Rachael Ostovich (born February 25, 1991)[2] is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Flyweight division. A professional since 2014, she has competed in the UFC and Invicta Fighting Championships.[3][4] After being released from the UFC, she made her debut for Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship in 2021.

Rachael Ostovich
Ostovich poses after weigh-in for UFC on ESPN+ 1 in 2019
BornRachael Ostovich
(1991-02-25) February 25, 1991 (age 33)
Hawaii, United States
Height5 ft 3 in (1.60 m)
Weight125 lb (57 kg; 8.9 st)
DivisionFlyweight
Reach62 in (157 cm)
StyleBoxing, Judo
TeamJesus Is Lord[1]
Mixed martial arts record
Total10
Wins4
By submission2
By decision2
Losses6
By knockout3
By submission3
Amateur record
Total6
Wins6
By knockout2
By submission1
By decision3
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

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Ostovich attended Moanalua High School and competed in cheerleading, judo, and wrestling.[1][5] She began wrestling at 7 years of age, followed by cheerleading after seeing Bring It On, and judo in the off-season. She became team captain for all three sports in high school.[6] Ostovich placed third at the 2008 HHSAA judo state championships, and placed first in 2009.[7] She also placed first in the state for cheerleading, and third for wrestling.[6]

Ostovich was a mixed martial arts (MMA) fan from childhood, citing her father Robert "Bob-O" Ostovich and Gina Carano as inspirations. Her father is a former professional fighter, trainer, and promoter. Her brother Robby is also a professional fighter.[6][8][9][10] She trains out of her family's gym, Jesus Is Lord. Ostovich originally began training for MMA because she wanted to continue competing in sports after high school.[1][6]

Mixed martial arts career

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Early career

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Ostovich began her amateur MMA career in 2010. Over the next three years, she compiled an amateur MMA record of 6–0, winning the 808 Battle Ground bantamweight championship, Destiny flyweight and bantamweight championships.[1][6]

Ostovich made her professional MMA debut in January 2014 in her native Hawaii. She went 1–1 before joining Invicta Fighting Championships

Invicta FC

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Ostovich debuted for the all-female Invicta Fighting Championships in December 2014. She faced Evva Johnson at Invicta FC 10 and won the fight by split decision.[11]

In her second bout for the promotion, Ostovich faced Andrea Lee on September 12, 2015, at Invicta FC 14. She lost the bout via verbal submission to an armbar in the third round.[12]

In her third bout for the promotion, Ostovich faced Ariel Beck on May 7, 2016, at Invicta FC 17.[13] She won the bout via a split decision.[14]

In her fourth fight for the promotion, Ostovich faced Christine Ferea on January 14, 2017, at Invicta FC 21.[15][16] She lost the fight via TKO in the third round, bringing her Invicta FC record to 2–2 before joining The Ultimate Fighter.[17]

The Ultimate Fighter

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In August 2017, it was announced that Ostovich would be one of the fighters featured on The Ultimate Fighter 26, where the process to crown the UFC's inaugural 125-pound women's champion will take place.[18] In the opening round, Ostovich defeated Melinda Fábián by rear-naked choke submission.[19] In the quarterfinals, she faced Barb Honchak and lost the bout via unanimous decision.[20]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

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Ostovich faced Karine Gevorgyan on December 1, 2017, at The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale.[21] She won the fight via armbar submission in the first round.[22]

Ostovich faced Montana De La Rosa on July 6, 2018, at The Ultimate Fighter 27 Finale.[23] She lost the fight via rear-naked choke in round three.[24]

 
Ostovich interviewed after defeat at UFC on ESPN+ 1 in 2019. Her arm is in a sling from the armbar.

