NAAFS Rock 'n Rumble 8 is in the Books

 Saturday night saw the 8th edition of NAAFS end of Summer spectacular: Rock n Rumble.   Due to a scheduling conflict the event was delayed a month, and moved from its traditional venue in the Flats to Canton Civic Arena.  Next year, Rock n Rumble will return to Cleveland.

As usual for this event it was a stacked card.  Sixteen fights in all, with pro fighters brought in from other states to fill the top of the card and many special guests.  It’s a tribute to the quality of our home grown talent the many of the guests (UFC stars Stipe Miocic and Jessica Eye), are actually local, and the main event, Cody Steven v Frank Caraballo, featured two local fighters.

What was not usual, was that Ahmad Douglas was GriffonRawl’s sole representative on the card.  Normally we have a least three, but moving the event a month made for irreconcilable conflict with the schedules of the fighters we had lined up.   Rather than see GR completely absent from the biggest NAAFS event of the year for the first time, Ahmad Douglas stepped up on relatively short notice to fill the gap.  Ahmad’s fight was a semi-final in the NAAFS Flyweight Amatuer National Tournament.  The winner will fight for the belt in December.

Unfortunately, Saturday was not Ahmad’s night.  He fought a tough, grinding fight against a wrestling specialist in undefeated Adli Edwards from Ronin Fight Team.  Ahmad demonstrated the superior striking skills, but often had to fight moving backward to stymie Edwards’ relentless takedown attempts.  Ahmad was successful in doing damage, but in the end the judges saw Edwards’ efforts as deserving the unanimous decision win.

Ahmad Douglas told his coach and corner George the loss does not discourage him, but will fuel his fire for additional training.  He finished by saying to George,  “I'll see you Tuesday at practice”.

George Comer said while he was disappointed with the loss, he  is not disappointed in his young student.  “Ahmad  is only 19 years old and was in the semi finals for the NAAFS amateur title which is nearly 7 years younger than I  was when I competed.  Ahmad’s  got a ton of potential.”

Ahmad will be fighting again sooner rather than later.  Be sure to congratulate him on his gritty effort when you see him on Tuesday.

Main Card Results

• Frank Caraballo def Cody Stevens  by UD
• Cody 'No Love' Garbrandt def Charles 'The Trinity' Stanford byTKO round 1 @ 1:37
• John 'Big' Hawk def Bobby 'Zombie' Brents by DQ (Groin Strike) round 3  @ 3:07
• Matt 'The Cat' DiMarcantonio def Wesley 'Wild Wild' Hanson by UD
• Eric Bledsoe def Ronald 'R.J.' Buck by Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) round 1 @ 3:36
• Jeff 'Lights Out' Hughes def Devon Wilson by Submission (Guillotine Choke) round 1 @ 3:52

Special thanks to Mike Wrobel of ShootitMMA.com for getting these pictures to us ahead of his own publication date.

Written by: Bob Donaghy

Ahmad Douglas at NAAFS FNF 10

Ahmad Douglas narrowly lost a tight split decision last night at Fight Night in the Flats 10.  GR’s sole representative on the card put on a great display of skill and heart but in the end the judges saw fit to award the win to the very tough Tobiaus Taylor.  Ahmad’s record goes to 3 dominating finish wins and 1 split decision loss.

Jason Dent and George Comer cornered Ahmad, and they were unanimous in praising his effort.  Both said the opening round was a tight call with both fighters testing and  trying to establish dominance, and that Ahmad used his wrestling in the second to clearly dominate the action.  Jason warned Ahmad that he thought Tobiaus was desperate, and would come out hard in the third.  Jason was right, Tobiaus charged out and really pushed the action.  He was able to get Ahmad to the ground and use some very accurate strikes to open him up.  That was enough to tilt the decision in his favor.

Ahmad has been a favorite to win NAAFS National Amateur Title because of his dominating record.  He remains in the mix because the tournament format is double elimination.  He will use the lessons from this fight and come back stronger.  Be sure to congratulate Ahmad on a terrific fight.

