Tag: Ian Heinisch

Ian Heinisch details how brain injuries forced UFC retirement

In a sport where brain injuries often occur but are seldom discussed, Ian Heinisch opens up about the issues that forced his UFC retirement.

LAS VEGAS – [autotag]Ian Heinisch[/autotag] remained silent, until he couldn’t take it anymore. He just wanted to feel normal, a state he hadn’t been in for a year and a half.

In July 2023, Heinisch (14-5 MMA, 3-4 UFC) announced an indefinite break from MMA, something he now calls a “retirement, due to brain trauma. Heinisch credits MMA for turning his life around, so stepping away was heart-wrenching, though necessary.

“Man, I hid it for probably a year-and-a-half,” Heinisch told MMA Junkie on the 16th Annual World MMA Awards red carpet. “When I was supposed to fight Sam Alvey, I had to pull out of that fight. I couldn’t hide it anymore. I couldn’t go to the gym. I didn’t feel like myself. I had headaches all the time. I had confusion. One time, I was driving in my car and I forgot where I was at. That was when I was like, ‘OK, my only priority right now is to feel normal again.’ Luckily, through stem cells and CPI and all these different treatments and just time, not getting hit, I’m feeling good. I’m still training, not doing anything contact. But I love this sport, man. It chose me, and now it’s been taken from me. It sucks, but my heart is still here for the people and I love my journey.”

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As difficult as the decision was to depart from his path before he reached his desired ending, Heinisch said the choice became increasingly easier as time went on. In a sport where brain trauma is dished and absorbed on a daily basis, Heinisch hopes other fighters listen to their bodies and minds when needed.

“At one point, I didn’t care if I fought again,” Heinisch said. “I didn’t care about anything except to feel normal again. It was to that point. If you’re struggling with that, man, I’m telling you, rest your brain. It can heal, but you’ve got to let it rest. It was tough. It was one of the hardest decisions of my life. I’ve been training MMA, eating, sleeping, and breathing this sport for the past decade. I changed my life. I was rock bottom in a foreign prison cell and I got to the top 10. I felt like I was close to making a title run, but God has different plans. I’m blessed in this journey. God is using me for where I’m at now.”

Not all stories of brain injuries have a happy ending, but Heinisch is one of the lucky ones. Through stem cells and other treatments, he finally feels like himself. He has found life beyond fighting and has found success through crypto and other ventures. Heinisch feels grateful.

“I’m blessed to have the career and the platform but now it’s business,” Heinisch said.

UFC’s Ian Heinisch announces indefinite break from MMA due to numerous serious health issues

UFC middleweight Ian Heinisch is taking time away from MMA to address serious health concerns.

[autotag]Ian Heinisch[/autotag]’s fighting career has been put on hold.

On Thursday, the UFC middleweight announced that he’s taking an indefinite break from MMA and removing himself from the USADA testing pool in order to focus on his health, as he’s been experiencing a wide range of serious health issues.

“I’m making the decision right now to take a step back and get out of the USADA pool, do some peptides, and some other treatments and heal,” Heinisch said in a video post on Instagram. “That’s what I’m trying to do right now. Yeah, it’s tough, but it’s been a long journey and I have to do this. I can’t keep making my head worse. I know I can’t.”

Heinisch (14-5 MMA, 3-4 UFC), who was last seen in action in July 2021, has been experiencing issues with his health throughout his UFC career and they’ve been getting worse over time. It all started with skin issues that would turn into bigger and bigger problems.

“I started noticing some health issues that I didn’t really know where they came from,” Heinisch said. “I started having skin issues. The doctor said it was folliculitis, but it would turn into staph and sometimes MRSA. I got prescribed antibiotic, after antibiotic, after antibiotic. I know other fighters are going through this. I know it. Eventually my stomach was completely wrecked. I had blood in my stool for over a year.”

Heinisch blames the overuse of antibiotics for later causing him ulcerative colitis – which also caused him to be in an anemic state. He eventually was able to get his ulcerative colitis under control with help from his wife, who’s a nurse. However, around the same time, he also began having issues with high levels of prolactin and thyroid problems, which eventually was diagnosed as Hashimoto’s disease.

According to Mayo Clinic, Hashimoto’s disease is an autoimmune disorder that affects the thyroid gland. The disease causes the immune system to attack healthy tissues, which leads to a decline in hormone production.

But that’s not all for Heinisch. Numerous concussions and head trauma began catching up. He hit a breaking point following his last fight where he lost to Nassourdine Imavov by TKO.

“After my last loss, I came back to training about a month after, took a head kick, got dropped,” Heinisch said. “I didn’t get knocked out or nothing, but these side effects were terrible. I felt like I was walking on a boat. I felt like my brain was disconnected from my brain. The emotions that were running through me were so crazy. I thought my career was over.”

Heinisch, who lives in Florida, would seek stem cell treatment in Mexico while also taking a break from fighting. He saw improvement in his health and tried to resume training in Colorado, thinking he was back to normal, but he wasn’t.

