Four Fighters to Evolve's 1st Kickboxing Smoker for 2014

February 21st Evolve holds their first kickboxing Smoker of 2014.  Looking to expand on the very successful series from 2013, they've added bouts and gyms to the lineup.  GR is sending four warriors this time.  So save the Friday, and make the trip South with your GR family to cheer Khalil, Nikolai, Jim and Sammy to victory.

Smokers are informal, the results are not part of a fighter’s official record.  Any gym member, with Jason’s permission, can fight.  This is one of the times when GR members compete on an equal footing with members of the fight team.  But it is full contact, and while rounds are shorter the fights are taken seriously by the competitors.

What: Evolve Muay Thai Smoker
Date: Friday, February 21, 2014
Where: Evolve MMA 387 Medina Road, Medina, Ohio (2 miles west of I-77 Montrose exit)
When: Doors Open at 5:00 PM, Event Starts at 6:30 PM
Contact: Evolve MMA @ (234) 248-4409 or Jason Dent at GR

Tentative bouts, as published on the Evolve Facebook page follow:

1) Khalil Khalil vs Shawn Rall
2) John Border vs Steve Chapple
3) Matt Pace vs Joe Wheeler
4) Nikolai Gionti vs Trevor Wentzel
5) Jeremy Harper vs Ross Holub
6) Shannon Farnworth vs Ashlee Gambino
7) Nash Potter vs Logan Brown
8) Jim Payne vs Shane Robinson
9) Jason Olson vs Aaron Garrett
10) Devonte Smith vs Jake Rathwell
11) Scott Higley vs Shea Flaherty
12) Sammy Callari vs Mil Iannetta
13) Izzy William vs Kyle Booth

For current details see the Evolve  website: HERE


View Larger Map

Written by: Bob Donaghy

GR Sending Three to NAAFS Combat Challenge 26

 NAAFS kicks off 2014 with Combat Challenge 26 at Chapparells Center in Akron.  Ahmad Douglas, Joe Callari and Brad Bukovics of the GR  Academy Fight Team will compete,  though NAAFS has not released the names of their opponents to the public.

All three men are coming off wins.  Intimidation Clothing will sponsor all three of the GR warriors.  For tickets contact Joe, Brad, Ahmad or Jason Dent (contact info below).

What: Combat Challenge 26
Date: February 8, 2014
Where: Chapparells Community Center, 2418 S. Arlington Rd Akron OH 44319
When: Doors Open at 5:00 PM, Event Starts at 6:30 PM
Contact: Ahmad Douglas, Joe Callari, Brad Bukovics (links to FaceBook)
Price: Contact the fighters, or see the NAAFS website: HERE

Full fight card to be announced


View Larger Map

Written by: Bob Donaghy

WKA Kicks off the Holidays with a Smoker

Ryan Madigan's World Kickboxing Academy will host their second Smoker to round out 2013. Back in July GR sent a five man team to their first Smoker, this time around Erica Brooke joins Khalil Joseph Khalil, Jim Payne, Joe Callari, & GR Pro Bryon McCroskey to compete for GriffonRawl. Make the trip with us and support the GR Team!

Smokers are for fun and experience. They are free to the public, the results are not recorded, and not part of the fighter’s record. 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: December 20, 2013
Where: 3301 Kent Rd., Stow, Ohio 44224
Time: Weigh in at 6 pm.  Fights start: 7 pm
Cost:  Free

Written by: Bob Donaghy

3rd Annual GriffonRawl Christmas Party

2013 is nearly done, and yes, that means it time for the 3rd Annual GriffonRawl Christmas Bash. The first two parties were huge successes, but that’s no reason not to set the bar even higher this year!  Round up your friends and celebrate the season with your GR Family!

2013 was amazing, it's time to celebrate our good fortune and gratitude for the Season. Bring your Holiday cheer, wear an ugly sweater (optional), and bring your friends (or just a sweater and bring your ugly friends). This year the party will have something for everyone. Of course there will be Christmas music, and lots of food (Bring Food - it’s Pot Luck). Last year the Corn Hole Tournament was a big hit. This year there will be three boards running, and a PS3 setup for the gamers. If you’re not feeling so competitive so close to the Holidays, we have a 50-50 raffle. So before you get off the couch, reach back and find some change for a good cause. But if you are feeling really competitive, we have that covered too: The GriffonRawl Christmas Brawl. What is more on the mark for the Season of Joy than two friends trading punches in the the ring? This event is for current GR members only: One round of regulation boxing - wearing a Santa (or Elf) hat. The rules are simple: You lose your hat, you lose the match. We will take a list of those wanting to spar and draw names to determine match ups. These are just matches for fun and not actually fights.

Who: You (and everyone else)

What: Christmas!

Where: GriffonRawl Academy: 6090 Pinecone Drive, Mentor, OH

When: December 21st (Saturday) at 6 pm

Why: Really, Scrooge?

How Much: It's FREE.. but bring food please, it's pot luck

View Larger Map

Written by: Bob Donaghy

Ahmad Douglas Fights Again on December 7th

December 7th Ahmad Douglas gloves up again for GriffonRawl, this time as a member of the Academy Fight Team. Ahmad is coming off of a 1st round TKO victory this past October 5th over Jason Stull. NAAFS Night of Champions 2013 will take place at Chapparell’s Community Center in Akron (details below).  Ahmad will be sponsored by Intimidation clothing. Though most of the card is set as of this posting, the card is always subject to change. The all amateur card features a bout to decide the 2013 NAAFS Amateur Middleweight title with JT Miller (5-0) facing Cody Tominack.


Other matchups announced:

Mario Micale (7-5) v Seth Shaffer (5-0).
RJ Buck (12-4) v Jerrell Hodge (9-1).
Nick Browne (9-1) v Nick Foxhuber (7-1).
Josh Krizan (7-1) v AJ Dobson (6-0).

Also: Dave Lastafka, Nick Dowe, Katlyn Chookagian, Dave Bever and Scottie Moritz.

Tickets are available either through Ahmad or Jason Dent (contact info below).

What: Night of Champions 2013
Date: December 7, 2013
Where: Chapparell’s Community Center, 2418 S. Arlington Rd Akron OH 44319
When: Doors Open at 5:00 PM, Event Starts at 6:30 PM
Contact: Call Jason @  440-358-9371 or contact Ahmad Douglas  (links to FaceBook)
Price: See NAAFS website: HERE

Full fight card to be announced


View Larger Map

Written by: Bob Donaghy

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

 

View Larger Map

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





View Larger Map

Written by: Bob Donaghy