Written by: Bob Donaghy

Ahmad Douglas Competes in the Lyndhurst Spring Open

GR’s newest Amateur Fight Team member, Ahmad Douglas has a reputation for hard work and going the extra mile for his training.  He reinforced that reputation on March 8th by stepping away from the relative comfort of GR and entering the very tough annual open wrestling tournament in Lyndhurst, OH.  There were 14 weight classes in his division (age 15 to 19), using modified scholastic rules.  It was round robin style, meaning everyone wrestled everyone.  He did well, going 3-2 for the day.

Ahmad is never one to rest on his laurels, this June he fights again for NAAFS (no opponent yet),  A win there will bring his MMA record to 4-0 and make him one of the top ranked fighters in the NAAFS Featherweight Division.  Jason hopes to put Ahmad in the chase for the NAAFS National Title this December.

Written by: Bob Donaghy

Callari and Douglas Deliver Wins at Combat Challange 26

GriffonRawl went 2 for 2 tonight at NAAFS opening event for 2014.  The 26th edition of the Combat Challenge series unfolded Saturday night at Chapparell’s Community Center in Akron, OH.  A full crowd watched 36 amateur fighters put it all on the line.  GR was ably represented by Ahmad Douglas and Joe Callari.  George Comer and Miguel Defina did the cornering honors for the GR Team.

Joe Callari was up first and finished his opponent in the first round by Guillotine Choke, bringing his record to 7-6.  It’s worth noting that Joe came to GR with a 2-4 record, and with hard work and dedication has been 5-2 during his time with the team.

Ahmad Douglas was up next and his fight went longer. This is the first time Ahmad's opponent has lasted until the third round.   About half way through the final round Ahmad took his opponent’s back and locked in a tight Rear Naked Choke for the win.  Ahmad keeps his perfect record at 3-0, all finishes.

Be sure to congratulate these two GR Warriors when you see the at the Academy.

Both GR fighters were sponsored by

Pictures courtesy  of Ryan Heckert of Hexlinc Photos

Written by: Bob Donaghy

Ahmad Douglas Wins at NAAFS

Ahmad Triangles Andrew Newman while Jason Dent looks on

Ahmad Douglas took the GR fight team to the end of 2013 in spectacular fashion at the NAAFS NIGHT OF CHAMPIONS event; a textbook perfect submission of his opponent brought Ahmad's record to 2-0. With a first round TKO in his first win, and a first round submission in his second, Ahmad is setting the bar high as a ‘all rounder’ in the cage.

Ahmad set himself up for these wins with his consistent training and focus.  When you come to class, one of the givens is Ahmad got there ahead of you.  When you see Ahmad, be sure to congratulate him on his win!

Full Event Results:
Timmy Bowman defeats Brandon Glarner via TKO (Injury) at 0:49 of Round 1
Nic Lute defeats Chris Kingsley via Tapout (Rear Naked Choke) at 1:29 of Round 1
Kenny Locsei defeats Osahon Omo-Osagie via TKO at 2:38 of Round 2
Darion Peterson defeats Scott Mauck via KO at 1:09 of Round 2
Ahmad Douglas defeats Andrew Newman via Tapout (Triangle) at 2:42 of Round 1
Anthony Monteleone defeats Scottie Moritz via Disqualification at 1:41 of Round 1

2013 National Amateur Series Championship Bouts
Katlyn Chookagian defeats Vanessa Demopoulos via TKO at 2:11 of Round 3 – Chookagian wins the 2013 NAAFS Amateur Series Women’s title
Antwan Phillips defeats Jeff Hughes via Split Decision (29-28/28-29/29-28) – Phillips wins the 2013 NAAFS Amateur Series Heavyweight title
Nick Browne defeats Nick Foxhuber via Unanimous Decision (30-27/30-27/30-27) – Browne wins the 2013 NAAFS Amateur Series Lightweight title
Josh Krizan defeats Ivan Rodriguez via Unanimous Decision (29-28/29-28/29-28) – Krizan wins the 2013 NAAFS Amateur Series Welterweight title
J.T. Miller defeats Cody Tominack via TKO at 2:15 of Round 2 – Miller wins the 2013 NAAFS Amateur Series Middleweight title
Seth Shaffer defeats Mario Micale via TKO at 0:47 of Round 1 – Shaffer wins the 2013 NAAFS Amateur Series Bantamweight title

Written by: Bob Donaghy

Ahmad Douglas Inducted to Fight Team

GriffonRawl has a new fight team member!  On Saturday October 5th Ahmad Douglas fought for GriffonRawl on the NAAFS card in Akron.  By winning his fight, (by TKO in the first round), Ahmad earned his way onto the team.

