Heinisch signs new 4-fight UFC contract

Middleweight Ian Heinisch revealed exclusively on Monday's theScoreMMA Podcast that he's signed a new multi-fight deal with the UFC.

“I actually just signed a new four-fight contract," Heinisch told theScore. "So I was super excited about that. And I have a fight announcement coming up soon. I can't quite give away the location and date. But it (will be) pretty soon."

For the first time in his career, Heinisch (13-3) is coming off back-to-back losses, which prompted a change of scenery. A longtime member of the prestigious Factory X gym in Colorado, the 31-year-old said he's relocating to Thailand to train at Tiger Muay Thai.

"I've always dreamed about learning the actual Muay Thai from the Thais," Heinisch explained. He added, "I went out there for five weeks and I just fell in love with it, man. I felt like God was calling me to move out there. It was a tough decision, man, because I love my family at Factory X and I love Colorado, and all my family is here. But I felt like there was so many distractions out here. The environment was just so different."

While many fighters enjoy training at elevation in Colorado to boost their cardio, Heinisch felt it had a negative effect on him.

"The elevation just didn't really agree with my body. ... I got good, like, lung power, but my body would never recover here. I was always, like, in pain," Heinisch said. "I went out (to Thailand) and I felt so good. The training was so good. ... It was a real fighter life. There was a street where there was two MMA gyms, like 12 Muay Thai gyms, all healthy food restaurants, massage. It was so cheap, like nine bucks for a massage, three dollars for a meal at a nice restaurant. I just fell in love."

Heinisch, his wife, and former UFC welterweight Nate Marquardt all plan on moving to Thailand once coronavirus-related travel restrictions are lifted.

Watch Heinisch on theScoreMMA Podcast's weekly Q&A Livestream and subscribe to our YouTube channel here.