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Ferguson's wife files restraining order against him

The wife of former UFC interim lightweight champion Tony Ferguson filed a temporary restraining order against him on Wednesday in Orange County (Calif.) Superior Court.

MMA Junkie first reported that Cristina Ferguson filed the temporary restraining order. Records detailing the parameters of the order were not immediately available to ESPN.

Court records show that an investigation is scheduled to occur on March 22, with a domestic violence hearing on April 5.

California's Domestic Violence Prevention Act allows the issuance of immediate temporary restraining orders to help provide quick protection for potential victims. The acceptance of the temporary order does not assume guilt against Tony Ferguson.

Tony Ferguson, 35, has yet to have a hearing or a permanent restraining order filed against him by the court. A judge will typically decide whether to issue a temporary order the same day a request for a restraining order is made.

Whether that happens will be determined at the April 5 hearing. Until then, the temporary restraining order against Tony Ferguson will remain in place.

Cristina Ferguson's lawyer, Jeffrey L. Heath, released a statement to ESPN on Thursday night, with his client explaining her reasoning for the temporary restraining order.

"Tony Ferguson is a good husband and good father to our son," Cristina Ferguson said in the statement. "The current legal proceedings are a part of a process to ensure that Tony will receive the help necessary to continue being the best possible, as well as to pursue his passion and career as a UFC champion fighter.

"All positive well wishes are sincerely appreciated, and I hope our privacy will be respected."

Ferguson posted a statement, his first since the news broke, to Instagram on Saturday.

"Thank you all for the great support!" he wrote. "I'm in a great spirits, UFC & management are helping me find the help we need. I'm getting all of your messages, keep em' coming!!! Thank you very much for the kind words, my family & team appreciates it. Lots of love my social media fam, keep the faith couldn't do this s--- without you."

ESPN's Ariel Helwani contributed to this report.