Pros Pick Aldo vs Mendes II

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:

No current Ultimate Fighting Championship titleholder has held promotional gold longer than Jose Aldo, who will have reigned over the UFC’s featherweight division for more than 1,400 days by the time he next enters the cage.

Aldo will defend the 145-pound crown against Team Alpha Male’s Chad Mendes in the UFC 179 main event on Saturday at Maracanazinho Gymnasium in Rio de Janeiro. The world’s top two featherweights met once previously, as Aldo knocked out “Money” with a first-round knee strike at UFC 142 in January 2012.

Sherdog.com touched base with a number of professional fighters and trainers to gauge their opinions on the UFC 179 headliner:

Jason Dent: I have to go with Aldo to win again in this rematch. I know Team Alpha Male has been on fire of late, but Jose is a finisher. While Mendes may get a few good rounds in, I think a 25-minute title fight works against him here. Jose will win this fight by cut, TKO or KO. I just don’t see it going the distance.

For the rest of the article click HERE

Adapted by: Bob Donaghy

Sutton and Porter Advance in Belt Ranking

As of last Monday, add two more names to the ranks of GR produced belt promotions.  Congratulations to Matt Porter on achieving Purple Belt, and William  Sutton for reaching Blue Belt status.

Matt Porter started BJJ training under Jeff Starr at GR in May of 2011.  BJJ was his sole focus. Just a year later he was awarded his Blue Belt (May 2, 2012).  He also competed in the first and second IGCs and once, last year, in the Columbus AGC. He plans to make use of his advanced standing to compete more in 2015.

William Sutton started BJJ at GR as well, putting his Gi on for the first time on New Years Day 2014.  It should be said that making Blue Belt in only 10 months shows both unusual aptitude and dedication to training.  That he’s managed this progress while also taking MMA classes, competing in outside tournaments and even his first cage fight is even more impressive.  Maybe the cross training accelerated his progress towards his Blue Belt.

Be sure to congratulate Matt and Bill when you see them around the Academy, and don’t forget to congratulate Jeff on two more home grown talents.

Written by: Bob Donaghy

Vanyo Smoker Opens Fall Fighting Season

Matt Perez, Masda Diaz, Kaylee Maynard, & Rob Rizer

Vanyo Martial Arts Fall Smoker went off without a hitch Friday night.  A packed gym of enthusiastic fight fans cheered on every fighter like they were their hometown favorite.  GR sent four fighters, Matt Perez, Masda Diaz, Kaylee Maynard, & Rob Rizer, and an even bigger support group than last time.  Six gyms sent teams, with a wide range of experience.  Some fighters had only a few months of training, some had many years.   But a smoker is all about the experience.  The idea is to give fighters a chance to compete in an unfamiliar environment, against people they do not normally train with, but without the pressure of knowing the results will follow them forever on their official fight record.

Every GR fighter went the distance, and every fight was back and forth and competitive.  Given the wide range of experience in the fighters Mark Vanyo must be applauded for arranging matchups that were so successful

Since these aren’t official fights, the organizing gym has the latitude to run some parts of the event  there own way.  Vanyo chose to assign two judges to score the fights in terms of ‘performance points’.  The judgement wasn’t to determine who won or lost the fight, but considered the quality of the technique along with how effective a strike was.  At the end of each fight the judges issues a score from 1 to 4 for each fighter.

The GR Smoker Team is grateful for Vanyo Martial Arts for once again offering us the opportunity to compete at their Fall Smoker.  We look forward eagerly to the next event.

Vanyo’s Martial Arts website is HERE            

Written by: Bob Donaghy

Dan Wojick Promoted to Purple Belt

Wednesday, Oct 8th GR added another name to the list of members achieving purple belt in BJJ.  Congratulations Dan Wojick.

Dan is a home grown talent.  Starting at GR late in 2011, initially in the no-gi program under Jason, George and Chuck, he soon expanded his interest in BJJ to include the formal classes with Jeff Starr.

