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January 20, 2025 96 mins

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Ep 256 John Donehue Australian BJJ Pioneer 

0:00 plugs/ promotions 
0:42 Lytes out intro 
1:01 guest introduction
1:33 interview start 
1:44 early beginnings in MMA
5:47 going to the United States for Jiu Jitsu
7:46 training with Gene Labell 
11:14 Gene Labell training stuntman Matt Johnson 
15:00 watching UFC 1
19:36 relationship with John Perretti
25:47 training with Dan Inosanto
28:28 MARS event 
29:40 Rico Chiaperelli dropped from the Gracie system 
35:54 John Perretti introduction 
36:05 reffing extreme fighting 2
36:59 getting arrested after extreme fighting event 
40:03 having an eye for reffing
44:39 the importance of a good referee 
47:36 politics when it comes to reffing 
52:48 thoughts on matchmaking 
55:54 Maurice Smith vs Conan Silveira 
58:52 experience with John Lober 
59:43 training Chris Brown for ADCC 
1:03:39 pushback for moving back to Australia 
1:08:25 UFC Australia event controversy 
1:09:48 Tony Bonello “fake” black belt rumor 
1:13:21 experience with Brazilian athletes 
1:16:59 training with Hector Lombard
1:21:44 thoughts on Gene LeBell 
1:23:27 training camps for Randy Couture 
1:26:55 Jiu Jitsu vs wrestling 
1:29:33 Dan Henderson in training vs fighting 
1:30:32 Rico Chiapparelli training mentality 
1:33:43 interview wrap up/ outro 
 

John Donehue started his journey with Bill Wallace and became one of Gene LeBell’s original 4 Black Belts. 

Having trained with Randy Couture 
Rico Chiaperelli & Benny Urquidez; John Donehue does not hold back his thoughts on the other early Australian MMA instructors or those that he feel may have taken advantage of Gene LeBell’s kindness. 

John has NOT given an interview in over a decade and his opinions along with an unapologetic approach makes this one of the most raw interviews that we have ever recorded. 

Ep 256 John Donehue Australian BJJ Pioneer 

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