Some mixed martial arts (MMA) fans are likely to be disappointed to learn that Rachael Ostovich was forced to withdraw from her Paige VanZant fight, scheduled for promotion’s upcoming debut on ESPN+ on Jan. 19, 2019 inside Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
I gotta be honest with you here folks, I don’t really give a shit about a dopey cage fight, the real bummer is learning that Ostovich suffered “head injuries” in what police have now labeled a “second-degree assault” last Sunday in Honolulu.
While details are a bit scarce at the moment, Marc Raimondi reports that Ostovich was allegedly assaulted by her 27 year-old husband, Titan FC veteran Arnold Berdon, suffering a broken orbital bone in the process.
No arrests have been made at this time.
“Rachael is now home from the hospital with family and will be going back for further check ups on her orbital,” a statement from Sucker Punch Entertainment read (via MMA Fighting). “The family would like to ask for some privacy as they sort through this matter. We would like to thank the UFC for all their support on this matter as well as the fans and media for your concern.”
Ostovich (4-4) rose to fame on The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 26 and has since split a pair of fights inside the Octagon. UFC has not released a statement on last Sunday’s incident but is expected to find a replacement for VanZant.
Stay tuned for additional updates to this still-developing story, as they become available.