“I tried so hard, man. I tried so hard,” Heinisch said. “I went back to Colorado and started training next to my recovery center. (I thought) it would be beneficial for me and it would maintain my training. First couple of weeks went really good. Third week, I got hit with a knee in sparring. For four days I would feel like if I would turn my head I would fall over. Equilibrium was off. It would mess with my emotions and my character and everything.

“So, I took a step back and came back to Florida. I said let’s give it one more week, one more shot. My mind has been playing tricks on me. I would feel good, and this voice would tell me, ‘Why are you not training, you have to fight.’ I would go back to training, get hit, and I would hate fighting, I would hate my life. All I would want to feel is normal.”

Heinisch promises a return to fighting and is optimistic he’ll get over these health issues. He’s unsure of a timeline for his return.

Heinisch has been fighting professionally since 2015 and has competed in 19 bouts, with seven of those being in the UFC. He started his UFC career in 2018 on a three-fight winning streak, but since has gone 1-4 in his past five fights.

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Skidding Sam Alvey meets Ian Heinisch at UFC Fight Night on Feb. 5

Sam Alvey will be in search of his first octagon win in over three years when he meets Ian Heinisch in February.

[autotag]Sam Alvey[/autotag] will be in search of his first octagon win in more than three years when he meets [autotag]Ian Heinisch[/autotag].

Alvey (33-16-1 MMA, 10-11-1 UFC) takes on Heinisch (14-5 MMA, 3-4 UFC) on Feb. 5 at UFC Fight Night in an event that doesn’t yet have a publicly known venue or location. Heinisch confirmed the news on his social media after an initial report from MMA Fighting.

Winless in his past seven trips to the octagon, Alvey hasn’t had his hand raised since edging out Gian Villante in June 2018. The Season 16 “Ultimate Fighter” alum’s seven-fight winless skid is the second longest in UFC history, only behind Hall of Famer B.J. Penn (eight).

Meanwhile, Heinisch will also look to snap his losing skid. After scoring a first-round TKO of Gerald Meerschaert at UFC 250, the Dana White’s Contender Series alum has dropped two straight to Kelvin Gastelum and most recently Nassourdine Imavov in July at UFC on ESPN 27.

With the addition, the current Feb. 5 lineup includes:

  • Marc-Andre Barriault vs. Chidi Njokuani
  • Phil Rowe vs. Jason Witt
  • Jailton Almeida vs. Danilo Marques
  • John Castaneda vs. Miles Johns
  • Hakeem Dawodu vs. Mike Trizano
  • Sam Alvey vs. Ian Heinisch

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UFC on ESPN 27 post-event facts: T.J. Dillashaw makes history in octagon return

Check out all the facts and figures from UFC on ESPN 27, which saw T.J. Dillashaw return to the octagon in historic fashion.

The UFC’s busy July continued Saturday with UFC on ESPN 27, which took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas and aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.

The highly anticipated main event of the card saw former UFC bantamweight champion [autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag] (17-4 MMA, 13-4 UFC) make his long-awaited return to the octagon with a split decision win over [autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag] (14-3 MMA, 7-2 UFC).

Dillashaw’s victory was one of several debatable decisions on the card that had multiple notable feats. For more on the numbers, check below for 45 post-event facts to come out of UFC on ESPN 27.

UFC on ESPN 27 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Darren Elkins gets biggest bag

UFC on ESPN 27 fighters took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay, a program that continued after the UFC’s deal with Venum.

LAS VEGAS – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 27 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $135,000.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC on ESPN 27 took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.

The full UFC on ESPN 27 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]T.J. Dillashaw[/autotag]: $16,000
def. [autotag]Cory Sandhagen[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Raulian Paiva[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Kyler Phillips[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Darren Elkins[/autotag]: $21,000
def. [autotag]Darrick Minner[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Maycee Barber[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Miranda Maverick[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Adrian Yanez[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Randy Costa[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Brendan Allen[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Punahele Soriano[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Nassourdine Imavov[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Ian Heinisch[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Mickey Gall[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Jordan Williams[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Julio Arce[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Andre Ewell[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Sijara Eubanks[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Elise Reed[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Diana Belbita[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Hannah Goldy[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2021 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $2,593,500
Program-to-date total: $2,593,500

MMA unpopular opinions, Vol. 1: The Beatles, ‘Die Hard,’ pineapple pizza, and more!

A collection of MMA fighters and personalities share their unpopular opinions that are sure to make you feel a certain way.

Everyone has their unpopular opinions. You have yours, and so do MMA fighters and personalities.

So we asked about them.

Check out the video below to hear from [autotag]Ben Askren[/autotag], [autotag]Ian Heinisch[/autotag], [autotag]Casey Kenney[/autotag], [autotag]Ricardo Lamas[/autotag], [autotag]Julian Marquez[/autotag], [autotag]Gina Mazany[/autotag], [autotag]Brandon Royval[/autotag], and Laura Sanko as they give their takes unpopular opinions on The Beatles, “Die Hard” as a Christmas movie, pineapple pizza, the Paul brothers, Thanksgiving food, and more. You’re bound to feel a certain way.

Watch:

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Got an opinion on these unpopular opinions or one of your own? Discuss in the comments!

