Team Training Day at GR Academy

Mentor, Ohio
GriffonRawl MMA Academy

A team challenge? Well, not quite…On Sunday, January 27, 2008 Team Griffon-Rawl hosted an open gym with members of Team DNA, Wreckroom Athletics and Team Playland in attendance. The day started a little awkward with guys stretching and keeping to their roots until a few started rolling. The purpose of the day quickly took hold as fighters from different teams partnered with each other for free rolling and frequently changed partners. Egos were checked at the door and everyone grappled hard but with control. Eventually fighters turned their attention to the boxing ring for Muay Thai sparring rounds and finally to the cage for controlled MMA sparring. It was great to see guys who’ve faced each other in the cage and members from “rival” camps helping the other prepare for their next fight, sharing techniques and offering strategies. Dan Swift and Donny Walker come immediately to mind. It was fun to watch champions roll around (Paul Compton & Cody Stevens), professionals spar (Jason Dent & Dominic Qurazzo) and the established help the up and comers (Joe Lewis & Tom Lutz).All told, it was a great day of training with new and old friends coming together. Thanks to all who attended from Team DNA (Dan Swift), Wreckroom Athletics (Matt Trukovich, Cody Stevens, Joe Lewis, Mitch Whitesel, Seth Cole, Brian Lewis), Team Playland (Dominic Qurazzo, Dan Jones) and Team Griffon-Rawl (Jason Dent, Donny Walker, Jeff Starr, Tony Groys, Jim Payne, Dan Farnsworth, John Strmac, Tom Lutz, Paul Compton, Adam Sadny, Kevin Doyle, Nick Kilian, Jordan Smith, Chuck Schilling, Matt Hopkins, Dominic McGhee, Chad Mullins, Miguel Defina). If anyone was forgotten, our apologies…there was a lot of fighters present.We hope to see everyone again soon and best of luck to those competing in the future.Written by:John StrmacPictures by:Tim Payne

NAAFS "Northcoast Showdown II"

