Rachael Ostovich, the flyweight fighter of UFC who is up for her fight this 19th in Brooklyn, New York, said ESPN on Monday that she has no issues with Greg Hardy fighting on the same card. “Nobody’s story is the same, nobody’s situation is the same,” Ostovich said on Ariel Helwani’s MMA Show. “I have nothing to do with Greg Hardy.
I’m just grateful to be fighting again. “I believe in second chances. I’m glad he’s making a turnaround. I hope the same can happen to my husband and anyone else who has made the wrong choice.” The 27 years old had to suffer from an orbital bone fracture, which is said to be due to assault by her husband, Arnold Berdon, who is also a professional MMA fighter.
It occurred in November. His husband was arrested and also was charged with second-degree assault. Due to the incident, Ostovich’s management initially declared that she would not confront Paige VanZant on the scheduled date. However, she then was given the clearance in this regard.
Ostovich said the UFC wished the clearance regarding being included in the list post the promotion decided against including him in it. UFC president Dana White stated TSN in the earlier month about him talking to Ostovich prior booking Hardy. Ostovich too had to say that the UFC initially did not wish her to be there on the card but later accepted after she pushed for it. “[White] was very caring and nice about it,” Ostovich said.
“I know he gets a lot of heat, but there’s no fishiness surrounding that thing. He was very concerned with my situation from the very beginning. He didn’t even want me to fight. I had to convince and beg him to let me fight.” Ostovich says that the VanZant matchup as “the biggest fight of my career” and also stated that there was no chance of her making back out of it.
“I had every reason to drop out, but this fight was so much bigger than just me and my problems,” Ostovich said. “I want to be able to inspire and motivate others. Show people that you can do whatever you set your mindset too. We all go through problems. Everyone goes through struggles like me, and maybe even worse. You can do whatever you set your mind to.”
