CFC 3 Concluded - Comer Cruises

Saturday night Coveted Fighting Championships launched in Ohio.  The Mentor Civic Ice Arena, a cavernous and modern facility filled with raucous fight fans.  Attendance did not quite make capacity, but it came close.  CFC 3 was well organized, well paced, and considering the plague of last minute drop outs and no shows by fighters, it was very successful.  Jake Digman and Kyle Rozewski did their usual fine jobs handling announcing, pacing and post fight interviews.  We understand from CFC owner Dave Sweeney we can expect to see more Coveted Fighting Championships events in Ohio soon.

Since GriffonRawl is based in Mentor Dave Sweeney approached Jason Dent early about GR fighters forming the backbone of the card.  At one point we had five fighters booked.  Over about two weeks, opponents, who had signed contracts, withdrew.  Bryon McCroskey, Cody Lewis, and Nikolai Gionti, all had and lost opponents before the weekend.  On fight day we had two men standing, Logan Urban and George Comer.  Logan’s opponent showed up for weigh in on Saturday morning, and missed by 5 pounds.  He was given 5 hours to make weight and left. He did not return.  This this was supposed to be Logan’s MMA debut.  So even with a successful event, it was a mixed night for GriffonRawl.

George’s opponent, Joe Lile,  (10-1 overall) is highly ranked and very experienced  He made weight, and showed up as a professional does.  GR wants to thank Joe Lile for being a warrior.  It was clear from early research that Joe Lile was the probably most balanced opponent George had ever faced.  Jason and George took time, did the research, developed a plan, and trained to it. While the result looked like many of George’s other fights, the Devil is in the details.  Lile is a dominant finisher, with only one decision in 11 fights.  Give him an opening, and you’re done for the evening.  He is also 6 inches taller and has a 5 inch reach advantage.  The fight plan was solid, and George executed it perfectly.  George admitted to being nervous in front of a hometown crowd.  How could you not be with several hundred people wearing shirts with your nickname on them, chanting ‘Bonesaw’, and carrying carnival cutouts of your face on sticks?  But the nerves went when the bell rang, and George did what George does.

When you see George around the Academy, be sure to congratulate him on another dominant win.  

GriffonRawl wants to thank The Happy Moose for their long support of George Comer and GriffonRawl, and particularly wants to thank Intimidation Clothing for introducing the new Bonesaw t-shirt at the event. From the number of people wearing the shirts, it was a good idea.

Bonesaw shirts are available HERE

George Comer vs Joe Lile full fight in HD

Quick Results from CFC 3

Main Event

- Chris Curtis Defeated Tiawan Howard Rd.2 Via submission (Catchweight 180)

Co-Main Event

- George Comer defeated Joe Lile, Jr. via decision (lightweight)

AMATEUR CARD

- Tony DiPiero defeated Michael Schimek via decision (185 Middleweight)

- Easton Johnson defeated  George Murphy via TKO ref stoppage Round 2 (145 Featherweight)
- Todd Liberati defeated Andrew Morrow  via decision (165 catchweight)
- Cristian Carreras defeated Joey Anderson via KO round 2 (Hvy)
- Anthony Scalina defeated Harrison Watkins via decision (160 lb catchweight)

Many thanks to Mike Wrobel for permission to use his photographs of the event.  Please visit this talented photographers site: Shoot It MMA

Written by: Bob Donaghy

Pereira Seminar a Success!

Successful seminars keep rolling out at GriffonRawl.  The latest was the Jorge Pereira BJJ seminar on Saturday, June 6.  It's rare to have someone the level of Jorge Pereira deliver a seminar, and we have Tony Reel to thank for it.  Tony trained under Master Pereira while on vacation in Miami.  Inspired by the training he spoke to Jason Dent about bringing him to GR. It was a 30 second decision.

The seminar had the good (bad?) luck of falling on one of the best days this summer.  You might expect a poor turnout with so few fine beach days available here, but in spite of the amazing weather 14 students showed for two hours of gi training and 11 for the following two hours of no gi.

The first session started at 11:30.  The size of the group allowed for plenty of personal attention and close observation of the techniques covered.  Because the group included 3 black belts, 3 brown and 2 purple, much of the training was on advanced technique.

The 2 pm session, for no gi, concentrated on the application of BJJ to

mixed martial arts fighting.  A few gi only students left, to be replaced by members of the GR fight team.  Each session ended with a round of applause for Master Pereira.

GR wants to thank Tony Reel for suggesting the seminar to Jason, and Reel's Auto Sales for sponsoring the event.  The turnout was great, and the reaction of the students so positive it’s certain we will have Master Pereira up again soon.

The seminar was also sponsored by Intimidation Clothing and Defense Soap




Written by: Bob Donaghy

Ahmad Douglas at NAAFS FNF 10

Ahmad Douglas narrowly lost a tight split decision last night at Fight Night in the Flats 10.  GR’s sole representative on the card put on a great display of skill and heart but in the end the judges saw fit to award the win to the very tough Tobiaus Taylor.  Ahmad’s record goes to 3 dominating finish wins and 1 split decision loss.

Jason Dent and George Comer cornered Ahmad, and they were unanimous in praising his effort.  Both said the opening round was a tight call with both fighters testing and  trying to establish dominance, and that Ahmad used his wrestling in the second to clearly dominate the action.  Jason warned Ahmad that he thought Tobiaus was desperate, and would come out hard in the third.  Jason was right, Tobiaus charged out and really pushed the action.  He was able to get Ahmad to the ground and use some very accurate strikes to open him up.  That was enough to tilt the decision in his favor.

Ahmad has been a favorite to win NAAFS National Amateur Title because of his dominating record.  He remains in the mix because the tournament format is double elimination.  He will use the lessons from this fight and come back stronger.  Be sure to congratulate Ahmad on a terrific fight.

Written by: Bob Donaghy

Intimidation "Bonesaw" Signature Shirts

Be careful what you say, not just what you do.  Be even more careful making a joke, because a joke can dog your steps for years.  Sometimes a joke become famous on its own, and winds up on a shirt. That’s what happened to George “Bonesaw” Comer.  It isn’t widely known how George came by that awesome nickname… credit the fact that George is a movie geek, credit  Spiderman the movie, and most of all credit pro wrestler “Macho Man” Randy Savage whose scenery chewing performance as Bonesaw McGraw inspired George to adopt the ‘silliest nickname I could think of” for his first fight.  George’s grinding style of fighting suited the name, and it stuck.

But it’s a good nickname for a fighter, and it makes for some awesome artwork.  Intimidation Clothing, a long time sponsor of GR and George Comer, decided to honor George’s intimidating accomplishments in the cage with an equally intimidating shirt.

The shirt will be introduced to the public at George’s next fight, on June 21st in Mentor, OH.  Click HERE for event details.  But you really should beat the fashion curve and wear the shirt to the fights that night, Intimidation Clothing has it for sale on their website now.  Click HERE to see Bonesaw’s new shirt.

Written by: Bob Donaghy