The UFC has dealt with heavy criticism for its decision to book former NFL player Greg Hardy’s Octagon debut on the same event as women’s flyweight Rachael Ostovich.
Ostovich was allegedly assaulted by her husband and fellow MMA fighter Arnold Berdon, who has since pleaded not guilty to assault charges. Hardy was found guilty of assaulting his ex-girlfriend in 2014, only for those charges to be expunged when the victim failed to appear in court for a jury trial after Hardy appealed his sentence. He has not been on an NFL team since the 2015 season, and has since turned to a career in MMA, with the UFC signing him to a “developmental contract” earlier this year.