Hardy Sues Paul Over Serrano Rematch Injury

Former Bellator fighter Heather Hardy has filed a $10 million lawsuit against Jake Paul and Most Valuable Promotions over neurological damage she says resulted from her August 2023 boxing rematch with Amanda Serrano.

Hardy, who went 2-2 in MMA during a two-year Bellator run, claims she suffered blurred vision for days after the Serrano fight on the Paul-Nate Diaz card. She later pulled out of a scheduled BKFC bout in 2024 after doctors warned that additional head trauma could cause permanent vision loss, according to Sherdog. The 24-3 boxer now alleges she has been left with permanent brain injury and memory impairment.

Medical Assessment Details Permanent Disability

The complaint accuses Paul's promotion of exploiting Hardy's financial difficulties to stage an unsafe bout. A medical evaluation by Dr. Curreri concluded that Hardy now suffers from traumatic brain injury, double vision, spatial confusion, and anxiety disorder, among other conditions. The assessment found Hardy incapable of maintaining regular employment, per ESPN's coverage of the filing.

The lawsuit names Paul, MVP co-founder, COO Bryce Holden, and Holden Boxing as defendants. Hardy is seeking damages and measures to prevent similar situations with other fighters. The complaint states that the defendants "knew, or should have known, that the bout presented an extraordinary and foreseeable risk of serious neurological harm to Hardy."

Hardy competed under the Bellator banner from 2017 to 2019 before returning to boxing full-time. The case marks the latest legal challenge for MVP, which has rapidly expanded its promotional footprint in combat sports since Paul launched the company.

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• Sherdog — Jake Paul hit with $10 million lawsuit over ‘career-ending’ fight