Rachael Ostovich wants to take a stand by returning to UFC card after domestic violence attack
After being hospitalized earlier this month from a domestic violence attack, UFC flyweight Rachael Ostovich is set to move forward with Jan. 19’s UFC Fight Night card — something that was in jeopardy since the incident.
Ostovich wanted to move forward with her bout with Paige VanZant at the Barclays Center early next year not only because she had initially committed to it, but she wanted to take a stand.
“Although this is a very difficult time for me and my family, I felt that this fight in January was important,” Ostovich told KHON sports director Rob DeMello. “I felt that it was extremely important for me to follow through with it — not only for me, but first for my daughter and other people that might be going through similar situations.”
EXCLUSIVE: #UFC’s Rachael Ostovich speaks publicly for first time since hospitalization https://t.co/SfUHb41zQm pic.twitter.com/0pjxRXWvHX
— Rob DeMello (@RobDeMelloKHON) November 29, 2018
Ostovich was hospitalized, suffered broken bone in face
Ostovich suffered a broken orbital bone — the bone around her eye — in an attack on Nov. 18. Her husband Arnold Berdon, a professional MMA fighter, was later arrested as a suspect in the attack, and the Honolulu police department said that a domestic violence incident had been opened.
According to KHON, Ostovich had filed a petition for a temporary restraining order, and has filed for divorce. Berdon has pleaded not guilty to a second-degree assault charge, and posted bail.
Ostovich’s management initially said the fight was off after the incident, however the 27-year-old said she never intended to pull out. She made the decision to continue with the bout after seeking a second opinion on her injuries, and said that she wanted to make a statement by coming back to fight.
“I want to take a stand against domestic violence and show others that it’s OK to come out and speak about it and not be quieted,” Ostovich told KHON. “I feel like I have to do this. This is something that can’t be taken away from me. I want to use this big, worldwide UFC platform to show people that don’t let anyone or anything come between you and your dreams and your career.”
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