Ian Heinisch has found a unique place in the combat sports space following his exit from UFC competition.
Heinisch, a seven-fight UFC veteran who went 14-5 in his overall career, now serves as president and commentator for Bare Knuckle Ice Wars, an entity that features cards filled with hockey-style fights.
After competing in his final octagon appearance in July 2021, Heinisch has spent recent years working with Bare Knuckle Ice Wars, which holds its fifth event on Sept. 5 at River Cree Resort & Casino in Enoch, Alberta, Canada (Online pay-per-view).
Heinisch said he sees great potential in the product.
What is Bare Knuckle Ice Wars?
"It's a brand new sport," Heinisch told MMA Junkie Radio. "Everybody now is in this TikTok-brain era where they don't have these long attention
spans. What Ice Wars brings you is fast, violent, quick, three one-minute rounds, and you really can't get up to go the bathroom because there's just no feeling each other out. These guys brawl on the ice."
Heinisch said there are currently four weight classes for Bare Knuckle Ice Wars at 150, 170, 190, and 200-plus pounds. The ability to throw hands is a critical requirement for anyone wanting to compete, Heinisch said, but perhaps more important is the ability to stay upright.
"You've got to be able to skate, man," Heinisch said. "If you can't skate, it doesn't put on a good fight. You fall, and when you keep falling on that hard ice, you take damage. So even though they're taking damage, you want to see exciting, dynamic fights. You have to be able to skate."
Bare Knuckle Ice Wars expansion coming soon?
As with any new sport, there comes a period of education and required regulation. Heinisch said this style of fighting is already sanctioned in Florida, Nebraska and Pennsylvania, with aspirations of growth in the U.S. in the coming year.
"We're looking to, by the end of the year or beginning of next year, be sanctioned in 40 states," Heinisch said. "We're taking it step by step because right now we have an amazing casino that hosts us in Alberta, Canada, but next year we want to make our big push for the United States."
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: UFC veteran details role as president of Bare Knuckle Ice Wars