Ostovich was scheduled to face Paige VanZant on January 19, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 1.[25] It was reported on November 18, 2018, that Ostovich was violently assaulted, sustaining a broken orbital bone and other injuries,[26] and due to the injuries she sustained, she pulled out from the fight against VanZant.[27] On November 27, the bout between Ostovich and VanZant was confirmed to push through on January 19, 2019, after Ostovich was cleared to fight by her doctor.[28] Ostovich lost the fight by submission via armbar in the second round.[29]

Ostovich was scheduled to face Veronica Macedo on August 10, 2019, at UFC on ESPN+ 14, but Ostovich was replaced by Polyana Viana for unknown reasons.[30]

Ostovich was scheduled to face Shana Dobson at UFC Fight Night 168 in Auckland, New Zealand on February 23, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 168.[31] However, Ostovich was removed from the bout due to testing positive for ostarine, and she was replaced by Priscila Cachoeira.[32] On June 18, it was announced that Ostovich had accepted a USADA suspension for one year due to testing positive for ostarine, retroactive to January 3, 2020.[33]

Ostovich tested positive for Ostarine and GW1516 on January 3, 2020, and she was suspended by USADA for eight months. The prohibited substance was found in one of her supplements and was not listed on the supplement label.[34]

Ostovich faced Gina Mazany on November 28, 2020, at UFC on ESPN: Blaydes vs. Lewis.[35] She lost the fight via third round TKO from body kicks.[36]

After 3 straight losses, Ostovich was released by the UFC on December 7, 2020.[37]

Bare-knuckle boxing

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On April 27, 2021, Ostovich and Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship both announced that she had signed with the organization and is expected to make her debut in July.[38] On May 27, 2021, it was announced that Ostovich is scheduled to face Paige VanZant – whom she lost to in mixed martial arts at UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw – at BKFC 19 on July 23, 2021.[39] She won the bout via unanimous decision.[40] This fight earned her the Fight of the Night award.[41]

Personal life

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Domestic violence

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On November 18, 2018, Ostovich was assaulted in her hometown of Honolulu, leaving her with a broken orbital bone.[42] The perpetrator is alleged to be her husband, Arnold Berdon, who is also an MMA fighter. Ostovich filed and was granted a temporary restraining order against her husband effective until May 19, 2019. Berdon was arrested on November 20, 2018, for second-degree assault (felony) and he was released on a bond of $75,000. The case was investigated by the Honolulu Police Department.[43] A nine-minute video taken by a witness and obtained by Hawaii News Now captures Berdon repeatedly saying "I’m going to murder you. I’m going to fucking murder you," and Ostovich’s cries for help. On December 20, 2018, Berdon plead not guilty in connection with the case. The trial's next hearing was in March 2019, where Berdon pleaded no contest on the case.[44][45][46]

After a night out with family, (Arnold Berdon) punched me repeatedly on the head, face, ribs, making me fall to the ground. I gasped for breath and escaped thru [sic] balcony. I coughed up blood, threw up sev. [sic] times. Cracked orbital.[47]

The sentencing took place on May 16, 2019, in a Honolulu court and Berdon was sentenced to four-year probation in a domestic assault. Ostovich's divorce decree was filed with full custody of their six-year-old daughter.[48]

Championships and accomplishments

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Bare-knuckle boxing

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
10 matches 4 wins 6 losses
By knockout 0 3
By submission 2 3
By decision 2 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 4–6 Gina Mazany KO (body kick) UFC on ESPN: Smith vs. Clark November 28, 2020 3 4:10 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 4–5 Paige VanZant Submission (armbar) UFC Fight Night: Cejudo vs. Dillashaw January 19, 2019 2 1:50 Brooklyn, New York, United States
Loss 4–4 Montana De La Rosa Submission (rear-naked choke) The Ultimate Fighter: Undefeated Finale July 6, 2018 3 4:21 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Win 4–3 Karine Gevorgyan Submission (armbar) The Ultimate Fighter: A New World Champion Finale December 1, 2017 1 1:40 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Catchweight (130 lb) bout; Gevorgyan missed weight.
Loss 3–3 Christine Ferea TKO (head kick and punches) Invicta FC 21: Anderson vs. Tweet January 14, 2017 3 1:29 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win 3–2 Ariel Beck Decision (split) Invicta FC 17: Evinger vs. Schneider May 7, 2016 3 5:00 Costa Mesa, California, United States Fight of the Night.
Loss 2–2 Andrea Lee Submission (armbar) Invicta FC 14: Evinger vs. Kianzad September 12, 2015 3 4:58 Kansas City, Missouri, United States
Win 2–1 Evva Johnson Decision (split) Invicta FC 10: Waterson vs. Tiburcio December 5, 2014 3 5:00 Houston, Texas, United States
Win 1–1 Misha Nassiri Submission (armbar) X-1: Jara vs. Vitale September 26, 2014 3 N/A Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Loss 0–1 Jenny Liou Shriver TKO (knee to the body and punches) Destiny MMA Na Koa 4 January 25, 2014 2 N/A Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 1–1 Barb Honchak Decision (unanimous) The Ultimate Fighter: A New World Champion November 15, 2017 (air date) 2 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States TUF 26 Quarter-Finals.
Win 1–0 Melinda Fábián Submission (rear-naked choke) October 18, 2017 (air date) 1 4:22 TUF 26 preliminary round.

