Pro Fighting Fans "Jason Dent & Donny Walker Interviews"

Following two of the most exciting and action packed fights in the history of the Griffonrawl MMA Academy, Pro Fighting Fans (http://www.profighting-fans.com/) writer Luke Jernigan sat down with team captain Jason 'Dynamite' Dent. In a seperate interview, Curt Heinrichs spoke with boxing instructor Donny 'Eagle Eye' Walker. Both are exceptional interviews and well worth the read.

For Jason's interview visit www.profighting-fans.com/articles/jason-dent-interview_062010.html.

For Donny's interview visit www.profighting-fans.com/articles/donny-walker-interview_062310.html.

Intimidation Clothing "Jason Dynamite Dent"

Intimidation Clothing, a leader in MMA inspired clothing and apparel, has recently added a Jason "Dynamite" Dent t-shirt to its clothing line. Shirts are available by visiting http://www.intimidationclothing.com/ or by visiting GriffonRawl MMA Academy's pro-shop.

Extreme Fight Club "Downtown Beatdown 3"

Erie, Pennsylvania

Avalon Hotel Ballroom

On Saturday, June 12, 2010, Team GriffonRawl's Donny Walker took on Bombsquad MMA's (New York) Kenny Foster in a professional featherweight contest. Kenny entered the contest with a professional record of 7-1, with his only blemish coming at the hands of current World Extreme Cagefighting (WEC) featherweight Mackens "Da Menace" Semerzier.

Matchmaker Jason Lawrence showed he was a veteran of the MMA community by pitting two men who came to leave it all in the cage. Donny was dropped in the first round following a wicked overhand left from Foster, but showed why he is one of the most exciting featherweights in the country, rallying to get the fight standing where he landed damaging blows of his own.

In the second round, Donny landed a brutal knee to the face of Foster that not only broke his nose but cut Foster that caused a large amount of blood to come pouring from his face. The fight was stopped momentarily as the cage-side doctor examined and then determined Foster was able to continue. Literally and figuratively, Donny smelled blood and went back to work landing elbows to Foster that added to the damage and caused new cuts. Throughout both rounds, both men kept pressing forward landing heavy blows to the excitement of the crowd. The one-minute break between rounds two and three had to be extended to clean up the puddles that formed seemingly everywhere.

Early in round 3 Donny was attacking from his guard and opened up Foster again, but this time the referee determined there was simply too much blood loss from Foster to allow the contest to continue, thereby giving Donny a TKO victory and his fifth consecutive win.

In the post fight interview, Donny thanked his team and his wife for their support and then made his pitch to the WEC, asking to be called up to the world's leading promotion for featherweights. Having put on tremendous, exciting fights with WEC veterans Cub Swanson and Jeff Curran, coupled with his victory over an extremely tough Kenny Foster, Donny has taken yet another step towards goal---the WEC.

Donny's next scheduled fight is August 28, 2010. He is set to face Mike Nesto for the NAAFS pro-series featherweight title.

Griffonrawl MMA Academy "Face Lift"

The Griffonrawl MMA Academy has received a "face lift" in two ways.

First, the physical side. Team captain and owner Jason Dent continues to put money back into the business in order to continually improve the academy. His latest venture was to have the windows stensiled with the new logo and cage images. His never-dying love for his academy has made Griffonrawl into the area's leading martial arts studio.

Next the technical side. Traditionally, the only "e-news" was fight results. Moving forward, promotions inside the academy, "smoker" results, grappling tournaments, seminars, and updates to the website or the academy itself will be in the e-news section of http://www.ohio-mma.com/.

Our hope is to keep visitors to the website more up-to-date on the academy and not to simply report the results of MMA competitions.

Belt Promotion "John Strmac"

After many years of study under his main instructor Jeff Starr, John Strmac was promoted to purple belt on May 23, 2010 in the Relson Gracie Jiu-Jitsu Academy. John has participated in tournaments in Ohio and Pennsylvania and has attended seminars held by such names as Relson Gracie, Robin Geisler, Saulo and Xande Ribeiro, Romero "Jacare" Calvacant, Jeff Monson, "Zee," and Chris Brennan.

NAAFS "Fight Night in the Flats VI"

Cleveland, Ohio

Nautica Pavilion

On Saturday June 5, 2010 three of GriffonRawl's veterans were set for action in the regions biggest event--Fight Night in the Flats VI.

Bryon McCroskey had his hands full with NAAFS veteran, Joey Holt. Both men fought well, hit hard, and looked to be in tremendous shape for the bout. In the end, Holt was awarded a split decision victory, and in a fight that close it could have gone either way. Both men showed why they are on the cusp of turning professional.