The Blue Corner is MMA Junkie’s blog space. We don’t take it overly serious, and neither should you. If you come complaining to us that something you read here is not hard-hitting news, expect to have the previous sentence repeated in ALL CAPS.

UFC 258 medical suspensions: Kamaru Usman among eight facing potential six-month layoff

Welterweight champion Kamaru Usman is among eight fighters who could be facing lengthy time off after UFC 258.

UFC welterweight champion [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] could be sidelined for up to six months after his most recent title defense.

Usman (18-1 MMA, 13-0 UFC), who retained his title after stopping [autotag]Gilbert Burns[/autotag] (19-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) in the third round of the UFC 258 main event, will need doctor clearance for his right foot or he could be looking at a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

Joining Usman with potential 180-day terms is [autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag], who defeated [autotag]Maycee Barber[/autotag] via unanimous decision. Grasso (13-3 MMA, 5-3 UFC) must have an X-ray and MRI on her right knee. Barber (8-2 MMA, 3-2 UFC), who returned after more than a year away, could be facing time on the shelf again, requiring an MRI on her right shoulder.

MMA Junkie on Tuesday obtained the full list of suspensions from MixedMartialArts.com, the Association of Boxing Commissions’ official record keeper.

The full list of UFC 258 medical suspensions includes:

  • Kamaru Usman: Needs X-ray of right foot, and clearance by doctor, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • Gilbert Burns: Needs right eyebrow and left orbital lacerations cleared by doctor, otherwise suspended 45 days; minimum suspension is 30 days.
  • Maycee Barber: Needs MRI of right shoulder, doctor clearance, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • Alexa Grasso: Needs X-ray and MRI of right knee, doctor clearance, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Kelvin Gastelum[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Ian Heinisch[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Ricky Simon[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Brian Kelleher[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Maki Pitolo[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Julian Marquez[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Rodolfo Vieira[/autotag]: Suspended 60 days with 45 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Anthony Hernandez[/autotag]: Needs X-ray of right hand, doctor clearance, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 21 days with 14 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Belal Muhammad[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Dhiego Lima[/autotag]: Needs X-ray of nose, doctor clearance, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 45 days with 30 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Polyana Viana[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Mallory Martin[/autotag]: Needs MRI of right elbow, and clearance by doctor, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Andre Ewell[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Chris Gutierrez[/autotag]: Needs X-ray of nose, doctor clearance, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 30 days with 21 days no contact.
  • [autotag]Gabriel Green[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with 21 days no contact due to left eye laceration.
  • [autotag]Phil Rowe[/autotag]: Needs X-ray of left knee, and clearance by doctor, otherwise suspended 180 days; minimum suspension is 30 days with 21 days no contact.

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UFC 258 post-event facts: Kamaru Usman’s resume hits legendary status

The best facts and figures to come out of UFC 258, which saw Kamaru Usman defend his welterweight title vs. in the main event.

The UFC hosted its second pay-per-view of the year on Saturday with UFC 258, which took place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas with 10 fighters on a heavily-altered card.

In the main event, [autotag]Kamaru Usman[/autotag] (18-1 MMA, 13-0 UFC) showed there’s no going back in the conversation about him being an all-time great in the welterweight division when he battered Gilbert Burns (19-4 MMA, 12-4 UFC) for a third-round TKO to secure his third title defense at 170 pounds.

Usman’s name is all over the record books with the win, and for more on the numbers, check below for 40 post-event facts to come out of UFC 258.

UFC 258 results: Kelvin Gastelum grinds out win over Ian Heinisch, snaps losing streak

Kelvin Gastelum looked sharp as he made a much-needed return to the win column.

It wasn’t pretty, but it was gritty, and that was good enough to get [autotag]Kelvin Gastelum[/autotag] back in the win column Saturday night.

The former interim middleweight title challenger went back to basics and earned himself a main-card victory over [autotag]Ian Heinisch[/autotag] at UFC 258. The judges’ scores at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas were  30-27, 30-27, and 29028, as Gastelum (17-6 MMA, 11-6 UFC) snapped a three-fight losing streak.

“Man it’s been three years since my last win,” Gastelum said in his post-fight interview. “And coming back it’s not easy after I fell and I fell again.”

Heinisch (14-4 MMA, 3-3 UFC) was in the biggest spot of his UFC career and was competitive in the opening round. Twice Heinisch went for Kimuras in the first five minutes. Gastelum was able to get out of danger, though, and then implemented his wrestling game.

Gastelum scored four takedowns over the course of the first two rounds, including a nifty bit of work in turning an attempted Heinisch flying knee into a slam. On several other occasions, Gastelum body locked in the standup and kept Heinisch from generating any offense.

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Heinisch seemed to know that he was down two rounds going into the third, and he turned up the heat. He turned a Gastelum takedown into a submission attempt on the mat and later scored a takedown in the round’s final minute. But Gastelum, who added two more takedowns in the final round for a total career high of six, was never seriously threatened as he wound down the clock and cinched his victory.

The win was the seventh career decision for the “TUF 17” champion. Heinisch has now dropped three of his past four.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 258 results:

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