"I couldn’t hide it anymore" - Former UFC fighter recalls alarming incident that forced him to retire from MMA
Ian Heinisch, a former UFC middleweight, opened up about the harrowing journey that led to his retirement from mixed martial arts due to brain trauma. In July 2023, Heinisch announced an indefinite break from the sport, a decision that stemmed from symptoms he could no longer ignore.
Speaking to MMA Junkie at the 16th Annual World MMA Awards, the former LFA champion said:
"Man, I hid it for probably a year-and-a-half. 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."
Heinisch attributes his recovery to treatments like stem cell therapy and time away from contact sports. Despite regaining his health, he remains reflective about the emotional toll of stepping away from a sport that changed his life:
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.”
A look into Ian Heinisch’s career in the UFC
Ian Heinisch’s UFC journey began with a bang when he knocked out Justin Sumter in Dana White's Contender Series on July 31, 2018. This victory secured him a contract with the promotion and set the stage for a career marked by impressive highs and challenging setbacks.
Heinisch made his UFC debut on Nov. 17, 2018, stepping in as a late replacement against Cezar Ferreira at UFC Fight Night: Magny vs. Ponzinibbio. He showcased his grit, winning via unanimous decision.
The Colorado native followed it up with another unanimous decision victory against Antônio Carlos Júnior at UFC Fight Night: dos Anjos vs. Lee in May 2019.
However, Heinisch’s momentum waned as he faced top-tier competition. Losses to Derek Brunson, Omari Akhmedov, and Kelvin Gastelum tested his resilience. Despite setbacks, he delivered notable performances, including a first-round TKO victory over Gerald Meerschaert in June 2020.
Injuries and COVID-19 disruptions interrupted his schedule multiple times, affecting his consistency in the octagon. Heinisch’s last fight was a technical knockout loss to Nassourdine Imavov in July 2021.
On July 20, 2023, Heinisch announced his retirement from MMA to focus on treating concussion issues, concluding his UFC career.