Rachael Ostovich, much like her longtime rival Paige VanZant, has parlayed her success in combat sports into a remunerative modeling career at her own official website. So then why is the former UFC strawweight risking her lucrative looks to compete in bare-knuckle boxing?
Because Ostovich is a fighter first.
“If I really cared that much about my face, I wouldn’t even be in MMA. So we’re already 10 years too late,” Ostovich told MMA Fighting. “We are fighters first. It’s not that serious. I know people like to think it is but it’s really not that serious. We are fighters. It’s just funny how people are. People always have something to say.”
That sentiment was echoed by VanZant, who rematches Ostovich in the BKFC 19 headliner this Friday night (July 23) in Tampa. “12 Gauge” recently told the combat sports media that whatever damage she incurs inside the ring can eventually be fixed by plastic surgery.
A foregone conclusion, based on the latest scouting report from Ostovich.
“I did feel like I was the better striker in our last fight,” Ostovich continued. “I went into that fight, I had a broken orbital going into that fight so I wasn’t trying to stand with her, so I kept taking her down. There was a lot of grappling there. When I look back at my fight with her, I wish I could have stood up more. I am excited for this boxing match because it is just stand up.”
Ostovich parted ways with UFC after losing three straight and getting finished in all three losses, which includes her submission defeat to VanZant at UFC Fight Night 143. “12 Gauge” joined the gloveless promotion last February but fell to Britain Hart by decision.
“I never thought I would be part of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship promotion,” Ostovich said. “I really didn’t think I would ever do that, but they gave me Paige and I’ve been wanting that rematch, so I’ll take it however I can get it. Money talks.”
For the rest of the BKFC 19 fight card and FITE TV lineup click here.