[49]

Bare knuckle boxing record

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Professional record breakdown
1 match 1 win 0 losses
By decision 1 0
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 1–0 Paige VanZant Decision (unanimous) BKFC 19 July 23, 2021 5 2:00 Tampa, Florida, United States Fight of the Night.

References

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  1. ^ a b c d "Rachael Ostovich – Invicta Fighting Championships". Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  2. ^ “TUF FINALE” MIXED MARTIAL ARTS SHOW RESULTS DATE: July 6, 2018
  3. ^ "Rachael Ostovich explains why she wears Wonder Woman costume in the cage". AXS. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
  4. ^ "The Ostovich Ohana: A Proud Past, and Bright Future, in MMA". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2016-04-28.
  5. ^ "Hall of Fame". www.moanaluahs.org. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  6. ^ a b c d e Modafferi, Roxanne. "Rachael Ostovich the "Wonder Woman" pursues her dreams in the Invicta cage". MMA Sucka. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  7. ^ "HHSAA girls judo medalists". www.hawaiiprepworld.com. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  8. ^ Hackett, Tommy (2015-11-25). "Robert Ostovich Talks Pancrase Hawaii and The Region's Bright Future". MMANUTS. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  9. ^ "Bob Ostovich ("Bob-O") | MMA Fighter Page". Tapology. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  10. ^ "Robby Ostovich ("Supernatural") | MMA Fighter Page". Tapology. Retrieved 2023-11-06.
  11. ^ Sanchez, Josh (5 December 2014). "Invicta FC 10 Results: Rachael Ostovich Edges Evva Johnson Via Split Decision". fansided.com. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  12. ^ Jackson, Mike (12 September 2015). "Video: Andrea Lee Submits Rachael Ostovich With Two Seconds Left In The Fight". mikethetruth.com. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  13. ^ Foley, Bill (13 April 2016). "Ariel Beck signs with Invicta, will fight May 7". buttesports.com. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  14. ^ Sargent, Robert (8 May 2016). "Invicta FC 17 Bonuses: Ostovich vs Beck Named Fight Of The Night". mmarising.com. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  15. ^ "Eight-bout Invicta FC 21 lineup finalized with addition of 3 fights, including Andrea Lee-Jenny Liou". MMAjunkie. 2016-12-21. Retrieved 2018-02-17.
  16. ^ Latest, MMA. "Rachael Ostovich vs. Christine Ferea - Invicta FC 21's Barnburner in Waiting - MMA Latest". www.mmalatestnews.com. Retrieved 2018-02-17.
  17. ^ "Invicta FC 21 results & highlights: Megan Anderson wins interim FW title". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2018-02-17.
  18. ^ Staff (2017-08-05). "'The Ultimate Fighter 26' cast revealed: Who's vying to become 1st UFC women's flyweight champ?". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved 2017-08-06.
  19. ^ "The Ultimate Fighter 26, Episode 7 results: Melinda Fabian vs. Rachael Ostovich". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  20. ^ "Episode No. 10 recap: 'The Ultimate Fighter 26: A New World Champion'". MMAjunkie. 2017-11-16. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  21. ^ "TUF 26 Finale full fight card finalized". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2017-11-30.
  22. ^ "TUF 26 Finale results: Rachael Ostovich ground game too much for Karine Gevorgyan". MMAjunkie. 2017-12-02. Retrieved 2017-12-02.
  23. ^ "Montana De La Rosa vs. Rachael Ostovich set for TUF 27 Finale on July 6 - WMMA Rankings". WMMA Rankings. 2018-04-20. Retrieved 2018-04-20.
  24. ^ "TUF 27 Finale results: Montana De La Rosa turns tables on Rachael Ostovich for submission win". MMAjunkie. 2018-07-07. Retrieved 2018-07-07.
