Pros Pick: Weidman VS Silva 2

Every UFC PPV Sherdog runs Pros Pick, an article in which pro fighters are polled for their opinion on the outcome of the upcoming PPV's main event.  Jason Dent is a frequent contributor to these polls.

From Sherdog.com:

For one, the rematch represents a shot at validation. For the other, it serves an opportunity to enhance an already historic legacy.

Chris Weidman will defend his Ultimate Fighting Championship middleweight crown against former titleholder Anderson Silva in the UFC 168 main event on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Weidman captured the 185-pound championship a little less than six months ago, when he ended the reign of “The Spider” with a stunning second-round knockout at UFC 162.

Sherdog.com touched base with a number of professional fighters and trainers to gauge their opinions on the UFC 168 headliner:

Jason Dent: Who I want to win and who I think will win is definitely different here. My brains say Weidman while my heart is with Silva. I hope I end up being wrong, but I believe Chris’ wrestling and Brazilian jiu-jitsu skills will be too much for Anderson. When you couple Chris’ ground skills with his heavy hands and willingness to get right in your face, it makes him the worst possible matchup for Anderson. I believe Weidman will find a way to submit Anderson before the fight is over after Anderson gets frustrated by Chris’ takedowns and ground-and-pound. Again, I really hope to be wrong on this pick because I’m a really huge Silva fan.

The rest of the article is HERE

Adapted by: Bob Donaghy

3rd Annual GR Christmas Party

The Holidays are done, and another Christmas Party is consigned to memory.  By any measure it was great. It peaked at over 100 in the gym (see picture above), but people were coming and going all evening.  From from the heaps of food piled on the community tables most heeded the Pot Luck Rule.  Even with three corn hole sets on the mat in the main room there was a line to play.  The kids (and kids at heart) kept the PS3 busy all night.  The Christmas Brawl saw good action; over twenty contestants and easily the most enthusiastic audience - which you might expect at a fight gym.  Boxing will become a regular Christmas Party event.  Andy Lesak had the winning ticket in the 50/50 raffle, the proceeds will go to new Muay Thai equipment.

As always the gym’s loyal sponsors showed strong support.  The Happy Moose provided great wraps for the community table.  Love & Frosting Bakery cooked up a GR themed cake, which went too quickly for me to get a piece.

But with all the competition, food and games, it’s clear the highlight of the night was the chance for the GR extended family to get together and just relax.  Jason Dent and the GR staff (and this writer in particular) want to thank that family for making GR a place anyone would be proud to be a part of.

Written by:  Bob Donaghy

Ahmad Douglas Wins at NAAFS

Ahmad Triangles Andrew Newman while Jason Dent looks on

Ahmad Douglas took the GR fight team to the end of 2013 in spectacular fashion at the NAAFS NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS event; a textbook perfect submission of his opponent brought Ahmad's record to 2-0. With a first round TKO in his first win, and a first round submission in his second, Ahmad is setting the bar high as a ‘all rounder’ in the cage.

Ahmad set himself up for these wins with his consistent training and focus.  When you come to class, one of the givens is Ahmad got there ahead of you.  When you see Ahmad, be sure to congratulate him on his win!

Full Event Results:
Timmy Bowman defeats Brandon Glarner via TKO (Injury) at 0:49 of Round 1
Nic Lute defeats Chris Kingsley via Tapout (Rear Naked Choke) at 1:29 of Round 1
Kenny Locsei defeats Osahon Omo-Osagie via TKO at 2:38 of Round 2
Darion Peterson defeats Scott Mauck via KO at 1:09 of Round 2
Ahmad Douglas defeats Andrew Newman via Tapout (Triangle) at 2:42 of Round 1
Anthony Monteleone defeats Scottie Moritz via Disqualification at 1:41 of Round 1

