Ian Heinisch details how brain injuries forced UFC retirement

LAS VEGAS – Ian Heinisch 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.”

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.