Just to note the time, he went from white belt to purple belt in a little under three years.  That’s very fast progress in a tough program.   While doing that Dan trained in the Boxing and MMA programs and found time to compete in the IGC’s.  Be sure to congratulate Dan next time you see him around the academy.

Written: Bob Donaghy

Second Pererira Seminar Sells Out

Saturday, October 4th marked the second Jorge Pereira seminar at GR.  It was another big success, with the main room mat filled to near capacity for both sessions.  In one important change from the first seminar, Jason elected to keep the gym open for regular classes during the seminar.  It worked out well.  The boxing class moved into the cage room, and the kid’s mma class occupied the small mat.  It did make for a very busy gym, and Jacob Sievers deserves kudos for keeping the circus running while Jason was on the mats with Professor Pereira.

Jorge  Pereira is a Coral Belt under Rickson Gracie (7th Degree Black Belts become Coral after 30 years).  He is Head Instructor at RioHero in Miami where Tony Reel trained while on vacation last Summer.   Tony was so taken with Professor Pereira's instruction that when he returned to GR, he convinced Jason to bring the professor North for a seminar.  Tony said, "It’s rare to have a chance to roll with someone as well rounded and experienced as Jorge Pereira.  When I found out it was possible to have him instruct at GR, I knew it had to make it happen.”

Was Joe Rogan there?

That was in June; it went so well that Jason resolved immediately to get  the professor back again as soon as possible.   Which brings us to last Saturday.

12.30 saw the start of the gi only seminar. Event sponsor Tony Reel had the honor of being Professor Pereira's go to demonstration partner.  It was two hours of detailed instruction on new technique and subtle changes to techniques we thought we understood to make them better.


The first session ended at 2:30, after 30 minute break, the session on no-gi technique started.  With only a few changes in participants, the no-gi group was slightly larger.  There was no sign that the two hours of gi work had diminished anyone’s enthusiasm for rolling.  No-gi went to 5 pm.

Jason had this to say after the seminar:  “It was a pleasure having Jorge back to GR as he is not only a Coral Belt under LEGENDARY Rickson Gracie but also a seasoned MMA Pro as well. I was really pleased with the turnout. Though is was disappointing  only four of our official Team Fighters took advantage of this opportunity to train with the very best.”

For more on Jorge Pereira click HERE    
For more on RioHero click HERE    

Thanks to Reel's Auto for again stepping up and sponsoring this event!

Written by: Bob Donaghy

NAAFS Rock 'n Rumble 8 is in the Books

 Saturday night saw the 8th edition of NAAFS end of Summer spectacular: Rock n Rumble.   Due to a scheduling conflict the event was delayed a month, and moved from its traditional venue in the Flats to Canton Civic Arena.  Next year, Rock n Rumble will return to Cleveland.

As usual for this event it was a stacked card.  Sixteen fights in all, with pro fighters brought in from other states to fill the top of the card and many special guests.  It’s a tribute to the quality of our home grown talent the many of the guests (UFC stars Stipe Miocic and Jessica Eye), are actually local, and the main event, Cody Steven v Frank Caraballo, featured two local fighters.

What was not usual, was that Ahmad Douglas was GriffonRawl’s sole representative on the card.  Normally we have a least three, but moving the event a month made for irreconcilable conflict with the schedules of the fighters we had lined up.   Rather than see GR completely absent from the biggest NAAFS event of the year for the first time, Ahmad Douglas stepped up on relatively short notice to fill the gap.  Ahmad’s fight was a semi-final in the NAAFS Flyweight Amatuer National Tournament.  The winner will fight for the belt in December.

Unfortunately, Saturday was not Ahmad’s night.  He fought a tough, grinding fight against a wrestling specialist in undefeated Adli Edwards from Ronin Fight Team.  Ahmad demonstrated the superior striking skills, but often had to fight moving backward to stymie Edwards’ relentless takedown attempts.  Ahmad was successful in doing damage, but in the end the judges saw Edwards’ efforts as deserving the unanimous decision win.

