Logan Urban Joins the GR Fight Team

This was a good week at GR.  Summer attendance is up, we added Judo back into the class schedule, but best of all we added another fighter to the GriffonRawl Amateur Fight Team.  Because of his dominant win last weekend at Caged Madness30, Logan Urban is now a member of the fight team.

Entry to the GR fight team isn’t easy.  First of all Jason and the coaches must be convinced that the candidate is serious about training, and then the candidate has to perform well in Smokers and in the gym.  Once the candidate is ready for a full contact MMA fight, Jason will present the fighter for local promoters to consider.  Only after winning a sanctioned fight can the fighter be inducted to the GR Fight Team.

Logan is an active member of GR.  He’s consistent in showing up for scheduled classes, takes advantage of open mat and the cross training opportunities the gym arranges.  His dedication shows in his preparation.

As his training progressed he was selected to fight for the gym at Smokers, and even entered state level grappling tournaments on his own (winning Gold).

He had a rocky path to his debut win at Caged  Madness 30, but not of his own doing.  Logan may hold the amatuer team record for opponents backing out at the last minute.  But someone finally stepped up, Logan got his win, and GR is able to celebrate adding another fighter to the team.

Be sure to congratulate Logan when you see him at the gym.

Official GR Amateur Fight Team click HERE

Written by: Bob Donaghy

GR Goes 1-1 at Caged Madness 30

July 26th marked the second time GR fighters have participated in fights put on by Explosive Fight Promotions,  This time it was in Akron, Ohio on Caged Madness 30.  Cody Lewis and Logan Urban made the trip South with about a dozen supported from the gym.

We split the night.  Logan came away with a solid win by RNC, but Cody was caught with an illegal blow and wasn’t able to recover enough to avoid a loss.  A loss like this is unfortunate, but not important.  Cody Lewis will be back and better than ever.

The good news from this is with his win, we have a new GR team fighter in Logan Urban.  Logan’s had possibly the most frustrating route to team membership of anyone in a long time.  Three fights, on three different cards were cancelled before Desmond Ford stepped up at Caged Madness 30.  Logan’s induction will be this week at the gym.  Photo’s and a story to follow.

Written by: Bob Donaghy

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

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