In this episode I sat down with Ian Schaffa, a pioneer of Australian MMA who had a storied career and fought in K-1 against one of my favourite fighters - Genki Sudo.

From Karate to the early days of training for MMA, Ian shares a bunch of stories from Australian MMA History, fighting in Japan, the Yakuza and much more.

One of the things I've kept reflecting on since this episode is the 'duality' of things, how things that are bad can also be good and so on.

Ian also speaks openly about fighting and some of the levers behind why he went down some of the pathways he did.  That said, sometimes it's just one little thing that can click and lead to a life change.

The Street Buffet is also a great initiative that Ian started and there is some real insight in that the you can't necessarily 'help' other people who might be in less fortuante situations, but you can connect with them.

Ian has also started 'Goshu Promotions' - a combat sports promotion looking to put on exciting matches across mixed disciplines.

 

Links:

Ian on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ianschaffa_smmash/

Ian on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/Ian-Schaffa-100063803886136/

The Street Buffet on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestreetbuffet/

Street Buffet on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/streetbuffet/

Brian Ebersole on the Lytes outs Podcast talking about the street fight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncjAF38EkC8

https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/ian-james-schaffa-goshu-hurricane

Ian Schaffa vs Genki Sudo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dq3OIbufsvE