After targeting Derek Brunson following his most recent win, Ian Heinish has had his wish granted, as the pair will face off at UFC 241.
Ian Heinisch had some pointed comments for Derek Brunson following the former’s co-main event win at UFC Rochester a couple of weeks back. Heinisch, who found himself promoted to co-main status when Neil Magny was forced out of his fight with Vincente Luque, overcame the tough Antonio Carlos Junior to make the most of the opportunity.
Post-fight, he singled out Derek Brunson as a possible future opponent. Why? Well, because “watching his last fight didn’t really impress me that much,” Heinisch told reporters including Cageside Press following the bout.
Wish granted. On Friday, Heinisch himself announced on social media that he’d be facing Derek Brunson at UFC 241 in Anaheim, CA this August. It’s a fight that booked itself thanks to Heinisch’s comments, and Brunson’s win over the recently departed Elias Theodorou a couple of weeks earlier at UFC Ottawa.
Brunson (19–7) snapped a two fight skid with the win over Theodorou in Ottawa. Those losses came against Israel Adesanya and Jacare Souza, mind you. Overall, Brunson is 3-2 in his past five UFC fights.
Heinisch (13-1) is now 2-0 since winning his way into the UFC on the Contender Series. Both victories have come by way of decision. A redemption story — Heinisch did hard time after getting involved in the drug trade — has caught the interest of fans, which means if he keeps winning, the UFC promotional machine could give him a significant push.
UFC 241 takes place August August 17, 2019 at the Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Daniel Cormier and Stipe Miocic meet for the second time in the PPV card’s main event.
