Ian Schaffa to return at AFC 5; Corey Nelson also joins lineup

After nearly three years in the combat sports wilderness, Aussie MMA, K-1 and pro Boxing standout Ian Schaffa will make his Mixed Martial Arts return on May 10 at AFC 5.

Schaffa (pictured) will meet New Zealand’s Kieran Joblin with the promotion announcing the lightweight addition to the card on Sunday.

Also recently added to the lineup, newly crowned Brace welterweight top dog Corey Nelson who replaces the injured Jhunior Guarnido and will face Alex Volkanovski in the first stage of the 77 kg tournament.

With over ten years of professional fighting behind him, Ian Schaffa holds a salient place in Australian combat sports history. The Sydney born 35 year-old — who has over 50 fights to his name — is a Shooto veteran, and a two-time NSW kickboxing champion. Also an accomplished Boxer, “The Goshu Hurricane” has fought over fourteen times in the ring as a professional. Until now, Schaffa had remained on the sidelines since his encounter with Jai Bradney at Cage Fighting Championship 14 back in mid 2010. That night, the former XFC lightweight champ was submitted by the now former Nitro lightweight title holder, and retired soon after. 

Faced with the task of welcoming the Aussie veteran back will be 24 year-old Strikeforce Gym product Kieran Joblin (7-5). The Christchurch native — who has fought for notable NZ promotions Shuriken MMA and Supremacy Fighting Championship — will be looking to rebound from a unanimous points decision loss to Nick Patterson at Kings of Kombat 8 in Melbourne this past December.

Fresh off his dominant title fight win over Tony Rossini at Brace 19, Corey Nelson will make his AFC debut at the Melbourne Pavilion. The KMA Top Team fighter steam rolled his way to claim the vacant welterweight title in February, and will now look to continue his unbeaten start to the year when he faces South East NSW native Alex Volkanovski.

Volkanovski will also be looking to keep his unblemished 2013 record intact when takes on Anton Zafir next at Roshambo 1 on April 6th. In his last outing, the former Warilla Gorillas rugby league first-grader stopped Regan Wilson in the first round at Cage Conquest 2 in February.

In other AFC 5 news, Nick Patterson has been forced to withdraw from the show after suffering an injury in training. In his place, local fighter Jake Matthews steps up to face Luke Jumeau.

The sole women’s bout added to the card will be a rematch between Lana Kate and Amy Adam. The two women first met in December at Brace 18 with Kate walking away the victor that night by a split points decision. 

Single Fights:

• Daniel Hooker (Champion) vs Rusty McBride – AFC Lightweight Title Fight 
• Ivo Dos Santos vs Rory O’Connell  
• Joel Fisher vs Jordan Lucas
• Ian Schaffa vs Kieran Joblin
• Lana Kate vs Amy Adam

 Welterweight Tournament:

• Dean Purdon vs Peter Davenport 
• Zein Saliba vs Walber Tete 
• Jake Matthews vs Luke Jumeau 
• Alex Volkanovski vs Corey Nelson 

Middleweight Tournament:

• Daniel Kelly vs Chris Birch 
• Vik Grujic vs David Gibb 
• Cole Davids vs Steve Kennedy 
• Rick Alchin vs Bor Bratovz