From two-time Colorado state wrestling champion to drug addict and dealer, to Rikers Island inmate, to rising UFC star, Ian Heinisch has seen a lot in his life.
At 31 years old, Heinisch (13-1) is looking to make the most of his second chance. Ranked No. 10 among UFC’s middleweights, he’s set to face No. 8 Derek Brunson (19-7) on the main card of UFC 241 on Saturday in Anaheim, Calif.
Last November, he wrote a piece for The Players’ Tribune detailing his before finding sobriety and newfound purpose. Now his dreams are of fighting for a UFC title and starting a halfway house to rehabilitate kids who were imprisoned.
At Ponderosa, Heinisch won state titles in 2006-07 as a sophomore and a junior at 160 and 189 pounds, respectively. But his prep career came to a halt when he was expelled as a senior. From there he fell into the world of drug trafficking and ultimately prison.
In his Players’ Tribute piece, he wrote: “Prison means you don’t deserve to be part of society. But it doesn’t mean you don’t get to be human.
“I’ve seen rock bottom. And what happens at Rikers, and all over country should not happen — under any circumstance. I want, as much as anything, to be a small part of a massive issue in our country. I’ve fought for my life for long enough. I want to fight for others now.
“Look, I know how fortunate I am now. There’s a very small group of people who have believed in me since Day One. My parents, my sister, a close group of friends and God. Thatap it. I understand what I owe them. And I’m going to do everything I can to take advantage of the position I’m in.”
— , The Denver Post
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What’s on Tap?
- Rockies: Miami Marlins, 6:40 p.m. Friday, ATTRM |
- Rockies: Miami Marlins, 6:10 p.m. Saturday, ATTRM |
- Rapids: At Houston Dynamo, 7 p.m. Saturday, ALT |
- Rockies: Miami Marlins, 1:10 p.m. Sunday, ATTRM |
TV/RADIO: Here’s what sports are airing today
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Must-Read
For Broncos TE Noah Fant, “blueprint” was provided by 49ers’ George Kittle at Iowa
The former Iowa tight ends, who played together in 2016, will reunite during 49ers-Broncos practices. Read more…
Rockies’ Kyle Freeland taking small steps forward on comeback path
Since returning, he’s 1-4 with a 7.01 ERA. That hardly seems like a stellar comeback but Freeland insists he’s made steps forward. Read more…
Avalanche GM Joe Sakic on unsigned Mikko Rantanen: “We want him here for training camp.”
Rantanen, 22, is among a half-dozen high-end restricted free-agent forwards coming out their entry-level contracts. Read more…
Quick Hits
+ Rockies Insider: Colorado’s in the running to be labeled as the worst team in the National League
+ 49ers arrive for two practices ahead of Monday’s game against Broncos
+ Dale Earnhardt Jr. survives plane crash in Tennessee, sister says
+ ESPN hires Jack Del Rio, former Broncos defensive coordinator, as analyst
+ CU Buffs WR Daniel Arias focused on constant improvement
+ Wide receiver Jeremiah Pruitte joins CSU Rams football team
+ Pac-12 finds unlikely ally: Nick Saban wants tougher schedules
+ could include experience, training and insurance
Post Mailbag forms
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+ Rockies Mailbag: Have a question about the team? .
By The Numbers
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How many wins knuckleball pitchers have had in the MLB in 2019 so far. Read more…
Parting Shot
With playoff hopes basically dead, Rockies rally around the resilience of the … cockroach?
The cockroach has been around in some form for about 300 million years, as the repulsive insectap proven to be an extraordinarily resilient species. Read more…
Get in Touch
If you see something thatap cause for question or have a comment, thought or suggestion, email me at dboniface@denverpost.com or tweet me .