Ahmad Douglas told his coach and corner George the loss does not discourage him, but will fuel his fire for additional training.  He finished by saying to George,  “I'll see you Tuesday at practice”.

George Comer said while he was disappointed with the loss, he  is not disappointed in his young student.  “Ahmad  is only 19 years old and was in the semi finals for the NAAFS amateur title which is nearly 7 years younger than I  was when I competed.  Ahmad’s  got a ton of potential.”

Ahmad will be fighting again sooner rather than later.  Be sure to congratulate him on his gritty effort when you see him on Tuesday.

Main Card Results

• Frank Caraballo def Cody Stevens  by UD
• Cody 'No Love' Garbrandt def Charles 'The Trinity' Stanford byTKO round 1 @ 1:37
• John 'Big' Hawk def Bobby 'Zombie' Brents by DQ (Groin Strike) round 3  @ 3:07
• Matt 'The Cat' DiMarcantonio def Wesley 'Wild Wild' Hanson by UD
• Eric Bledsoe def Ronald 'R.J.' Buck by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) round 1 @ 3:36
• Jeff 'Lights Out' Hughes def Devon Wilson by Submission (Guillotine Choke) round 1 @ 3:52

Special thanks to Mike Wrobel of ShootitMMA.com for getting these pictures to us ahead of his own publication date.

Written by: Bob Donaghy

Ch-Ch-Ch-Changes at GriffonRawl

Some of you may have noticed that a few of the classes have been ‘over-staffed’ recently.  Specifically that GR Judo ace Mike Lachina has been tag teaming with Chuck Schilling in Chuck’s classes.  And some of you may have heard some rumors, well, one of them is true.  Chuck Schilling is moving on, at least as an instructor.  Starting October 1st, Mike Lachina will take over for Chuck in the Kids MMA on Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 to 6:15 as well as Adult MMA every Tuesday as George Comers assistant and every Saturdays Junior MMA from 11am to 12.

Chuck is not leaving GR, he will still train with us, but he’s stepping back from all official duties.  His departure is not sudden, it’s the result of his working towards a dream job. Aside from being an all around  badass on the mat and in the cage, Chuck is also a gifted musician.  Starting next month Chuck will be recording with The Vic Harris Band and he will tour with the band next Summer.  If you want to know more about The Vic Harris Band, there's a link to their site below.

GR Judo Black Belt/Coaches
Ron Russo & Mike Lachina

Mike Lachina comes in with very impressive credentials.  He is a Black Belt in Kodokan Judo and has more than 10 years experience coaching.  And Mike is a superior coach,  just ask one of his students - Chuck Schilling.  “I've had a great time coaching at GR, all the students and instructors have been awesome. I'm looking forward to coming back to the role of student again, it's been a while. Michael will do a great job with the classes, he's always been one of my favorite instructors and I've learned a ton from him through the years.”

So, no suprises on the 1st, when you come to class and find Mike in charge and perhaps Chuck in the lineup with you.  At least be sure to congratulate Chuck on chasing his dreams.

The Vic Harris Band  performs original modern country music!  We will get your blood pumping and take you on a live musical roller coaster ride! That’s why we were awarded “BEST OF CLEVELAND”  by CLEVELAND MAGAZINE!

Written by: Bob Donaghy

Welcome Two More Warriors to the Team!

Wednesday night, Sept 17, Jason Dent had the all too rare pleasure of inducting a new member to the fight team, and this time not  one, but two fighters had made the cut.  Kevin McCallion and Nikolai Gionti won their fights at the Sept 6th Explosive  Fight Promotions show in Ridgewood, OH fulfilling the requirements for team membership.

This was Kevin’s second cage fight, but his first under the GR banner.  He won by utter domination and GnP in the firts round.

