Logan Urban Wins Gold

Last weekend, while the attention of most of GriffonRawl was on Canton, a lone member of the Academy was in Columbus at the American Grappling Challenge.  Logan Urban won Gold  as a middleweight in a very tough no gi intermediate division.

This was his first grappling tournament.  In his on and off 5 years with GR, Logan has also competed in one Muay Thai Smoker (which he won by TKO).  Jason Dent has been eager for Logan to return to GR full time and log his first official fight for the gym.

Logan had this to say about his win: Big shout out to GriffonRawl MMA Academy for teaching me so much of what I know. I won the finals with an Anaconda choke and it was probably the very first submission I was ever taught back when I started! I couldn't have done it without the awesome knowledge and experience of Jason Dent and the rest of the gym. I am so excited to get back to GR this summer to train and continue to get better with such great coaches, training partners and friends!

Be sure to congratulate Logan when you see him in class.

The website for the American Grappling Challenge is HERE

Written by: Bob Donaghy

GriffonRawl Represented at American Grappling Challenge

Three GR members: Ahmad Douglas, Jeff Offak and Rob Rizer competed at the American Grappling Challenge last Saturday (August 10) in Copley, OH.   The event, the second in 2013, pulled over 175 competitors onto the mats

Ahmad Douglas placed 3rd no gi in intermediate. Rob Rizer took second place in both gi and no-gi divisions, and JJ Offak took 3rd in no-gi.  Everybody had a great time, showed class, and work ethic.  They competed well and made the gym proud.  Be sure to congratulate them when you see them in class.  Competing in grappling events outside the gym is a great way to get experience and broaden your training horizon. Having a date to train for is a great way to improve your focus in the gym.

The next scheduled AGC event is in Cincinnati, OH on September 7th

The AGC website is HERE 

Written by: Bob Donaghy

GR Picks up Gold at American Grappling Challenge

GriffonRawl sent six members to the AGC in Medina.  And it was a very tough competition: Strongstyle, Evolve, Instigator, all sent teams.  All together 38 gyms/teams were represented.  Everyone from our team found things to take back to GriffonRawl and work on.

This is how we did:
Cody Lewis - Featherweight Blue Belt Intermediate GI 1st place gold and Featherweight Intermediate No-Gi 1st place gold

Jeff Offack - First place in featherweight white belt.

Kevin McCallion  - 2nd place in Lightweight Intermediate Blue Belt & 3rd place in No-Gi intermediate blue belt

Joe Callari - placed 3rd in No-Gi Intermediate middle weight, but did not place in Intermediate Blue Belt Gi at middleweight

Steve Hetzel - did not place in Gi or No-Gi (purple belt & no Gi advance...featherweight)

Sammy Callari welterweight intermediate blue belt and intermediate No-Gi...but lost matches do to points. Both guys he lost to went on to win the division.

Thanks again to everyone who stepped up and competed, and to everyone who made the trip to support the team.  The next AGC is in August.

Written by: Bob Donaghy

GriffonRawl at the American Grappling Challenge

GR Team Fighter Steve Hetzel and GR member Cody Lewis traveled to Hamilton, OH on Saturday, January 12 to compete in the American Grappling Challenge Tri-State Grappling Championships.

Steve finished 1st in nogi and 3rd in gi at 140 lbs while Cody took 4th in gi at 155 lbs. It 's great to see our guys stepping up to get out there to broaden their experience.

American Grappling Challenge is the new name for the Ohio Grappling Challenge.  Click on the yellow link to visit their new site.

The next AGC event will be The All-Ohio Open on March 23rd in Canton, OH

Written by: Bob  Donaghy