Three GR Fighters Gear Up for the April NAAFS Fight Show

GR members Josh Belle, Brad Buckovics and Jeff Offak look to extend the gym’s impressive winning streak on the April 26th NAAFS card in Akron, OH.  Josh and Brad have already won under the GR banner and are full GR Team Fighters.  Jeff was left “standing at the altar” at Combat Challenge 25 when his opponent withdrew, so this will be his MMA debut fighting for the gym.

• Josh Belle v Eric Rundquist 2-2 independent at 170 
• Jeff Offak v Joe Pinental 0-0 at 125
• Brad Buckovics v TBA at 170

Click on the names (in yellow) for the full fight record for each fighter

What: Combat Challenge 27
Date: Saturday April 26, 2014
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
Tickets: Contact Jason Dent, Josh, Jeff or Brad at GR

Intimidation Clothing will be sponsoring Josh, Brad and Jeff

Written by: Bob Donaghy

Comer Fights for Driven MMA

On March 1st, George Comer charges back into the cage for the first time since his July win over Brian Camozzi at Fight Night in the Flats.  This time George heads to Canton for Driven MMA’s inaugural event.  Drive MMA is the rebranded Pro division of NAAFS, so it’s not totally unfamiliar territory.  While this is George’s first fight ‘out of town’,  at 70 miles, Canton isn’t far enough to keep George’s rabid fans from making the trip.

George Comer is a wrestling machine.  With a total fight record of 12-1, 9 of his wins were grinding decisions.  He’s been mixing it up since turning pro (3-1) with half of his wins via submission.  His opponent, Anthony Morgan, who started his career as a 185# and didn't really settle in as a 155 until the start of 2013, carries a 12-5 overall record, and is undefeated as a pro (3-0).   With 4 wins by tko, 4 by sub, and 3 by decision (his losses are a mixed bag as well) Morgan is a well balanced fighter.  They have one opponent in common: Stephen Singleton.  Comer beat Singleton last March by Arm Triangle Choke at 1:37 of round 2.  Morgan beat Singleton in October by Guillotine Choke at 2:28 of round 1.

As usual George will be sporting Intimidation Clothing gear to the cage.

What: Driven MMA One
Date: Saturday March 1, 2014
Where: Canton Civic Center 1101 Market Ave N. , Canton OH 44702
When: Doors Open at 5:30 PM, Event Starts at 7:00 PM
Tickets: Contact George Comer or Jason Dent at GR

Here is the full card:
265lbs Curt Lemmon 1-0 vs Ryan Walls 2-0
170lbs Reggie Parks 2-1 vs Kenny Booker 2-1
145lbs Louis Johnson 2-0 vs Wes Hanson 1-0
135lbs Summer Bradshaw 0-0 vs Jessica Zomcik 0-0-0
155lbs Anthony Morgan 3-0 vs George Comer 3-1
265lbs William Penn 7-3 vs John Hawk 8-5
145lbs Kyle Rozewski 3-3 vs Dustin Kempf 6-6
135lbs Charles Stanford 4-1 vs Isaiah Chapman 4-1
145lbs Ricky Musgrave 11-4 vs Frank Caraballo 12-6
145lbs Wes Lane 3-2 vs Antonio Castillo Jr 7-4
205lbs Rodney Wallace 19-7-1vs Max Grishin 13-6
175lbs Dominique Steele 10-4 (Vision MMA) vs Dan Hornbuckle 20-7 (ATT WarHawks)


View Larger Map

Written by: Bob Donaghy

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