Nikolai had to overcome some seriously bad luck with opponents backing out at the last moment, but the 4th time was the charm and his man stood his ground (only to lose by RNC in the 3rd round), and Nickolai has finally had his name added to the fighter roster.

Unlike many MMA gyms, membership on the GR fight team is not granted by simply keeping up with membership dues, you not only have to fight your right to try out, but but win in the cage as well.  Be sure to congratulate Kevin and Nikolai when you see them around the academy on their accomplishment.

Written by: Bob Donaghy

GR Rumbles to Wins at Ridgewood

A good number of the GR family made the near two hour drive to Ridgewood HS, and those that did were rewarded with a well organized and run all amateur event.  They also were treated to three GR warriors making their cage debut for the academy.  All three faced men with more experience.  Jason felt it was necessary to take the chance of such unequal matchups because we’ve had some bad luck this year with opponents backing out at literally the last minute.  The gamble paid off: all three fights happened, and two out of the three went in our favor.

Kevin McCallion was up first for GR against Tyler Cavalear (145)  McCallion opened aggressively, landing several good shots, his opponent covered up and McCallion took the opening to move in for a takedown, gets full mount and opens up with hard punches. Cavalear verbally taps moments later.

William Sutton fought Criston Williams (205).  It was described as a real dogfight.  Very competitive.  Advantage was traded back and forth several times in each round, and the fight nearly went the distance.  Scott Corbin has to be congratulated on good matchmaking. Sutton was caught in a Rear Naked Choke midway through round 3.  Jason says he will be placed in another fight sooner rather than later as he is ready for the cage.

Nikolai Gionti vs Aaron Woods (135) finished the evening on a strong note for GR.  Woods has 3 fights to NG’s 0.  Nick dominated the stand up, but Woods is very tough and athletic.  Nick  ran through a textbook of submissions and Wood would not tap.   He kept escaping and dumping Nick in spectacular throws, Nick would spin through to place another submission, or try a submission from the bottom, every time Wood would escape and stand again.  In round 3 Nick had top position, instead of going directly to submission, decided to Ground and Pound, Wood turned and gave his back and Nick sinks the Rear Naked Choke for the win.

These three GR youngbloods are proof that you don’t have to wait for the academy pros to be matched up to make a drive to see exciting fights.  Expect to see Kevin and Nick inducted to the GR Fight Team this week - but don’t forget you have to be at the academy to see it happen.

Our thanks to Explosive Fight Promotions for inviting us to compete, every event has been better than the last and we look forward to fighting on more cards soon.  Special thanks to Scott Corbin, the EFP matchmaker, for his perseverance in getting these matchups done.  And finally thanks to Mike Wrobel for letting us use his images in this article.

Written by: Bob Donaghy

Gionti Wins by Intimidation Choke at Caged Madness

Caged Madness was, by all accounts, a very successful event.  Well attended, well run, professional job by all - except one person.  GR’s Nikolai Gionti was left standing at the threshold of fighting once again.  This time his opponent had the stones to at least make the venue, weigh in, and show up to fight.   But as his entrance music played he was seen exiting the building, leaving Nick standing in the cage.  They say a win is a win, but this can’t feel good.  Nick had this to say on his Facebook page.

Warming up

Well, I can't make this up. We weighed in and he was heavy. I agreed to fight him at 139 lbs. It took me being fully dressed and stuffed with items in my pockets in order to get that heavy. We got back to the venue and he was there. We both showed up to the fighter meeting and I got fully wrapped. Our fight was announced and his entrance music played, but he didn't show up. We waited through his entire song for him to come, but he never did. Instead he was out in the parking lot refusing to fight. I like to respect my opponent, but this is absurd. Steve Paugh should never be allowed to fight again in any commission in any state. That is all. I'll be back and hopefully I'll have an opponent.

Nick is one of the hardest training of the new blood in the gym.  He’s earned and deserves his shot at being a full team member.  Jason will move quickly to find him another fight.

Written by: Bob Donaghy