Rachael Ostovich is competing for the first time since allegedly being attacked by her husband at UFC Fight Night Brooklyn, facing Paige VanZant.
Greg Hardy makes his UFC debut on the same card and despite his history with domestic violence, everything is all good with Ostovich according to UFC President Dana White.
“I called Rachael Ostovich and talked to her and walked her through this situation,” White today told Aaron Bronsteter TSN. “And her take on it was, ‘His story isn’t my story. Everybody’s story is different, and I believe in second chances. I have no problem fighting on the same card as this guy.’ He didn’t do anything to Rachael Ostovich. She was totally cool with it. Obviously, having her support was a key factor in making that decision.”
There was a lot of controversy swirling around the UFC for having Hardy compete on the same card as Ostovich, which is something Hardy’s opponent in Allen Crowder brought up as well.
White says he was against Ostovich fighting on the card after the injuries she suffered in the attack, but a phone call from the fighter changed everything.
“Rachael was off the card because of what happened,” White said. “Then she called me back – first of all, I wasn’t letting her fight after what had just happened to her. There was no way she could fight right now; she needs to take some time. She called me and gave me 75 reasons why she needs to be on this card, and I agreed with her, and so we did it.”
UFC Fight Night Brooklyn takes place on Saturday, January 19 from the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York with Henry Cejudo and TJ Dillashaw headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which streams live on ESPN+.
