Two Belt Promotions at GriffonRawl

Brad Bentley and Matt Vaccariello have been steadily improving their jiu-jitsu skills, and head of the Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy at Team GriffonRawl took notice. On Wednesday night after class Jeff Starr promoted Brad Bentley to the rank of Purple Belt and Matt Vaccariello to the rank of Blue Belt

Matt and Brad's hard work and dedication earned them their promotions. Consistency in training is the key to progress. Take a moment to congratulate Matt and Brad when you see them at the academy. Congratulations again, Matt and Brad

Written by:  Bob Donaghy

Four GR Grapplers Place at the Kumite Classic

Congratulations to four GR Grapplers who traveled to Pittsburgh, PA this weekend to participate in the Kumite Classic and brought back enough awards to start their own Wall of Fame.

Ryan Lose and Joe Callari closed out both Gi and No Gi in their weight class.  Jon Reeves and Cody Lewis placed in their classes as well.

Details from Joe Callari: Ryan went 4-0 in gi he won the first 3 by points then beat me in the finals at a rear naked choke, I went 3-1 in gi.  I won first by points, second by armbar, third by points then lost to Ryan in finals. Cody went 1-1 won by triangle choke then lost the next one by armbar. John went 0-2 in gi lost by points then lost by triable to Cody. In no gi Ryan went 3-1 one first by anaconda, won second by armbar, won third by points then lost to me in finals by darce choke. I went 4-0 in no gi won first by kimura, second by armbar, third by guillotine choke then beat Ryan in finals with darce choke. Cody went 2-1 won first by armbar second by armbar. lost in finals by points. Jon went 1-1 lost by triangle then one by rear naked choke.......... Ryan came in first in gi and second in no gi..... I came in second in gi and first in no gi..... Cody came in second in gi and no gi..... John came in second in no gi

Next year it would be great to send an even bigger group down, and collect some more gold!

For videos, try Joe Callari's YouTube Channel here

Written by Bob Donaghy

Dent Drops a UD in PA Show

After winning in Iowa on 4/7, Jason Dent was looking forward to a fast turn around with a 4/20 debut fight in Bellator. When his opponent withdrew within days of the event, there was no time to locate a replacement and the fight was scratched from the card.  In keeping with his resolve to keep busy in 2012, Jason quickly located an alternative.

Pure MMA, a fledgling promotion in Eastern, PA, had a show coming up in 10 days.  His opponent would be Rustam Khabilov, a complete unknown here. Some research showed Khabilov had more than just a 12-1 record, he was also the 2009 M-1 Challenge World Lightweight champ, and the World (and Russian National) Combat Sambo champion. His last MMA fight was a UD win against Rodrigo Roberio (World Lightweight BJJ champion) in Jakarta, Indonesia. What was this guy doing in a small show in Wilkes-Barre, PA? Ask his coach, Greg Jackson.

Khabilov has been a Greg Jackson special project for about 6 months. In that time he's fought and won three times. This was his US debut and Jason Dent was his first outing against a UFC vet.  Like most Greg Jackson game plans, it went well.

Jason came out fast and pushed the pace hard in all three rounds, but his pressure was met with precise strikes and Sambo trips. All three rounds went to the ground quickly and ended with Jason on the bottom defending strikes. The judges saw it as a Unanimous Decision for Khabilov.

Written by: Bob Donaghy

Matt Porter Makes Blue Belt

At the begining of class tonight GR Black Belt Jiu-Jitsu Instructor Jeff Star's students had the pleasure of watching a well earned Blue Belt awarded to Matt Porter. Congratulations Matt on your hard work and achievement. This shows the benefit of attending classes on a regular basis.

Make sure the next time you see Matt you congratulate him on his accomplishment. Anyone else looking to obtain rank should attend classes consistently and stick around to free roll when you can. Getting ranked requires you to be training and rolling in a gi during classes. Jeff looks at your skill but also your attendance. The more time you put on the mat the better you will get.

Written by: Bob Donaghy