Despite initial reports that the fight would be called off, flyweight UFC fighter Rachael Ostovich has stated that she wants her scheduled fight against Paige VanZant at UFC Fight Night 143 to move forward as planned.
Ostovich had suffered a broken orbital bone after her husband, Arnold Berdon, allegedly attacked her on November 18. After the attack, Ostovich filed for a restraining order against Berdon, stating that he had repeatedly punched her in the head and ribs and caused her to spit up blood. Berdon was charged with second-degree assault.
Ostovich’s manager, Brian Butler-Au, initially said that Ostovich would have to withdraw from the fight, but now, the fighter says she wants to move forward with the bout and use her platform to speak up about domestic violence. Butler-Au told MMAJunkie that Ostovich’s broken orbital is expected to be healed in time for the January 19 fight.
Ostovich told Hawaii’s Khon2, “Although this is a very difficult time for me and my family, I felt like this fight in January was important. I felt that it was extremely important to 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. 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.”
