Team GriffonRawl takes a Roadtrip to UFC 53 !

Atlantic City, New Jersy

Kind of a cross between Real world and Road RulesA number of the GriffonRawl members (Mike, Donny, Rich, Ben, Breanne, Cheyenne, and of course me) ventured to Atlantic City for UFC 53. The adventure began Friday afternoon with a LONG drive to Atlantic City. Seven people loaded up in Eddie’s Escalade for what promised to be an interesting weekend. The 8 hour drive was a bit hectic. Some rain, some traffic, a bit cramped but sure enough everyone arrived into AC at about 9pm Friday night. Friday night was an adventure at the beach. Sometime between 3-5am everyone decided to hit the shore. So off we went into the dark Atlantic. Needless to say the wake up Saturday morning was not too swift. Finally everyone got ready and we drove out to Dave Varlaros Muay Thai Gym about 40 minutes from the shore. After a two hour work out back to the board walk area to get ready for the fights. That night we headed out to the Board Walk for some gaming and the fights. To a sold out Board Walk Hall we saw some awesome fights, met some UFC vets and of course took a few pictures. Results of the show are listed below.Nick Diaz def. Koji Oishi via TKO (punches) in Round 1. David Loiseau def. Charles McCarthy via TKO (back-kick/punches) in Round 2. Nate Quarry def. Shonie Carter via TKO (punches) in Round 1. Paul Buentello def. Kevin Jordan via Submission (neck crank) in Round 1. Forrest Griffin def. Bill Mahood via Submission (rear naked choke) in Round 1. Rich Franklin def. Evan Tanner via TKO (stoppage) in Round 4 to become UFC Middleweight champion. Karo Parisyan def. Matt Serra via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28) after 3 rounds. Andrei Arlovski def. Justin Eilers via TKO (injury stoppage) in Round 1.Sunday morning we loaded but again and hit the road back to Cleveland. Made it back in lightening fast time and arrived home by 4 o’clock Sunday. Thanks to Eddie for driving and letting us crash at his home, Dave for letting us work out and teaching us some new moves, and Mike for running the gym while we could enjoy the UFC and AC.Written by:Rich Catalano