{"id":293848,"date":"2018-12-05T06:54:40","date_gmt":"2018-12-05T14:54:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/staging.tcpcharms.com\/bjpenn\/?p=293848"},"modified":"2018-12-05T08:06:27","modified_gmt":"2018-12-05T16:06:27","slug":"mma-community-scolds-ufc-for-booking-greg-hardy-and-rachael-ostovich-on-the-same-card","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/staging.tcpcharms.com\/bjpenn\/mma-news\/ufc\/mma-community-scolds-ufc-for-booking-greg-hardy-and-rachael-ostovich-on-the-same-card\/","title":{"rendered":"MMA community reacts to UFC booking Greg Hardy and Rachael Ostovich on the same card"},"content":{"rendered":"

Last night, ESPN\u00a0reported<\/a> that former NFL star Greg Hardy is likely to make his long-discussed UFC debut on January 19 in Brooklyn, New York, when the UFC makes its first appearance on ESPN+.<\/p>\n

Hardy’s seemingly inevitable move to the UFC has always been the subject of controversy, as he was previously found guilty on two charges of domestic violence against his ex-girlfriend (though those charges were later dropped when his victim did not appear in court). That said, it’s hard to imagine the UFC handling the controversial former NFL’s debut any worse.<\/p>\n

In scheduling Hardy for this January 19 card, the promotion has put him on the same card as Rachael Ostovich, who was the victim of domestic violence mere weeks ago. Ostovich, who is set to fight Paige VanZant on the card, was briefly rumored to be off the card as the result of the injuries she sustained in her attack, but has decided to stay on the card to send a message of solidarity and strength to her fellow survivors.\u00a0<\/a><\/p>\n

“Although this is a very difficult time for me and my family, I felt that this fight in January was important,” Rachael Ostovich said. “I felt that it was extremely important to me to follow through with it and not only for me but first for my daughter and other people that might be going through similar situations. I want to take a stand against domestic violence and show others that it’s okay to come out and speak about it and not be quieted.<\/em><\/p>\n

“I feel like I have to do this. This is something that can’t be taken away from me. I want to use this big worldwide UFC platform to show people that…don’t let anyone or anything come between you and your dreams and your career.”<\/em><\/p>\n

Now, it appears, Rachael Ostovich will share the card with a man who was previously found guilty of the very crime she was recently a victim of.<\/p>\n

Unsurprisingly, the MMA community has taken notice of this undeniably tone-deaf decision by the UFC. Here’s how people are reacting on Twitter.<\/p>\n

\n

Greg Hardy\u2019s eventual UFC debut was always going to be controversial and met with heavy criticism. However, to debut him on the same card as Rachael Ostovich (on the first ESPN card, no less) is a dubious decision at best and incredibly tone-deaf. https:\/\/t.co\/lqd8BYW9GA<\/a><\/p>\n

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) December 5, 2018<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n