‘Spend time praying for people instead of talking about them’ – UFC’s Ostovich opens up on assault
UFC fighter Rachael Ostovich has opened up on the attack that left her hospitalized with a broken orbital bone. Her husband, fellow MMA fighter Arnold Berdon, has been arrested on suspicion of second degree attempted murder.
Ostovich, 27, who has posted a 4-4 record in her professional mixed martial arts career thus far, broke her silence for the first time since the assault in Hawaii, which left her hospitalized with a badly broken orbital bone - commonly known as the eye socket - in addition to various other injuries.
In her first message since the incident, Ostovich posted an image to Instagram, imploring people to "spend time praying for people instead of talking about them," along with three ‘prayer’ emojis.
Berdon was arrested following the assault and is currently behind bars in Honolulu.
The two fighters have been married since 2016 and have one daughter together.
Reports state that Berdon is set to claim the incident happened in self-defence, though Ostovich has successfully obtained a restraining order against her husband.
She was set to face Paige VanZant on a January 19 card in Brooklyn, New York, which was to be broadcast like on ESPN, however her injuries have since forced her to withdraw from what would have been the biggest bout of her career thus far.
"A very unfortunate incident occurred Sunday night with Rachael Ostovich that ended with her suffering a fractured orbital and other injuries," read a statement released by Ostovich’s management group Sucker Punch Entertainment.
"Rachael is now home from the hospital with family and will be going back for further check ups on her orbital. 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."
