Rachael Ostovich, a BARE KNUCKLE boxing star, has admitted that she was close to "going broke" during her time in mixed martial art.
Before signing a lucrative contract with BKFC, the Hawaiian MMA fighter competed for six years.
Rachael Ostovich was a competitor in the UFC for three consecutive years
.
Ostovich was a competitor in the UFC three times during those years, but she was almost bankrupt during her time as the sport's top promotion.
The 30-year old told MMA Junkie that MMA is a lot, and it felt almost like I was going broke fighting in MMA. So BKFC is where he is right now, and we will hopefully get on the same page."
Ostovich was paid a lot for her victory over Paige VanZant, a former UFC flyweight.
Her hands paid the ultimate price for her unanimous victory.
She said: "I suffered some injuries after the fight – it's definitely not MMA.
"The damage is much worse than I imagined - I have seen it firsthand.
"I fought in MMA for ten year.
"My hands are broken: I couldn’t punch for two months after that fight.
"I don't know how the other girls fight back to back.
"I used to punch very hard, and everyone said, "Don't punch 100 percent, you're going break your own hand."
"I was going for broke. I gave it my all. I do it a lot. I love to throw it away.
"Those are the consequences.
"I had a lot of super-tender [areas] all over [my eye]; my nostril - the damage was real."
Ostovich is still enjoying the bare-knuckle experience but has not yet closed the door to a return to the cage.
"That's why, I'm super-heavy about the money part: Make it worth my time," said Ultimate Fighter's 26 season star.
"I have seen people in danger, or [risk] death. It's my job to make money.
"I have a child, I live in Hawaii. It's one the most expensive places to be a parent.
"BKFC paid me more than MMA for my work."
She's happy to fight with BKFC as long as she gets hefty checks.
She said, "I would return back to MMA, just BKFC, they are really hot right now, and they pay me really well, so that's where my heart will be."
FREE BETTING: Get the Latest Betting SIGN-UP Offers and Free Bets
