Hurt Clothing Presents: Jason "The Reaper" Graves

Jason “Reaper” Graves

DOB: 1/25/82
Hometown: Chicago, IL
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 185 Lbs.

Official MMA Record is 7-7-0

3rd Place NAGA Midwest No Gi

NAGA Midwest II No Gi Champion

FCE 185 Lbs. 2007 Team Champion

3rd Place ISCF MMA 2007 World Classic @ 185

Those who have fought Jason "The Reaper" Graves feel nothing but HURT and pain. In his MMA wins, Jason barely leaves with a scratch with the opponent either knocked out or choked out, but in his losses, he never lost quietly bringing on the Hurt to his opponents in a full blown war. These are characteristics of a true champion. Someone who puts their heart, body, and soul into the perfection of combat sports is what champions are made of and what Jason Graves' possess.

Jason trains 7 days a week at several different gyms. His main place of training is Uflacker Academy in Summit, IL where he is currently holds a blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under the guidance of Black Belt Professor Christian “Xaropinho” Uflacker, who is a World Phenom in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Jason also trains with Team No Comment in which he his their 185 Lbs. middle weight fighter. Team No COmment is the current Fight Card Entertainment 2007 MMA Team Tournament Champions. Jason also trains his cardio and weight training at Bally's. He's at Uflacker Academy Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. Team No Comment on Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday. Bally's on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.

In a recent interview, we asked Jason some questions: What gets you motivated these days?

JG: I am currently looking forward to the biggest MMA tournament on earth held annually in Cedar Rapids, IA on May 3rd and 4th. I have 3 fights in two days to complete my mission of being the ISCF MMA World Classic Champion which is an amazing accomplishment to add to ones resume. Last year I won 3rd place and this year I will win the belt. I have a main event coming up on May 15th in Elgin, IL vs. Howard Clark and then I have a verbal fight challenge acceptance to fight for the KOTRC Middle Weight championship against Angelo Gervasio this summer. Angelo won that belt last March by defeating me in which I had an injury in a war of a fight and was forced to tap. I have a very versatile game in which I have a good standup and an excellent ground game. I work a full time job as a Network Administrator for a top consulting firm. I am very intelligent so that helps in MMA where it can be very technical and scientific. I am very healthy due to the fact that I eat allot of good foods and I take vitamins and protein to keep me going as hard as I work.

What was it like growing up?

JG: I grew up very poor and in a bad neighborhood and was made fun of because I didn’t have new clothes and nice shoes. I was fighting for respect and for my little brother who got picked on too. Me and my brother Dan would wrestle for hours every day as kids and it was all we had since we didn’t have a tv like most people. I started formal martial arts when I was in 3rd grade after being jumped every day by older kids in gangs. I took Hapkido and that didn’t last long because we couldn’t afford it. I would get free martial arts magazines and catalogs sent to me and would work at the moves in there. I tried to make money so I could do martial arts and order gear. I did some kickboxing in my early teens and then was into school sports like football and the after school weight lifting program. I got caught up in the wrong crowd and sadly found myself in a street gang and would fight with weapons and bare knuckles in organized and unorganized street fights. I grew out of that and actually fought so much as a teen I decided to quit fighting forever. I didn’t fight for years and walked away from trouble so many times I wondered if I could even throw a left hook still!

What's the most important thing in life for you right now?

I am a proud father of a son who has all the things I lacked as a child and he is an amazing person. He started Karate at 3 years old and has been in Jiu Jitsu for a year and a half and is a NAGA Champion too. He is my greatest inspiration. I fight for him. If you ever wonder what is going on in my head before I warm up for a fight it’s him. I never want to tell him that I lost ever again when I get home. I warm up and all that is on my mind is executing my game plan. So far I am 2-0 in 2008 and going to keep winning so I can get a chance in the big MMA shows and continue on to win championships.

Come join Hurt Clothing as we support Jason "The Reaper" Graves on his rise to the top!

Jason's Fight schedule as of now:

ISCF MMA World Classic Tournament
May 2nd, 3rd and 4th
Cedar Rapids, IA

Fight Card Entertainment
(Jason Graves Headlines The Main Event)
Explosion
When: Thu, May 15, 7pm – 10pm
Where: 209 E. Chicago St. Elgin, IL 60120
Description: Madusa Bar 209 E. Chicago St. Elgin, IL 60120
Doors open at 7pm Fights start at 8pm

NAGA Jiu Jitsu & Submission Grappling Tournament
May 24th
Evanston, IL

King of the Ring Championship
(Jason will Headline the Main Event)
*Middle Weight Championship REMATCH!
June 2008
Joliet, IL