THE CANADIAN PRESS
Studying to be a mechanical engineer is hard enough without someone hitting you in the head on a regular basis.
But Edmonton’s Ryan Heck cheerfully balances his studies at the University of Alberta with a promising mixed martial arts career. The fifth-year student looks to improve to 5-0 as a fighter Friday night when he takes on American Donald Sanchez at MFC 14 at Edmonton’s River Cree Resort and Casino.
Adding to his busy schedule, the five-foot-six lightweight also works eight hours a week part time for an engineering company.
"Because that’s really all the time I have to do," explained Heck, who’s due to graduate in December.
"My daily schedule pretty much consists of I go to school in the morning, do some work after that and then train in the evenings after supper," he added. "Pretty much all my spare time’s eaten up by the gym."
Heck, 24, normally walks around at 170 to 175 pounds but has to get down to 155 to make lightweight. That means a miserly day’s menu such as chicken and rice and a bowl of Rice Krispies as he cuts weight.
Stay connected to Sportsnet.ca this week for features, video and results from Canada’s sports home for mixed martial arts. Friday: Feature on Ryan Ford
With a record of 9-5, Sanchez has been around the block and won his last MFC fight, taking a unanimous decision over Ryan McGillivray at MFC 13 in August.
"McGillivray’s a buddy of mine so I was paying attention to the fight anyway," Heck said. "He (Sanchez) is pretty well-rounded, he looks like he has a little bit of skills wherever it went. And good cardio. But I think I’ll beat him, that’s for sure." Heck’s specialty is jiu-jitsu and all four of his wins have come via submission in the first round. No fight has lasted more than three minutes 44 seconds.
"I really enjoy the ground fighting," he said.
"I’m not scared to stand with him. Generally that’s my comfort zone, the ground."
Heck believes that will stand him in good stead against Sanchez, whom he believes would rather strike than grapple on the ground.
He started learning jiu-jitsu four years ago when he moved from Salmon Arm, B.C., to Edmonton for university. During high school, his sports were BMX racing and snowboarding.
"It just seemed really fun," he said of the decision to take up jiu-jitsu. "I was always such a little guy. I decided I want to learn how to fight and take care of myself. It just turned out I started winning competitions and I really really enjoyed it."
The winner of the Heck-Sanchez fight could in be in line for a shot at the vacant MFC lightweight title.
"I definitely want to take it as far as I can, basically," Heck said. "So first step is being the MFC champ and then, after that, see if we go down to the UFC and take it from there."
His part-time job as an engineer at Concord Well Servicing will become full time when he graduates and Heck says his employers have been understanding about his fighting.
"It’s totally two separate worlds. It’s pretty different. They find it hard to believe I fight in a cage."
His company services oil rigs and is starting to build its own rigs and parts. Heck models parts on a computer in 3-D, making drawings for machinists to follow.
The low-key Heck says he doesn’t advertise his fighting role. "I stay pretty low."
That’s shown by the fact that Heck has no nickname.
One wonders why not. How about Ryan (Give ’em) Heck?