 GriffonRawl is different from most gyms where just expressing interest in fighting will get you, more or less, on a fight team.  At least sort of a fight team. 

Making the GR team isn't easy but it is simple: just win a state sanctioned fight.  The hard part is earning backing by the Academy and fighter support team, earning the right to wear GR's colors. 

Ahmad's path to making the team wasn't quick or easy.  In his roughly two years with GriffonRawl,  he's had a nearly perfect record in classes.  He's represented GR in Smoker fights, fought in the GR IGC tournament and even outside grappling tournaments.  Winning his  NAAFS fight debut was just the last barrier to cross.  We're all very proud of Ahmad's dedication and growth.  When you see him, be sure to congratulate him on his accomplishment.

Written by:  Bob Donaghy

Combat Challenge 25 Review

Ahmad Douglas Makes a Knockout Debut

Last Saturday, October 5th, NAAFS held the 25th show in their Combat Challenge series.  The event was in Akron's Chapparell's Community Center and featured 14 amateur fights.  At least that was the plan.  JJ Offak and Ahmad Douglas were to fight for GriffonRawl on the all amateur card, but JJ had the misfortune of seeing three opponents come and go before fight night.  In the end, with only 48 hours notice, he was left without an opponent, and Ahmad became the sole representative of GriffonRawl.  But Ahmad fought brilliantly, winning his debut fight by TKO at 1:00 of the first round.

This is what cornerman Chuck Schilling had to say, (Ahmad) "was winning the standup, then hit a double, lifted and brought him to our corner.  Mounted until he rolled, put in hooks and punched until it ended"   The picture says it all.

Congratulation Ahmad on a terrific debut and welcome to the GriffonRawl Fight Team.

Full card results:

Josh Paulus defeats John Mumaw, TKO round one (1:00)
Ahmad Douglas defeats Jason Stull, TKO round one (1:00)
Scottie Moritz defeats Geoff Salyers, unanimous decision
Seth Shaffer defeats Ray Gillies, unanimous decision
Cody Tominak defeats Hassan Crutcher, unanimous decision
Nick Foxhuber defeats Fadi Shuman, RNC round two (1:20)
Jeff Hughes defeats James Bunn, RNC round 2 (1:17)
Josh Krizan defeats Caleb Fickert, unanimous decision
Jerrell Hodge defeats Cheyne Jenkins, arm triangle round two (0:55)
JT Miller defeats Cory Bresson, TKO round one (1:24)
Nick Browne defeats Izzy William, unanimous decision
RJ Buck defeats Tobiaus Taylor, armbar round 3 (2:43)

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

World Kickboxing Academy Smoker Results

Five GriffonRawl members made it to Stow for the World Kickboxing Academy’s first Smoker.  We came away 3-2.  Joe Callari, Ahmad Douglas and Logan Urban all won, Rex Briggs and Nice Pruter came away on the losing end of their fights.  All the fighters were warriors and fought well. 

While WKA is new facility the smoker was well run and very well attended.  GriffonRawl members, friends and supporters easily outnumbered all other groups at the event.  Thanks to everyone who came.  It's a great way to support  the Academy and your fellow members.

Smokers are for fun and experience.  The results are not recorded, not part of the fighter’s record and Smoker do not affect in any way consideration for the  Fight Team.  The experience is important and practice outside the familiar surroundings of the academy prepares the fighter for the world of professional competition.  Smoker fights are a pro fighter tool available to every member of the academy.

Written by: Bob Donaghy