LAS VEGAS ā Ian Heinisch remained silent, until he couldnāt take it anymore. He just wanted to feel normal, a state he hadnāt 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 āretirement, due to brain trauma. Heinisch credits MMA for turning his life around, so stepping away was heart-wrenching, though necessary.
āMan, I hid it for probably a year-and-a-half,ā Heinisch told MMA Junkie on the 16th Annual World MMA Awards red carpet. āWhen I was supposed to fight Sam Alvey, I had to pull out of that fight. I couldnāt hide it anymore. I couldnāt go to the gym. I didnāt 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, āOK, my only priority right now is to feel normal again.ā Luckily, through stem cells and CPI and all these different treatments and just time, not getting hit, Iām feeling good. Iām still training, not doing anything contact. But I love this sport, man. It chose me, and now itās been taken from me. It sucks, but my heart is still here for the people and I love my journey.ā
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.
āAt one point, I didnāt care if I fought again,ā Heinisch said. āI didnāt care about anything except to feel normal again. It was to that point. If youāre struggling with that, man, Iām telling you, rest your brain. It can heal, but youāve got to let it rest. It was tough. It was one of the hardest decisions of my life. Iāve 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. Iām blessed in this journey. God is using me for where Iām at now.ā
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.
āIām blessed to have the career and the platform but now itās business,ā Heinisch said.
Absolutely nothing to do with his extreme drug and alcohol abuse problems.