IGC 3 Results and Review

The third GriffonRawl InterGym Grappling Tournament is in the books, and it was a huge success.  While it was planned, of course, to be bigger and better than the previous two events it exceeded all expectations. 

This is the first year there was a real effort to attract teams from other gyms, and it really paid off in increased attendance and competition. Six gyms sent teams, a total of 55 competitors.  Special thanks to Strong Style, Rock Hard MMA, World Kickboxing Academy, Evolve and Rio Pro for stepping up and sending so many strong competitors.  They made the day shine.  And all those competitors brought friends and family to cheer them on.  The gym parking lot was filled to capacity by 2:30, people had to get creative and were parking down by the gymnastics school.  With results like this it’s a sure bet that planning for the 4th annual IGC will begin soon.  Jason has already put out the idea of hosting smaller smoker style events during year.  Be sure to give him your feedback when you see him at the gym.

The double elimination tournament was set out on two mats to determine 7 weightclass champions.  GR fielded nearly 20 competitors from its membership, of them, George Comer, Joe Callari, Josh Zivic, Steve Hetzel, Dan Ramiaciatto and Nikilai Gionti finished in the top two of their respective weightclasses.  Details are below.

GR Team: George Comer 1 @ 170, Jeff Offak 1 @ 135,  Joe Callari 2 @ 185, Josh Zivcic 2 @ 155, Steve Hetzel 2 @ 145 behind Isaiah Chapman  Dan Ramiaciatto 1st @185 something like 20 GR members competed.  Nikilai Gionti 2nd @ 135 trained GR for months and is now away at college.


Participating Gyms
StrongStyle - Marcus Marinelli
Rock Hard MMA - Brain Walsh
World Kickboxing Academy - Ryan Madigan
Evolve - John Cook
Rio Pro - Mike Riedel


Division Results
135:1st: Jeff Offak, 2nd: Nikilai Gionti
145:  1st: Isaiah Chapman, 2nd: Steve Hetzel
155: 1st: AJ Bondurant, 2nd: Josh Zivcic
170: 1st: George Comer, 2nd: Jeffrey Butkovich
185: 1st: Daniel Ramacciato, 2nd: Joe Callari
205: 1st: Josh Lasiich (Action Automotive Most Submissions prize), 2nd: Rusty Lockhart
265: 1st: William Harmon, 2nd: Rodney Wells

Special thanks to our tournament sponsors:

Written by: Bob Donaghy 

Pros Pick Hendricks vs St. Pierre

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:

Georges St. Pierre has held sway over the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s welterweight division for more than five years.

St. Pierre will defend his title against the once-beaten Johny Hendricks in the UFC 167 main event on Saturday at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. The 32-year-old champion will enter the Octagon on a career-best 11-fight winning streak, having already established himself as the greatest welterweight in UFC history in the minds of many.

Sherdog.com touched base with a number of professional fighters and trainers to gauge their opinions on the UFC 167 headliner: 

Jason Dent: Pulling for GSP to retain his title yet again. I believe GSP is more well-rounded and a smarter, more technical fighter than Hendricks. Even if Hendricks keeps GSP standing, I still think GSP can pick him apart with this being a five-round fight.

The rest of the article is HERE

Adapted by: Bob Donaghy

George Comer Elevated to Head Coach for MMA

 As GriffonRawl grows, it becomes necessary from time to time to make changes to the gym operations.  With all the different hats Jason wears it becomes impossible to do an effective job without spreading out some of the work.  So, starting immediately, George Comer will take over daily operations for the MMA program.  George's background as a certified trainer, and his great success in both Amateur and Pro MMA fights, make him eminently qualified for this new role.  This doesn't mean that Jason will be walking away entirely, he will still be teaching some of the classes. He will also be available for doing privates, and as always to corner, train, and mentor fighters. As the gym grows, more positions will open up, and Jason will always try to promote from within.  Gym members will always have the edge in the coaching positions at GriffonRawl.

