GriffonRawl Official Vehicle

You may notice a change in the GR parking lot, Jason's ubiquitous green pickup is gone, replaced by a brand new Hummer 3.  The new academy vehicle is black to match the academy colors and sports the GriffonRawl logo on the rear tire cover. 

Its main purpose is to be transportation for the coaches, cornermen and fighters to and from events, but it certainly does a good job of standing out around town and letting the general public know that GriffonRawl is here and growing.

Written by: Bob Donaghy

Paul Rehbergar Belt Promotion

Paul Rehbergar has been steadily improving his jiu-jitsu; last Monday GR Head Jiu-Jitsu instructor Jeff Starr proudly added yet another stripe to Paul's rank.  Congratulations Paul on your third stripe!

Paul has showed the skill, the attitude, and has been taking private lessons on a regular basis. Make sure the next time you see him you congratulate him on his accomplishment.  Making rank means making sure you attend classes consistently and sticking around to free roll after classes 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. Obviously the more time you put on the mat the better you will get.

We've already updated the Wall of Rank (picture), check out the wall next time you're at GR

Written by Bob Donaghy

Aaron Veverka Invited to TBA Elite Camp

For the 7^th year in a row our Muay Thai instructor, Aaron Veverka (aka 'Juice'), has been invited to participate in the Thai Boxing Association's Pacific Northwest Muay Thai camp.

An annual event, tt's by invitation only and will be held in the mountains of Oregon, at camp Wilkerson from June 27^th to July 1^st.

It's international with people coming in from various countries, normally around 200 people from all over, Mexico, the UK, Barbados, Canada.

Aaron is allowed to bring students. George Comer has decided his game would benefit from exposure to the best of the best in Muay Thai and will make the trip West.

Camp trips like this benefit the entire academy, Aaron and George will bring back new techniques and a refreshed approach to MT training.

Useful links

Thai Boxing Association site

2011 camp review

2012 Camp Detail

Map to the Camp

View Larger Map

Written by: Bob Donaghy

Morning MMA is Back at GriffonRawl!

Due to popular demand we're starting up Morning MMA again!  Some important changes: 

• Start date: July 9, 2012
• Class Days: Monday and Wednesday
• Start time: 10 am - please plan to arrive 15 minutes early
• Instructor: George 'Bonesaw' Comer - 2x NAAFS National Champion

Classes will also occasionally be taught by Judo Black Belt Mike Lachina and 4X UFC vet Jason Dent as his schedule permits.

Written by Bob Donaghy

Jason Dent on Sherdog Pros Pick: UFC 147 Silva vs. Franklin 2

Sherdog has a recurring article in which they poll professional fighters on upcoming events.  GR's Jason Dent is a frequent contributor. 


Edited From Sherdog:

A once-magnificent bomber who used to instill fear opponents like no other, Silva was viewed as a spent force, a shell of the man who for years dominated the Pride Fighting Championships promotion in Japan. “The Axe Murder” has fought only three times since, sandwiching victories over “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 3 winner Michael Bisping and former Strikeforce champion Cung Le around a 27-second knockout defeat to Chris Leben.

Franklin has enjoyed a terrific career in his own right but never seemed to fully recover from the beatings he sustained in two ill-fated encounters with middleweight king Anderson Silva. Now 37, the man they call “Ace” has not competed since he dropped a unanimous decision to Forrest Griffin 16 months ago, as shoulder surgery has kept him away from the Octagon for an extended period....


Jason Dent: I believe Rich will pull it off. Wanderlei fights a little too wild these days, whereas Rich seems to fight with a good game plan every time. I love watching Rich fight and all, but I’m super bummed that Vitor got hurt because I really wanted to see that rematch.
 
Link to the rest of the article on Sherdog


Written by: Bob Donaghy

GriffonRawl Goes to NAGA

GriffonRawl sent eight members to Columbus for the North American Grappling Association tournament. Congrats to Tony Reel, Sammy Callari, Toni Disantis, Cody Lewis, & John Reeves on all placing. HARD WORK - PAYS OFF!!!

Also hats off to Joe Callari, Ryan Barnard, & Matt Vacarrelio for putting it on the line. Win or lose the whole team benefits from all of you competing and coming back more experienced and seasoned.

Placing

• Tony Reel: second for Gi (189lbs. Brown belt).
• Cody Lewis: second in NoGi (149lbs. Intermediate).
• Tony Disantis: first in NoGi and first in Gi (169lbs. Intermediate & Blue belt).
• John Reeves: second for NoGi & first for Gi (139lbs. Novice & White belt).
• Sammy Callari: second for NoGi and third for Gi (159lbs. Beginner & White belt). 