  25. ^ "Paige VanZant vs. Rachael Ostovich booked for UFC on ESPN+ 1 in Brooklyn". MMAjunkie. 2018-11-06. Retrieved 2018-11-06.
  26. ^ "UFC's Rachael Ostovich attacked, suffers broken orbital bone". ESPN.com. November 19, 2018. Retrieved May 2, 2021.
  27. ^ "Rachael Ostovich Ruled Out of Her Fight Against Paige VanZant | MMAnytt.com". MMAnytt.com. 2018-11-20. Retrieved 2018-11-20.
  28. ^ "Rachael Ostovich Cleared to Face Paige VanZant at UFC Fight Night in January | MMAWeekly.com". www.mmaweekly.com. Retrieved 2018-11-28.
  29. ^ "UFC on ESPN+ 1 results: Paige VanZant submits Rachael Ostovich for first win since 2016". MMAjunkie.com. January 19, 2019. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
  30. ^ Martin, Damon (2019-06-14). "Tecia Torres vs. Marina Rodriguez among 7 fights announced for UFC card in Uruguay". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2019-06-15.
  31. ^ Anderson, Jay (2019-12-19). "Rachael Ostovich vs. Shana Dobson On Deck for UFC Auckland". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-12-19.
  32. ^ "Rachael Ostovich out, Shana Dobson now meets Priscila Cachoeira at UFC on ESPN+ 26 in Auckland". MMA Junkie. 2020-01-24. Retrieved 2020-01-25.
  33. ^ "Rachael Ostovich-Berdon Accepts Sanction for Violation of UFC Anti-Doping Policy". USADA Anti-Doping. June 18, 2020. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  34. ^ Damon Martin. "Rachael Ostovich suspended by USADA following failed drug test". MMAFigting.com. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
  35. ^ Nolan King (2020-09-08). "UFC adds Rachael Ostovich vs. Gina Mazany to Nov. 28 lineup". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2020-09-08.
  36. ^ Anderson, Jay (2020-11-28). "UFC Vegas 15 Results: New-Look Gina Mazany Stops Rachael Ostovich in Third". cagesidepress. Retrieved 2020-11-28.
  37. ^ "UFC releases Rachael Ostovich in wake of three straight losses". MMA Junkie. 2020-12-07. Retrieved 2020-12-07.
  38. ^ Mike Bohn (April 27, 2021). "UFC veteran Rachael Ostovich signs with Bare Knuckle FC". MMAjunkie.com.
  39. ^ Damon Martin (May 27, 2021). "Paige VanZant vs. Rachael Ostovich official for BKFC 19 on July 23". mmafighting.com.
  40. ^ Samano, Simon; Segura, Danny (24 July 2021). "For Rachael Ostovich, BKFC 19 win over Paige VanZant feels 'so sweet'". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  41. ^ a b @bareknucklefc (July 26, 2021). "Your #BKFC19 FOTN & KOTN" – via Instagram.
  42. ^ "UFC fighter Rachael Ostovich's husband reportedly arrested for attempted murder". Newsweek. 2018-11-21. Retrieved 2018-11-22.
  43. ^ "Husband of Rachael Ostovich, Arnold Berdon released on bond, gets charge reclassified | BJPenn.com". | BJPenn.com. 2018-11-24. Retrieved 2018-11-24.
  44. ^ Kawano, Lynn. "Recording shows brutality, extent of attack UFC's Rachael Ostovich endured". Hawaii News Now. Retrieved 2018-12-22.
  45. ^ Patrick Redford (December 21, 2018). "New Recording Allegedly Shows Rachael Ostovich's Husband Threatening To Murder Her". Deadspin. Retrieved February 19, 2019.
  46. ^ "Husband of UFC's Rachael Ostovich pleads no contest to assault". mmajunkie.com. March 14, 2019.
  47. ^ "Rachael Ostovich reveals harrowing details of alleged domestic violence assault - 'I coughed up blood'". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2018-11-22.
  48. ^ Newswire, MMA Fighting (2019-05-16). "Rachael Ostovich's ex-husband Arnold Berdon sentenced to four years probation in domestic assault case". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2019-05-17.
  49. ^ Sherdog.com. "Rachael Ostovich MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-11-06.
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