Morning MMA Classes

Team GriffonRawl has begun morning MMA classes. Classes are Tuesday and Thursday's from 9am-10am. The classes have been growing and we look forward to seeing you when you can make it!

Bobish's Ultimate Cage Battles "Raging Bull"

On October 23, 2010, two GriffonRawl warriors made their MMA debut's at Dan Bobish's Ultimate Cage Battles series. Both Zoran Laden and Pito Lagao were victorious, each winning by arm bar in the first round. GriffonRawl's jiu-jitsu program has always been rock solid and ever improving and Zoran and Lagao showed just why. Congratulations to both men. For full results visit: http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/mma.cfm?go=stats.fightCard&eid=c50a208b-a939-4d06-a561-23b59e0d5a67#fight_143213

NAAFS "Caged Fury 12"

On October 12, 2010 Landon Khakdoust and George Comer represented the team at NAAFS "Caged Fury 12" at the historic Gray's Armory in Cleveland, Ohio. Landon started out strong but was clipped by a left hook. With Landon dazed just a bit his opponent was relentless with strikes on the ground until the referee was force to call a stop to the action. Landon kept things in perspective, knowing each fight he'll learn from. George Comer made the move FROM 155 to 170lbs to take on undefeated Nick Kilian in the NAAFS semi-finals. George controlled the entire fight, using a great game plan combined with outstanding athleticism to secure a unanimous decision from all three judges. Comer now has the opportunity to become the first 2x NAAFS amateur champion, and more impressively by going UP a weight class to do it!
For full results visit: www.naafs.tv

Relson Gracie "Seminar"

On Saturday, September 12, 2010 Master Relson Gracie visited the academy and conducted an extensive Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu seminar. Relson is the 2nd oldest son of Grandmaster Helio Gracie and it is always an honor to have Relson at the academy. On behalf of the entire GriffonRawl family, we extend a warm "thank you" for another excellent seminar.

UMMAXX "X-treme 11"

On Saturday, September 4, 2010, four members stepped into the cage representing GriffonRawl at UMMAXX "X-treme 11" in Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio.
Landon Khakdoust came up short in what many were calling the fight of the night. Landon lost a decision to the very tough and well rounded Joey Goyette. Dan Farnworth continued with his fourth win in a row. This time via arm bar submission at :55 of the very first round. Tommy Salvatore continued his unbeaten streak since coming under the GriffonRawl flag with a submission win in the second round. Bryon McCroskey won the UMMAXX lightweight amateur title by soundly defeating a game Kyle Rozewski by unanimous decision.
A great night of fights all around. For complete results visit: http://www.mixedmartialarts.com/mma.cfm?go=stats.fightCard&eid=77a03d51-281f-4cc9-b4bc-32923fd4fedf#fight_137919

Relson Gracie "Promotion"

On September 12, 2010, Master Relson Gracie held a seminar at the Griffonrawl MMA Academy. Following the seminar, Relson promoted Jiu-Jitsu coach Jeff Starr to 4th stripe brown belt. Jeff has been training jiu-jitsu for well over 15 years and now begins his final preparations for his black belt test tenatively scheduled for the summer of 2011. Congratulations to Jeff for this rare accomplishment!

NAAFS "Rock N Rumble 2010"

On Saturday, August 28, 2010, Donny 'Eagle Eye' Walker faced Mike Nesto for the NAAFS Pro-Series Featherweight Title. Donny survived a barrage of first round submission attempts, including a deep arm bar as the round ended. Following the first round Donny had counters for all of Nesto's submission attempts throughout the remaining four rounds. He stuffed takedown attempts and landed a good amount of elbow strikes. As the fight went into "championship rounds" four and five, Donny appeared in control and the judges agreed, giving Donny a unanimous decision victory over the ever-tough Nesto. This marked Donny's sixth consecutive professional victory. Following the fight, Donny addressed the WEC rumors by saying he feels ready and he just wants to keep fighting.

A mainstay at GriffonRawl for years, the entire academy would like to congratulate 'Eagle Eye's' well EARNED victory and new NAAFS Professional Featherweight Champion!

For full results, visit http://naafs.biz/news/2010/08/30/new-champions-crowned-at-4th-annual-rock-n-rumble/

Griffonrawl's "Best Wishes"

This message, a full two-pages, will appear in the program for this weekend's NAAFS Rock N Rumble. All team members wish Donny 'Eagle Eye' Walker a successfull fight as he competes against Mike Nesto for the NAAFS Pro-Series Featherweight Title. Once again, best wishes to Donny! We hope to see everyone there as Donny looks for his 6th consecutive professional victory.

Congrats Kru Aaron "Juice" Veverka!!!

Aaron "Juice" Veverka tested for instructorship in the Thai Boxing association this last weekend, of the 21 of august.

Aaron has been under Ajarn Surachai Sirisute since 1995. Due to a very active life it wasn't until the last couple years he was able to focus on obtaining instructorship in the association(Even though he was known as a teacher before this).
The test is actually in several parts, including but not limited to: Technique form, Ram Muay, Focus mitt training, and finally Thai pad rounds where you have to perform sixty kicks and forty knees per round while the holder is allowed to strike(with Thai pads) and kick you!
He has now achieved the level of "Kru" or instructor in and for the Thai Boxing Association.

Jason Dent MMA Seminar in Slippery Rock, PA

On Saturday August 21st 2010 Jason Dent along with Donny Walker traveled out to Slipper Rock, PA to conduct a MMA seminar. The seminar was put on by a woman named Kelly Labor who is a huge fan and student of the sport. Here is a testimonial she was kind enough to e-mail in after the seminar.

Jason Dent and Donny Walker came to our location and held a three plus hour seminar for 8 members of our school. Their knowledge, ability to communicate ideas and their hands-on teaching was awesome. The group they taught aged from 14 through 40 years old and EVERYONE benefited. I'd highly recommend GriffonRawl Academy to anyone interested in real mixed martial arts.

Kelly Labor

Head Instructor/Owner: Slippery Rock (PA) Martial Arts


If anyone is every interested in having a seminar put on at there school they can feel free to contact the gym to one going.