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Matthew Granahan
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Matt Granahan is the President and Founder of the American Combat Association. Known in wrestling and fighting circles as "The Granimal", he is also an author, a professional wrestler, and a competitive submission wrestler and trainer. Author Matthew "Granimal" Granahan is currently writing a book with Erik Paulson and JD Dwyer entitled <em>Rough and Tumble: The History of American Submission Wresting</em>. He also has another book in the works, one entitled <em>The Tale of Two Carnies</em> chronicling the careers of carnival wrestlers Billy Wicks and Franky Caine. American Combat Association The American Combat Association was formed by Matt Granahan and olympic wrestler, Abu Dhabi Champion, and undefeated MMA fighter Kamal Shalorus. The organization was formed to put on combo shows and seminars, and promote the American martial arts of boxing and catch wrestling. Through their website, www.americancombatassn.com the organization displays techniques for boxers and wrestlers, bikini models, firearms and hunting instruction, comedic videos, and interviews with old time wrestlers and boxers. The member's section includes training techniques from Granimal's friends Erik Paulson and Kamal Shalorus, as well as comedic sketches, bikini wrestling with ACA models Denise Milani, Bella Donna, and Diane Double-D Devine, and the Granimal's blog. Professional Wrestling The Granimal first began professional wrestling as a special guest referee for Connecticut Championship Wrestling. He appeared as a guest referee at a CCW's Kid's Day event in 2000 held in Danbury Connecticut, where he powerbombed one of the competitors at the end of the match. He has appeared for Chief Jay Eagle's American Professional Wrestling in Spartanburg, South Carolina. He first arrived at their "St. Valentine's Day Massacre" show in 2009 as himself, promoting the book he is writing with Erik Paulson and Jeremy Dwyer. Chuck Sloan, a former Greco-Roman Champion and veteran pro wrestler, interrupted the interview and a match ensued. It ended when the Granimal suplexed Sloan out of the ring. The Granimal then appeared at an APW show in March of 2009 as Hussain Hassan Vaziri, the supposed illegitimate son of the Iron Sheik. He insulted the crowd and invited an attractive female to come in the ring and "kiss his beautiful Iranian foot." The skit ended when they played Old Glory and the Hussain Hassan stomped his feet and scurried out of the ring. Although he played an Iranian character in pro wrestling, Granahan is of Irish and Sicilian ancestry. The Granimal is considered a shoot style professional wrestler. Submission Wrestling The Granimal began wrestling at the age of 12. The Granimal trains with Kamal Shalorus at Pat Militich's CTC Austin, but he is also close friends with carnival wrestling legends Billy Wicks, Franky Caine, and Red Bastien, who he says inspired him to begin submission wrestling. In 2009, the Granimal captured the Florida and Southeast Submission Wrestling titles. He is a proponent of traditional carny style catch as catch can wrestling and promotes seminars and private trainings on his website. Although the Granimal has never competed in professional wrestling or mixed martial arts in Japan he has developed a loyal Japanese fan base spearheaded by mma fighter, human pacman enthusiast and Japanese short film producer Satoru Sakagushi. Sakagushi has produced two short films on You Tube entitled Granimal versus Stallone. The Granimal's Uncle Steve won Jeff Foxworthy 's World's Strongest Redneck competition. The Granimal's godfather Dana Dewan is actress and dancer Jenna Dewan 's uncle. Granimal is an outspoken supporter of the National Rifle Association and Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. Links http://ufcfightervideos.com/?sgranimal&x7&y=10 http://www.americancombatassn.com http://www.ufcvideosblog.com/2009/02/28/american-combat-association-video/ http://mmavideostoday.com/?sgranimal&x8&y=13 http://www.flurl.com/search?querygranimal&x42&y=12 http://www.nationallyranked.com/index.cfm?acRANKEDEventResults&EID40097 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e3m3UA_O0Fs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jy9YWhiszRY 
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