The signing of Grispi has been met with a lot of criticism, due to the fighter’s arrest and subsequent sentence in prison for domestic violence against his wife Kaitlyn. A police officer investigating the crime at that time would call it “the worst case of domestic abuse I’ve ever seen.”
NEF owner Nick DiSalvo issued a statement to MMA Junkie, saying that the fighter has served time for the crime and that Grispi deserves the opportunity to make money for his family:
“Domestic abuse is an epidemic in our country. There is no excuse for it. It is a horrific crime. Josh was convicted and did his time in prison. There is nothing that would make us believe he has not been rehabilitated and ready to become a productive member of society. If Massachusetts courts determined he was still a threat to anyone, he would not be walking the streets right now. There is never an excuse for subjecting a loved one to physical or emotional abuse. Josh was convicted and did his time in prison. He is out now and deserves the opportunity to make a living to support his children.”
New England Fights 42 takes place on Saturday, February 8 from the Merrill Auditorium in Portland, Maine with Josh Grispi and Bruce Boyington headlining.