It isn't generally known, but when George came to GriffonRawl five years ago he had no intention of fighting; he was attracted first by the conditioning classes (and by the one month free offer).  He was with the gym for several months before being tempted to even try the fight classes, but it was instant
love and he was hooked.  It didn't take long for Jason to recognize raw talent, and George saw his first Amateur action on 9/5/2008.  Two years and a 9 fight unbeaten streak later, George collected titles in two weight classes and two promotions and earned the right to go Pro.  George now holds a 3-1 pro record and is one of the highest regarded lightweights in the country.  The single biggest impediment to his career at the moment is finding him qualified willing fight opponents.  All of which is good news for the GriffonRawl MMA program.  In George Comer we have a smooth continuation of the excellent training Jason provided, though with his own flavor.  George is justly famous for his wrestling based strong top game, Jason is better known for a near invulnerable bottom defense based on BJJ.  On the face of it, their styles couldn't be  more different, but having both available to teach pros at the gym gives a balance to the the MMA program that other gyms can't match.

 When you see George be sure to congratulate him on his new position, then go sign up for MMA.

Written by: Bob Donaghy

GriffonRawl MMA Respects Wrestling!

Do you miss the competitive atmosphere of the high school wrestling room? Are you looking to get back to your old fighting weight? Do you want to take the skills you learned in wrestling and begin a new career in MMA? GriffonRawl MMA Academy NEEDS YOU! The mental and physical toughness that you developed on the wrestling mat is the solid foundation needed to compete in MMA.

GriffonRawl MMA Academy, located in Mentor, is kicking off the wrestling season with a free offer for ex-wrestlers looking to take their wrestling skills into the MMA world. During the month of November, Jason Dent and the GriffonRawl MMA Academy, are offering ex-wrestlers a chance to see if MMA is for them! Jason Dent, owner of GriffonRawl, who trained under Legendary Wrestler/ UFC Star Dan Henderson on Season 9 of the Ultimate Fighter is offering a free intro class and free MMA for the rest of November to ex-wrestlers in the Greater Cleveland area. Bring your cauliflower ear and your old wrestling shoes to 6090 Pinecone Drive in Mentor, Ohio to see if you have what it takes to make it in the world of Mixed Martial Arts.

Please contact Jason, Chuck or George to start your free training in the month of November at (440) 358-9371 . See the list below of former wrestlers who have trained at GriffonRawl and have taken their wrestling skills to a new level! See the link below for contact information and to learn more about this FREE MMA offer right here in Mentor, Ohio.

Here is list of GriffonRawl's Official Fight Team Pro Fighter Page
http://www.ohio-mma.com/Programs/professionals ,
as well as the Amateur Fighter Page - http://www.ohiomma.com/Programs/amateurs

Fighter Wrestling History!

• George Comer (GR Professional Fighter) - Ledgemont High School, Mount Union-Freshman of the year-team captain.
• AJ Carl - Mentor-state qualifier
• Chuck Schilling - Mentor
• Jim Payne - Perry High School, 3 years at Baldwin Wallace
• Matt Hopkins - Madison
• Miguel Defina - Geneva, Lakeland CC Wrestling Club.
• Thomas Salvatore - Madison
• Daniel Ramacciato - 2 years St. Ignatius, 2 years at St. Joes
• Alex Frenk - Brush
• Cody Lewis - 3 years Ravenna Southeast, 1 year Grand Valley
• Ahmad Douglas - 1 year Riverside
• Paul Compton (GR Professional Fighter) - Madison-state qualifier, Heidelberg college
• Donny Walker (GR Professional Fighter) - 1 year Ledgemont, 1 year in the Army
• Brad Buckovics - 5th & 6th grade 
• Jason Dent (GR Professional Fighter) - 1 year Ledgemont, has traveled to Oregon to train in seminar with Legendary Wrestler/UFC Champion Randy Couture, trained under Legendary Wrestler/UFC Star Dan Henderson on Season 9 of the Ultimate Fighter.

Adapted from an original article by:  Bob  Donaghy
Original article on Mentor High Wrestling: HERE