Rachael Ostovich vs Paige VanZant is officially back on for UFC Fight Night in Brooklyn on January 19.
It was believed that Ostovich would be unable to compete after reportedly suffering a broken orbital bone earlier this month at the hands of her husband, but she has since been cleared to compete. Speaking publicly for the first since the incident, Ostovich tells Honolulu’s KHON2:
”Although this is a very difficult time for me and my family, I felt that this fight in January was important,” she said. “I felt that it was extremely important to me to follow through with it and not only for me but 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 okay to come out and speak about it and not be quieted.”
”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.”
Ostovich was hospitalized late last month with serious injuries, including a broken orbital bone. Ostovich's husband, MMA fighter Arnold Berdon, was later arrested on attempted murder charges. You can see the damage inflicted during the attack here.
Hawaii News Now reported that Ostovich described how Berdon punched her repeatedly on the head, face, and ribs during the attack which left her gasping for breath. Also in the temporary restraining order, obtained by Hawaii News Now, Ostovich wrote how she had to escape through the balcony and that she coughed up blood and vomited several times.
Despite all of that, she never wanted to pull out of the VanZant fight which is the biggest bout of her career. According to MMA site Bloody Elbow, Ostovich is currently 1-1 in the UFC, and 4-4 overall. VanZant, 24, has not fought since she broke her arm in a loss to Jessica Rose-Clark last January.