Reggie Parks fell short against Bill Morosetti, who chained submission attempts together in a most impressive fashion. Reggie was able to counter and defend the submission attempts in the first round but an arm bar by Morosetti was locked in during round 2 that forced Reggie to tap at the 1:56 mark.

Jason Dent moved up a weight class and Chris Lozano moved down a weight class, thereby pitting the NAAFS Lightweight Champion against the NAAFS Middleweight Champion in 5-round "superfight" championship bout. Lozano came out strong and threw a head kick that, when blocked by Dent, snapped Jason's left forearm in half. Ever the warrior, Jason kept fighting and between rounds one and two told his corner he wasn't going down without a fight, even though he could feel the bones in his arm moving left and right, and was unable to throw anything with his left hand. The two continued to bludgeon one another, but at the end of the forth round, Dr. Jerome Williams called a stop to the contest due to a large cut on Jason's forehead. Jason and Chris embraced, put their feud aside and took the opportunity in the post fight interview to complement one another on each other's toughness and skill.

Although the team came up short on paper, it was an epic night for GriffonRawl. All three men showed why they are true warriors, but more importantly truly classy men.

For full results visit www.naafs.tv

RFO: "Big Guns 5"

On Saturday, May 22, 2010, John Strmac was the lone GriffonRawl member on the Revelation Fight Organization's "Big Guns 5" in Mansfield, Ohio.

Pitted against Greg Petty for the RFO amateur bantamweight title, John overcame a slow start and big bombs from Petty and rallied in rounds two and three to win a unanimous decision victory. Greg was intense, athletic and came strong throwing heavy shots throughout their three round bout. John was able to weather the onslaught and followed excellent, intelligent instruction from Jason Dent to improve to 8-2.

NAAFS "Caged Fury 11"

On Saturday, April 24, 2010 Team GriffonRawl sent John Burbol and Landon Khakdoust into action at Potters Fieldhouse in East Liverpool, Ohio.

John Burbol (185lbs) had to knock 18 months of rust off in his bout against Dustin Moniger of Team Bloody Buddy. Going into the third round, John was either even or down on the judges scorecards. Landing a heavy shot on his feet, John followed Dustin to the ground, where John was able to trap Dustin's right arm and strike at will causing the referee to call a stop to the contest. John was declared victorious via TKO at :59 of the third round.

Landon Khakdoust (170lbs) was doing well in the first round until he caught in the mount position up against the fence. The experienced Hoppel was able to take advantage of the position and Landon was unable to escape causing the contest to be stopped at 2:35 of the first round. Landon continues to only fight the toughest competitors and no doubt will be better in the long run.

For full results visit http://www.naafs.tv/

NAAFS "Northcoast Showdown 5"

Four of Griffonrawl's warriors were in action for NAAFS "Northcoast Showdown 5" in Streetsboro, Ohio on April 18, 2010.





Jason Departo made his debut at 145lbs. Although Jason lost by unanimous decision, he showed tremendous heart and perseverance throughout the contest and gained valuable experience that will pay dividends in the future.


Steve Hetzel also made his debut at 145lbs. Steve used a sound strategy to defeat the effective striker, Ray Ewert of Rising Dragon MMA. Steve was dominate in the first two rounds and was able to maintain control in round three to earn his first MMA victory. Having no previous martial arts experience prior to joining Team GriffonRawl, Steve showed what hard work and dedication can bring.


Dave Klima fell short of victory at 170lbs, but in the process of the three round fight he showed many good signs and fought valiantly throughout the nine minute contest. Showing sound resolve, Dave was at practice the following Monday eager to improve and move forward towards his next contest.


Tom Salvatore wasted little time in the cage starting out explosive with heavy strikes against Johnny Dionisi of Team Air-Gadfly. The contest was called at :35 of the very first round, earning Tom a TKO victory. Ever-impoving, Tom capitalized on his cross training to earn his second victory since joining the team.


Congratualtions to all members, who fought hard and represented Team Griffonrawl with class in each bout.

For full results visit www.naafs.tv

UMMAXX 10

Two of Griffonrawl's finest were in action at UMMAXX 10 and both were up for title bouts.

George Comer used an excellent strategy against the seasoned and always game, Relentless Russ Halsey of Pain Headquarters to win the UMMAXX Amateur Lightweight title. After three exciting rounds, George was declared victorious by all three judges. Congrats to George on his second amateur title!

Paul Compton took on Jay McLean for the UMMAXX professional featherweight title. Jay landed an early head kick and the referee stepped in calling a stop to the contest at 1:40 seconds. Although Jay landed a clean shot, many believed it was a premature stoppage. Afterwards, a classy-Compton stated, "It may have been an early stoppage, but it was a great kick by Jay."

For full results visit www.ummaxx.net