Husband of UFC’s Rachael Ostovich pleads no contest in domestic violence case

BLoodyelbow.com

Rachael Ostovich’s husband has pleaded no contest in his domestic violence case.

Arnold Berdon took the no contest plea for the felony charge of second-degree assault Thursday in Hawaii Circuit Court, according to online court records. By pleading no contest, Berdon does not admit he is guilty but will still be convicted.

A judge will sentence Berdon, who initially plead not guilty last November, on May 16. Berdon, a 28-year-old professional MMA fighter, is facing five years in prison and a $10,000 fine, according to an MMA Fighting report.

Berdon is accused of attacking Ostovich, a UFC women’s flyweight, on Nov. 18. Ostovich was hospitalized with severe injuries, including a broken orbital bone. Ostovich claimed she escaped through a balcony after coughing up blood and vomiting from Berdon’s attack.

Ostovich obtained a restraining order against Berdon that lasts 20 years last December. The Hawaiian fighter has also filed for divorce.

Ostovich wrote in her restraining order filing that this was not the first time Berdon had abused her. She cited an earlier incident in 2018 in which he allegedly repeatedly struck her in the legs, resulting in bruising.

Ostovich returned to the cage in January at the UFC’s debut card on EPSN+ and ESPN. She fell to Paige VanZant by submission.