
Where: GriffonRawl MMA Academy: 6090 Pinecone Dr. Mentor, Ohio 44060
Call:  (440) 358-9371
Afterward: At 6:30 pm, The Happy Moose 7693 Reynolds Rd  Mentor, OH 44060
Cost: $30 for Boxing seminar, $30 for Thai seminar, or $50 for both
Day of Cost: $40 for Boxing, $40 for Thai, both seminars for $60

Written by: Bob Donaghy

Vanyo Martial Arts Summer Kickboxing Smoker

September 13th marks the second Vanyo Martial Arts Smoker for 2013.  This time the turnout will be better than the first smoker when Khalil Khalil  was the sole representative of GR.  Five GR warriors will travel to Strongsville to glove up.  Make the trip with us and support the GR Team!

Jon Reeves vs TBA 140lbs
Khalil Khalil  vs TBA 125lbs
George Comer vs TBA 165lbs
Russ Herbert vs TBA 205lbs
Paul Compton vs TBA 150lbs
Tim Stafford vs TBA 150lbs

Smokers are for fun and experience.  The results are not recorded, not part of the fighter’s record and Smoker wins will not qualify a GR member for the Fight Team.  Members use them to get experience and practice outside the familiar surroundings of the academy.  Fight team members use them the same way.  Smoker fights are a pro tool available to every member of the academy.

What: Vanyo Kickboxing Smoker
When: September 13, 2013
Where: 19748 W. 130th St, Strongsville, Ohio 44136
Time: Weigh in at 6 pm.  Fights start: 7 pm
Cost:  Free

Vanyo Martial Arts site: HERE



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Written by: Bob Donaghy

GriffonRawl Sends Two to Rock N' Rumble

This weekend two of GR's best up and coming amateurs step back in the cage right here in Cleveland for the 7th edition of NAAFS Rock N Rumble.  Joe Callari (170) takes on Toughman champ Eric Bledsoe of Bullpen and Anthony Disantis (170) fights Zack Trout from Triple Threat who is dropping down from 185 for the event.  Come out and cheer on your fight team on the biggest local fight event of the year.

What: Rock N' Rumble 7
Where: Jacobs Pavilion at Nautica 2014 Sycamore St Cleveland OH 44113
When: August 24, 2013 Doors open at 5, first bell at 6
How Much: $42 General Admission

Tickets are available at the gym or by calling Joe and Tony direct. 


Full Fight Card
Preliminary Amateur Bouts
135 lbs – Jason Alexander 1-0 (independent) vs Floyd Cisco 0-0 (Team DiSabato MMA)
155 lbs – Aaron McGraw 3-2 vs Nick Foxhuber 5-1 (Ronin Training Center)
150 lbs – Adken Torchia 1-0 (Independent) vs Tobiaus Taylor 2-0 (Rising Dragon)
145 lbs – Cheyne Jenkins 5-1 (Mad Dog Fight Team) vs Aaron Neighbors 7-4 (All Out Assault)
140 lbs –Zach Forrester 2-4 (OVMMA) vs Bhrandon Poindexter 6-9 (Evolve MMA)
185 lbs – Steve Stocker 2-0 (Triple Threat MMA) vs Hassan Crutcher 2-0 (Rising Dragon)
170 lbs – Eric Bledsoe 2-0 (Bullpen) vs Joe Callari 6-5 (GriffonRawl)
185 lbs –Rockey Clark 4-7 (Topp Dogg MMA) vs Scottie Weaver 6-3 (Ronin Training Center)
170 lbs – Zack Trout 2-0 (Triple Threat MMA)vs Anthony Disantis 2-1(GriffonRawl)
185 lbs – Lillo General 1-0 (Black Dragon Warlords) vs Darion Peterson 0-0 (Strong Style Fight Team)
155 lbs – Nick Browne6-1 (Uniontown Fight Club) vs Corey Dulaney 5-0 (Team DiSabato MMA)

Featured Professional Bouts
170 lbs – Chris Tucker 5-2 (Reed Academy of MMA) vs Dave Vandevelde 6-2-1 (Wrestling Factory Cleveland)
145 lbs – Antonio Castillo Jr 14-4 (Instigator Fight Team) vs Brett Ewing 12-3 (American Top Team)
145 TITLE – Frank Caraballo 12-5 (Fearless Fight Team) vs Chase Beebe 24-10 (Gilbert Grappling)
185 TITLE – Travis Clark 13-1 (Evolve MMA) vs Elias Theodorou 7-0 (Team Empire/GrantsMMA)
205 TITLE – John Hawk 13-4-1 (Strong Style Fight Team) vs Josh Stansbury 14-4 (Team Impact)


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Written by: Bob Donaghy

Five GriffonRawl Fighters to Compete in First WKA Kickboxing Smoker

July 19th five GR members make the trip to Stow, OH for the World Kickboxing Academy’s first Smoker.  WKA is a new facility owned and run by longtime GR friend and associate Ryan Madigan.  There will be a after party at Chelsea's restaurant/bar located right down the road. Make the trip with us and support the GR Team!

175#     Joe Callari          v     Andrew Law  pro
150#    Ahmad Douglas  v     Ryan Joyce 1-0 (Rising Dragon)
190#    Logan Urban       v    Hassan  0-0 (Rising Dragon)
135#    Nick Pruter          v     RJ McKenzie (Team Scudova)
155#    Rex Briggs          v     Bob Koch 0-0

Smokers are for fun and experience.  The results are not recorded, not part of the fighter’s record and Smoker wins will not qualify a GR member for the Fight Team.  Members use them to get experience and practice outside the familiar surroundings of the academy.  Fight team members use them the same way.  Smoker fights are a pro tool available to every member of the academy.

What: World Kickboxing Academy Smoker
When: July 19, 2013
Where: 3301 Kent Rd., Stow, Ohio 44224
Time: Weigh in at 6 pm.  Fights start: 7 pm
Cost:  Free



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Link to WKA HERE

Written by: Bob Donaghy