Next for Ian Heinisch (#16)

Heinisch lost his place in the official rankings after dropping a unanimous decision to Kelvin Gastelum (#8) at UFC 258. 

He is a power puncher with a wrestling base and excellent size. Tapology has him ranked just outside the Top 15 at #16 in the middleweight division. 

So, WHO SHOULD HEINISCH FIGHT NEXT?


1. Edmen Shahbazyan (#12) - Both guys coming off loses, the UFC may decide to pit Heinisch against The Golden Boy because they believe it is a winnable fight for the prospect Shahbazyan. It would provide Shahbazyan with a legitimate test in his return fight after coming off his first loss of his pro career last August. 


2. Krzysztof Jotko (#17) - A legit guy at 185, Jotko has won his last 3 fights. He has been inactive for 9 months, but is seemingly healthy, training at American Top Team, Coconut Creek. This fight would represent an evenly matched middleweight fight, for two men hovering just outside the rankings. 


3. Makhmud Muradov (#18) - An exciting prospect with serious buzz amongst the hardcores and Central Asian/ Muslim fans, Muradov could see his next test versus a bigger name in Heinisch. Its a winnable fight for Muradov and the next step to progress his career towards the rankings. Very possible we see this one next. 


4. Brendan Allen (#21) - Both guys have some clout, both guys have touched the Top 15, and both guys are coming from losses. A fun, evenly matched fight, and another probable matchup for Heinisch next. 


5.  Andrew Sanchez (#24) - Sanchez' last opponent was Muradov, who is also on this list. Both Sanchez and Heinisch have similar body types and fighting styles: thick brawlers. It would be an evenly matched bout between power punchers. A win for fans. 

* Edited at 02.16.2021, 4:41 PM ET *

I like the Shahbazyan fight, and could see them going that way. If Weidman beats Hall I could absolutely see them making Weidman V Heinisch like Dan Hardy said on his most recent poddy (it'd be a good way to continue to rebuild Weidman's confidence). He's already fought Omari or I'd say that's a good bet, but they won't rematch those two. Actually, after a hypothetical loss to Weidman I could see them making Hall V Heinisch too. I think Weidman and Shahbazyan would be decent picks, or I could see them making Strickland (the guy that took his spot in the rankings) V Heinisch since Heinisch by no means embarrassed himself against the #8 Kelvin, and it was debatable IMO that he even lost to Brunson in their fight. I do think he gets at least 1 more ranked opponent for his next opponent since he's proven he can hang. 

PS I'm excited for Strickland to finally be ranked at 185, can't wait to see who he pulls next!

Maxis,

Like you I'm a big fan of Strickland too. He's super tough, crazy, and an excellent boxer with well-rounded grappling skills. 

And since Heinisch has a fun fight style its hard to make a bad matchup for him. All the matchups you mentioned are possible and make sense.

Versus Shabazyan would be cool. When do you think we would see it?

Versus Weidman would be a little boring but versus Hall would be cool. But we will only see Heinisch versus Hall if Hall loses. If Hall (#9) wins he will fight up. 

So based on your suggestions its: Shabzyan or Hall for me. 

And go ahead and comment on my other "fights to make" posts regarding Burns, Usman, etc. I look forward to your thoughts. 

I think Muradov would be a mistake, no name value and very dangerous. Athough picking on Sanchez may not get him back into the rankings it could do him wonders taking on lighter competition and gaining a confidence boost while working on technical improvements. Ian certainly has the size and physicality to be elite, I think he just needs to hone the finer details of his game.

Bullfrog, 

Muradov may be a bad matchup for Heinisch....but UFC may want it. Heinisch might not see the danger in Muradov (although we recognize it) ...and the UFC may look to build Muradov by pitting him against Heinisch. 

Muradov is an exciting prospect and I realized that befire the Sanchez fight. Plus, outside the US, he has a big fandom. 

The fight versus Sanchez makes a lot of sense. They both kind of look the same, with similar physical features and fight style. Im always intrigued when the fight looks like the two competitor are so physically similar. Plus their fight style is so evenly matched.

Like I said in my post to Maxis, Heinisch is a brawler so its hard to make a bad matchup for him. 

Muradov would probably style on him in the standup, move, circle, and break him over time. The Sanchez fight would be more of a car crash.

* Edited at 02.16.2021, 5:33 PM ET *

I was viewing the question from Ian's point of view. Muradov is a rising new comer, Allen and Shahbazyan are proven killers, and Jotko is finally living up to his potential now that he is in a good camp. That leaves Sanchez whose chin and defensive wrestling is questionable. Sanchez is a tough but beatable opponent who can keep Ian busy while he improves skills before going into a serious camp. 

Bullfrog... I see that Heinisch v Sanchez fighter super even....let’s see what the UFC comes up with in the next few months for him