Euclid, Ohio
Euclid Sports Plant

On Saturday, January 19, 2008 the NAAFS kicked off its 2008 promotion in Euclid, Ohio at the Euclid Sports Plant. Although the weather outside was snowy and the temperature well below freezing, inside the arena the action was hot and heavy from start to finish. Team Griffon-Rawl sent five veterans into action on Saturday. What follows is a recap of Griffon-Rawl participants.Jim Payne (2-0) led off the Griffon-Rawl charge, taking on a tough and well-rounded Mickey Hughes (2-1) from Team Bloody Buddy. After a brief exchange of hands, the two tied up with each looking for a takedown. Jim went in, but Mickey was able to reverse and land a hip toss that put Jim on his back with Mickey in side control. Jim stayed safe and calm, looking to improve his position. After jockeying for position against the cage, a scramble ensued and Mickey was able to sink in his hooks and looked for a rear naked choke. Jim defended well, but Mickey was able to sink his arm in the extra inch he needed, forcing Jim to tap near the end of round one. Look for Jim to be back better than ever very soon!John Strmac (2-2) was next up facing heavy handed Charles Cooper III (2-1) from Team Predator. John looked for the takedown early but was unable to keep position on the ground where Charles unleashed a flurry of strikes, landing hard right hands throughout most of the first round. Round two went better for John who was able to get a series of takedowns but had trouble advancing his position while Charles continued the ground and pound from different angles. John landed a solid leg kick followed by a takedown to the mount to begin round three. Charles tied him up and reversed position putting himself in the guard and as he attempted another hard right. John was able to get a triangle choke position and kept jockeying to tighten the hold. Charles picked him up and slammed him but it only sunk the choke in deeper. Charles continued to look for an escape but was forced to tap at 2:15 of the final round. (This portion written by Jason Dent.)Tony “The Killer” Wolf (3-1) recently teamed up with Griffon-Rawl to take on a very tough Joey “The Hitman” Holt (2-1) from Baileys MMA. Tony looked excellent on his feet taking the fight to Joey and getting the better of the standup, landing solid combinations. Seeing an opportunity, Tony shot in and landed a nice takedown but found himself deep inside a guillotine choke where Joey reared back and forced Tony to tap at 0:58 seconds through the first round. Everyone at Griffon-Rawl is happy Tony will be training here and look for him to keep improving in all areas.The final Griffon-Rawl amateur was Nick Killian (2-0), taking on Steve Zornes (2-0) from Team JAD. Steve closed in quick to take down Nick and the fight went quickly to a fight for position showcasing both men’s takedown skills and defenses. Steve again went in for a single leg where Nick landed a wicked upper cut that sent Steve’s eyes rolling into the back of his head. As Steve landed he gathered himself and attempted a leg lock, but Nick was landing too many precise shots from a dominate position, forcing the referee to call a stop to the contest at 1:27 of the very first round. Both fighters showed great class at the end of the contest. Look for both to rise in the NAAFS rankings.AJ Pulling (6-3) said good-bye to the amateur ranks and made his professional debut against “Truckin” Chad Trukovich (3-4) from Wreckroom Athletics. Both men were feeling each other out to start round one when AJ seized an opportunity to hit a nice takedown and move to a solid side position. Never one to relax, AJ moved quickly until he found Chad’s back and sunk in his hooks very deep where he could begin striking at will. He landed a number of solid shots forcing Chad to tap to strikes at 2:05 of the very first round. Overall Team Griffon-Rawl had a solid showing. The NAAFS, teamed with Sports Time Ohio television, is perhaps the biggest MMA shows in the Midwest. The team fared well to start 2008, posting a 3-2 record. Look for the return of the above fighters as well as more Griffon-Rawl warriors to enter NAAFS and other shows this year. Thanks for all who braved the weather and supported Team Griffon-Rawl!Written by:John StrmacComplete Results:Professional Results:205 lbs - John “The Bullet” Fields 5-2 (Team Instigator) over Jason “Freebird” Freeman 7-3 (Vander Fighting) by Tapout from Strikes @ :32 of Rd 1SHW - "The Irish Hitman" Bobby Favors 4-5 (Team Playland) over Justin "Give me your Lunch Money" Wade 6-3 (Team Truth) by TKO @ 2:07 of Rd 1140 lbs - Danny “Lil Thunder” Balon 11-4 (Team DNA) over “Small” Paul Martin 13-4 (Team Out Cold) by Rear Naked Choke @ 3:48 of Rd 2170 lbs - AJ Pulling 7-3 (Team GriffonRawl) over "Truckin" Chad Trukovich 3-5 (Wreckroom Athletics) by Verbal Submission from Strikes @ 2:05 of Rd 1Amateur:145 lbs - Mike Nesto 7-3 (Schrader's MMA) over Eric Noel 5-2 (Team Next Level) by Split Decision 145 lbs - John Strmac 3-2 (Team GriffonRawl) over Charles Cooper 2-2 (Team Predator) by Triangle Choke @ 2:15 of Rd 3185 lbs - Nick Kilian 3-0 (Team GriffonRawl) over Steve Zornes 2-1 (Team JAD) by TKO @ 1:27 of Rd 1185 lbs - Mickey Hughes 3-1 (Team Bloody Buddy) over Jim Payne 2-2 (Team GriffonRawl) by Rear Naked Choke @ 2:53 of Rd 1 155 lbs - Joey “The Hitman” Holt 3-1 (Baileys MMA) over Tony “The Killer” Wolf 3-2 (Team Griffonrawl) by Guillotine Choke @ :58 of Rd 1145 lbs - Anthony “The Hurricane” Hayes 4-2 (Next level) over Codean Roff 3-5 (Team KSD) by Unanimous Decision265 lbs - John Hawk 2-0 (Jungle Fight Team) over Jarred Carle 2-3 (Team Explosion) by Rear Naked Choke @ 1:08 of Rd 1185 lbs - Sean Paul Veilleux 1-0 (Jungle Fight Team) over "Heavy Hands" Chad Heilman 0-1 (Independent) by Arm Bar @ :58 of Rd 1145 lbs - Doug Kulbis 2-0 (Team JAD) over Jack “The Ripper” Mardis 2-2 (Team Constriction) by Unanimous Decision170 lbs - Scott Burr 3-2 (Team KSD) over Dan Cain 1-2 (Team Constriction) by TKO @ 1:56 of Rd 1145 lbs – Josh "Kiss of Death" Kissinger 1-0 (Instigator Fight team) over Jerry “The Bear” Barrick 1-3 (Vander Fighting) by Doctor Stoppage at the end of Rd 1265 lbs - "McNasty" Brandon Briggs 1-0 (Rising Dragon MMA) over Cody Rook 0-2 (Devil Dogs MMA) by Unanimous Decision

SCF "Playing for Keeps"

Elyria, Ohio
St. John Lutheran Gymnasium

On Friday, January 11, 2008 Superior Cage Fighting Promotions invaded Elyria, Ohio. Dave Osborne and Miles King were the two Griffon-Rawl warrior set to represent the team.Dave Osborne brought a heavy heart to the arena, yet was set and ready to go only to find out his opponent pulled a no-show when it came time to answer the bell, giving Dave a "walk through" victory. The Griffon-Rawl family sends their love and sympathy to Dave on the loss of his father.Miles King made his MMA debut at 205lbs taking on a very strong and intimidating Miguel Calderon. When the bell rang, Miles looked like a seasoned veteran stalking his opponent throughout the contest like a rabid dog. Miles smiled when he took a few leg kicks and prevented a takedown attempt with a solid sprawl. Miles landed beautiful combinations and kicks and hit a nasty upper-cut with Miguel against the cage. As Miguel hit the canvass Miles was on top of his prey unleashing a relentless ground and pound that forced the referee to call a stop to the contest. Miles got his first taste of action via a TKO victory in the very first round!Look for both Dave and Miles to be in action again soon!Written by:John Strmac