2013 National Amateur Series Championship Bouts
Katlyn Chookagian defeats Vanessa Demopoulos via TKO at 2:11 of Round 3 – Chookagian wins the 2013 NAAFS Amateur Series Women’s title
Antwan Phillips defeats Jeff Hughes via Split Decision (29-28/28-29/29-28) – Phillips wins the 2013 NAAFS Amateur Series Heavyweight title
Nick Browne defeats Nick Foxhuber via Unanimous Decision (30-27/30-27/30-27) – Browne wins the 2013 NAAFS Amateur Series Lightweight title
Josh Krizan defeats Ivan Rodriguez via Unanimous Decision (29-28/29-28/29-28) – Krizan wins the 2013 NAAFS Amateur Series Welterweight title
J.T. Miller defeats Cody Tominack via TKO at 2:15 of Round 2 – Miller wins the 2013 NAAFS Amateur Series Middleweight title
Seth Shaffer defeats Mario Micale via TKO at 0:47 of Round 1 – Shaffer wins the 2013 NAAFS Amateur Series Bantamweight title

Written by: Bob Donaghy

GR Adds Personal Training Program

GriffonRawl grows again with the addition of the Personal Training Program. Jason has named five instructors as sanctioned trainers for the gym. Jason and these five are the only people allowed to use the GR facility for private lessons.

If you're looking for a way to bring your game to the next level, to polish up some detail or just to get in better shape, a personal trainer can be a great investment.  The focused attention of GR's experts can put your training over the top.

In all, there are six trainers:

• Jeff Starr
• Donny Walker
• Chuck Schilling
• Aaron 'Juice' Veverka
• Jason Dent
• George Comer

Three Simple Rules:

1. Anyone can book time with any of the trainers, GR membership is not required.
2. Book your time directly with the trainer, not the gym.  Use email, Facebook or, or book with them face to face at the gym.
3. All lessons are pre-paid, no exceptions.  

Rates: 

All trainers, with the exception of Jeff Starr, are $40 per hour.  Jeff Starr is $60 per hour for GriffonRawl members, and $80 per hour for non-members.

Meet the Trainers:

Jeff Starr may have the deepest experience as a trainer of the group.  Jeff started in martial arts in 1988 and specialized in BJJ in 1993.  He is now a Relson Gracie Black Belt. Dozens of his students have gone on to win awards and accolades in both BJJ and MMA. His private lessons cover not just sport BJJ, also self defense (with and without, weapons). Jeff has been Head BJJ instructor for GR for the past 5 years.

Donny Walker can do it all.  A  pro MMA fighter with several fights in the UFC and titles in several promotions Donny has been Head Boxing instructor for GR for the past 6 years as well as been coaching/fighting for GriffonRawl for since its inception. Donny is a key member of the gym and his training and experience in law enforcement gives him excellent qualifications in self defense.

Chuck Schilling is a member of the GR Amateur Fight Team.  For 10 years Chuck was a coach for the Mentor High Wrestling Team, one of the best in the state.  He is currently Head Coach for GR’s Jr MMA program. Chuck tells us his instruction will  focus on grappling and strength and conditioning.  Chuck’s long background in coaching ensures a careful and complete training experience.


Kru Aaron “Juice” Veverka has been with GR since the “Danny days” (about 15 years)having fought under both Danny and Jason.

He is a certified Muay Thai instructor in Muay Thai in the Thai Boxing Association under Master Surachai Sirisute and has traveled the country to attend training seminars and camps to get his training.

Jason Dent is, of course, the owner of GriffonRawl, and one of the most experienced fighters and instructors in the Academy.  Jason was Head Instructor for the MMA program until turning the day to day responsibilities over to Chuck and George earlier this year. Jason has fought and won pro titles, won on the ultimate fighter, won in the UFC, and is currently a Brown Belt under Jeff Starr/Relson Gracie. Every current member of the gym has experienced Jason’s instruction at some point.  He is famously careful with detail and he remains the most requested instructor.

George Comer runs the GR Adult MMA program.  George, like Donny, can cover all the bases he’s another ‘do it all’ instructor with a formal certificate in personal training to back up his experience in the cage and in the gym. George was a 2x National Amateur NAAFS MMA Champion, is currently a 3-1 Professional MMA fighter, and has an extensive wrestling background both in high school and college.  If you're looking to take your conditioning to the next level, George is your guy.

Written by: Bob Donaghy