Ian Heinisch
Wants to fight: [autotag]Uriah Hall[/autotag] or [autotag]Brad Tavares[/autotag]
The callout: “I think Uriah Hall would be a great matchup. I think Brad Tavares – we could get that matchup going. I got a concussion before the last fight, so anything that keeps me climbing, I’m good with.”
The reality: Ever since [autotag]Ian Heinisch[/autotag] earned his spot on the UFC roster through Dana White’s Contender Series, the 31-year-old has been handed a string of punishing assignments. “The Hurricane” blew through his latest test against Gerald Meerschaert at UFC 250 to snap a two-fight skid, and respectfully offered two fight options for his next matchup.
The Uriah Hall fight is one that would give Heinisch the chance to score a victory over a noted unranked name in the division, but his suggestion that the UFC revisits his prior booking with Brad Tavares seems to make a lot of sense. The pair originally was set to face off last October, and a potential matchup between the pair at a similar time this year might just fit everybody’s timeline.
Tavares is looking to bounce back from knee surgery before the end of the year and told MMA Junkie in late-March that he hoped to be ready to fight again as swiftly as six months from then. If the Hawaiian’s rehab continues to go well, that could fit nicely with a return date for Heinisch and give both men a matchup they had already started to prepare for 12 months earlier. Much depends on Tavares’ injury recovery, but if it stays on track, it’s a matchup that may suit both parties perfectly.
Next up: “The Haitian Sensation” doubles down on past callout
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