Written by: Bob Donaghy

Three More BJJ Belt Promotions

Team GriffonRawl and its Jiu-Jitsu program is pleased to announce that after class on Thursday, Coach Jeff Starr to a moment to recognize the hard work put  in by three GR team members with the following promotions

• Cody Lewis – Blue Belt
• Joe Callari – Blue Belt
• Anthony DiSantis – Blue Belt

Cody, Joe and Anthony have been consistent in showing up to class and have been working hard on the mat, and free-rolling in a constant effort to improve their skills.

If you get a chance, take a moment to congratulate them on their hard work and achievement.  Belt promotions are the direct result of showing up and doing the work.

Written by: Bob Donaghy

George Comer Wins at Fight Night in the Flats 8

While it was disappointing that a medical review forced Jason Dent off the card FNF8, George Comer's return to the cage more than made up for it. Facing the very talented and tough Kama Worthy, George turned it up loud for his fans and delivered what may have been his best performance yet.

Worthy was billed as a talented and aggressive striker with strong takedown defense. In a series of interviews before the event, he made it clear that he was not particularly concerned with 'another wrestler', and that he'd 'already fought this fight'. And he wasn't far wrong. With a height and reach advantage he found it easy to keep George at a distance midcage, and several takedown attempts launched from way out went nowhere. It was only when Comer changed his attack, taking the center of the cage, relentlessly pushing the pace, shooting and cutting angles to force Worthy into a shrinking pocket, that he started making progress.

Round two was similar, except the blueprint from round one went faster and the fight was on the ground in about a minute. Then it was time to solve the puzzle of finishing it. At 3:50 Worthy made the critical mistake that allowed George to take his back, 9 seconds later he tapped to a Rear Naked Choke.

Congratulations George.. it was a long wait to fight, but a great win!

Blow by Blow and pictures below courtesy of MixedMartial Arts Ohio

Pro Lightweight
Khama Worthy (8-2 Team PTT) vs George Comer (9-1 GriffonRawl)

RD 1: Leg kick by Comer. Leg kick by Worthy. Leg kick by Comer. Jab by Worthy. Comer shoots in and gets a takedown. Comer traps Worthy's arm behind is own back and lands head shots. Now body shots by Comer. More head shots by Comer. Worthy finally frees his arm. Comer gets side control and lands elbows to the head. Now punches to the head by Comer. Worthy almost sweeps. Body shots by Comer. Worthy gels half guard but Comer gets back to side control.
I scored RD 1: 10-9 Comer

RD 2: Jab by Worthy. Leg kick by Comer. Comer shoots and they clinch on the cage but quickly separate. Leg kick by Comer. Uppercut by Worthy. Jab by Worthy. Body kick by Comer. Comer shoots in and gets a takedown into side control. Worthy tries to wall walk but Comer brings him back down. Worthy is able to stand and they clinch against the cage. Knees to the body by Comer. Knee to the body by Worthy. Takedown by Comer. Comer gets his back and lands head shots. Comer gets a rear naked for the tap.

Written by: Bob Donaghy

Jason Dent and George Comer Added to Fight Night in the Flats 8

Jason Dent and George Comer suit up the same night for GriffonRawl to take on tough opponents at NAAFS 8^th annual Fight Night in the Flats.

Comer makes his second outing as a pro against the 2011 lightweight amateur champion, Khama Worthy (8-2) who is on a 4 fight winning streak. Those 4 fights have all been in NAAFS, surprisingly, they have no opponents in common. This will be Worthy's pro debut, and Comer's first fight since August 2011.

Jason makes his first appearance in a NAAFS cage since last June, and will take on a very dangerous striker named James Warfield (22-10). Warfield makes his NAAFS debut looking to reverse a 3 fight losing streak (all decisions) and get back in the win column going against the most accomplished opponent of his career in UFC vet in Jason Dent.  Look for Warfield to try and escape the 'decision to a loss' pattern and return to the 10 fight winning streak of KO's that opened his pro career with an aggressive first round attack.

Tickets for the event are available at GriffonRawl from either Jason or George. We encourage you to buy from them, it's an important part of how they get paid. Please support the fight team! (440-358-9371 )

For the full fight card, event time & date and maps, please see the Event listing

James Warfield v Ted Worthington

Video streaming by Ustream

Written by: Bob Donaghy