Gionti Wins by Intimidation Choke at Caged Madness

Caged Madness was, by all accounts, a very successful event.  Well attended, well run, professional job by all - except one person.  GR’s Nikolai Gionti was left standing at the threshold of fighting once again.  This time his opponent had the stones to at least make the venue, weigh in, and show up to fight.   But as his entrance music played he was seen exiting the building, leaving Nick standing in the cage.  They say a win is a win, but this can’t feel good.  Nick had this to say on his Facebook page.

Warming up

Well, I can't make this up. We weighed in and he was heavy. I agreed to fight him at 139 lbs. It took me being fully dressed and stuffed with items in my pockets in order to get that heavy. We got back to the venue and he was there. We both showed up to the fighter meeting and I got fully wrapped. Our fight was announced and his entrance music played, but he didn't show up. We waited through his entire song for him to come, but he never did. Instead he was out in the parking lot refusing to fight. I like to respect my opponent, but this is absurd. Steve Paugh should never be allowed to fight again in any commission in any state. That is all. I'll be back and hopefully I'll have an opponent.

Nick is one of the hardest training of the new blood in the gym.  He’s earned and deserves his shot at being a full team member.  Jason will move quickly to find him another fight.

Written by: Bob Donaghy

GR Team Smokes it in Stowe

WKA’s first smoker of 2014 was another well run event.  The fighters were well matched and all the fights were competitive making for a great night for everyone.  GR’s longtime friend, Ryan Madigan did a great job organizing and running the event.

While we originally had six fighters lined up to fight, only three were able to find matchups.  Jason Dent had this to say about the fights that happened:

Performance of the night of GR guys had to go to William Sutton but both Eric Pozun & Matt Perez both fought more experienced fighters and put on fantastic showings going the distance and doing some great things.

All three fighters will be back in training this week at the gym.  Be sure to stop and congratulate them when you see them.

Written by: Bob Donaghy

Krav Maga Comes to GR?

With the terrific response of the GR family to the two Fight Fit Krav Maga Self Defense seminars, Jason is in talks with Sarah Fox and Ryan Hoover (pictured above) about adding the program full time at GR in  the very near future.  Ryan Hoover is the franchiser for Fit to Fight Krav Maga and Saras school is associated through him

The GR program would be affiliated with Sara Fox and work with her academy as she runs the premier Krav Maga school in NE Ohio.  Testing and big seminars would mostly happen at her facility as Krav Maga will be a side program at GR.

Our Krav Maga program would be situational self defense to fill in the missing gaps of all the programs we teach already.  Jeff Starr and Jason will teach as both have over 20 years in various Martial Arts. Jason’s Black Belt in Karate and Jeff’s in BJJ are excellent fits for Krav Maga instruction.  More instructors may be trained at GR as needed.

The program would run twice a week on both Tuesday and Thursday nights for one hour each,  Official times yet or start dates aren’t settled yet.

We will have more details soon! Meanwhile, Sarah's website is HERE

Written by: Bob Donaghy

Don't Sleep on the Juniors

The second Jr MMA Sleepover is in the books.  The sleepover builds camaraderie, and just getting together and having some fun is great for the team.  The last one was 2 years ago, with all the growth we didn’t get to do it last year but the goal is to do it twice a year from now on.   Jason is planning on January and August.

It started off on a serious note.  An hour was spent on situational self defense and how to tie their MMA
skills into it.  Everyone got in a good sweat, but the it was time for some fun: fitness challenges, playing with the PS4 and the cookout.

The fitness challenge winners took home signature shirts from some of our GR Pros.   Michael Frenk (redhead on left) - pushup challenge winner with 70 went home with a classic Intimidation Jason Dent shirt, Colin Rupar (in middle) won the wall sit to collect the new Bonesaw Comer shirt, and Logan Baker won the rope climb challenge with 15 reps on a 20’ rope climb and took home the Intimidation Donny Walker shirt.  These kids are fit!  I wonder if our signature MMA Pros could touch those numbers.

Kevin Jackson and Action Automotive sponsored the sleepover once again.  And once again, Kevin not only supplied the food but he cooked it too.  GR is lucky to have people like Kevin around.

GR also needs to thank Alex Frenk, Mike Baker, and Jacob Siever for stepping up and chaperoning.  These events can’t happen without good people like these going the extra mile.

With the success of the Jr MMA sleepovers, Jason is seriously considering a kids version for the 5 to 9 set. Feedback, ideas and suggestions on how to make this happen is welcome and needed.



Written by: Bob Donaghy

GR Ultimate Training Package Upgraded, Adds Instant Awesomeness

For those of you already members of the gym under the Ultimate Package - here’s great news. You just got a lot more value for your money.

Starting August 1st, everyone already enrolled in the Ultimate Package will also have unlimited access to Judo classes AND the very successful and popular Combat Conditioning.  Yes, that’s right, not only will you learn yet more ways to send someone crashing to the ground, but you’ll be in great shape when you do it.

If you’re not familiar with the Ultimate Package, here’s a quick education:  For one (very discounted) price you get:

• 3 nights of boxing per week (Monday, Wednesday, Saturday)
• 3 nights of Muay Thai per week (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday)
• 3 nights of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu  per week (Monday, Wednesday, Saturday)
• 3 nights of MMA  per week (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday)
• Open Gym on Friday (6 to 8 pm)
  And now
• Judo on Friday night from 6 to 7 pm
  AND 
• Combat Conditioning 3 nights per week. (Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday)

So sign up, and show up, and be instantly awesome just for doing it.

Click HERE for the GR Gym schedule

Written by: Bob Donaghy

Kru Aarron 'Juice' Veverka Promoted to Full Instructor

At the closing of the Pacific Northwest Thai Camp 2014, Kru Aaron Veverka was honored with a brief ceremony elevating him to Full Instructor for the Thai Boxing Association.   You can see part of the his instructor test in the video below.  Kru Aaron Veverka is the only certified Full Instructor in the State of Ohio.  In addition to this honor, Juice was recently appointed State Director of Ohio for the Thai Boxing Association.

GriffonRawl is very proud of its long association with such a dedicated and talented man and to have Juice as the Co-Head Instructor of the Thai Boxing program.

Congratulations Juice on this latest achievement!



Written by:  Bob Donaghy