Former Bellator
fighter Heather
Hardy has sued Jake Paul and
Most Valuable Promotions over her 2023 boxing rematch against
Amanda
Serrano.
Hardy, who competed under the Bellator banner from 2017 to 2019,
went 2-2 in mixed martial arts during her stint with the promotion.
The 24-3 boxer is now suing MVP over alleged post-fight medical
complications following her defeat to Serrano.
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Heather Hardy alleges Amanda Serrano rematch caused permanent
neurological damage
Hardy’s lawsuit stems from her rematch with Serrano, which took
place in August 2023 on the Paul-Nate Diaz
card. Hardy claims she experienced blurred vision for several days
after the fight. She later withdrew from a 2024 BKFC bout because
of worsening vision issues and said doctors had warned that further
head injuries could permanently affect her eyesight.
The bout was staged by Paul’s MVP, which has now been accused of
“exploiting” Hardy’s difficult financial position to book an unsafe
and dangerous fight. The complaint alleges that Hardy suffered a
permanent brain injury as a result of the bout and accuses Paul and
MVP of negligence.
“Defendants knew, or should have known, that the bout presented an
extraordinary and foreseeable risk of serious neurological harm to
Hardy,” the complaint states (via ESPN). “Dr. Curreri concluded that Ms. Hardy
now suffers from a permanent disability marked by traumatic brain
injury, memory loss, double vision, anxiety disorder, spatial
confusion, and perception and depth inaccuracies, among other
impairments. According to Dr. Curreri, these symptoms left Ms.
Hardy unable to concentrate and, in all likelihood, incapable of
maintaining regular employment. Dr. Curreri’s assessment connected
Hardy’s injury to the rematch itself.”
Hardy is seeking $10 million in damages from MVP, co-founder Paul,
COO Bryce Holden and Holden Boxing. She has also requested measures
aimed at preventing similar circumstances involving other fighters.