A women’s flyweight division fight between Jessica Aguilar and Jodie Esquibel has been pulled from UFC Fight Night Utica.
Ariel Helwani tweeted the following, which was sent to him by Aguilar:
Here’s a photo, taken moments ago and provided to me by Aguilar, of Aguilar and Esquibel backstage. She said they both agreed that they want to re-book the fight ASAP. They were already at the venue when they got the news. pic.twitter.com/Wa2Pf6CIps
— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) June 1, 2018
According to a follow up report on MMA Fighting, it was a call made by the New York State Athletic Commission (NYSAC) and Aguilar also said the fight was canned due to “chapped lips” on her end. Aguilar had gotten cleared by a doctor for competition yesterday, but the NYSAC decided to cancel the bout anyway.
“NY commission is horrible and don’t understand everything we go through to make it here,” Aguilar told Helwani. “It’s absolutely crazy and heartbreaking.”
The following statement was made by the UFC on the matter:
"Due to a medical issue involving strawweight athlete Jessica Aguilar, the New York State Athletic Commission has cancelled her scheduled bout against Jodie Esquibel. Tonight's UFC FIGHT NIGHT: RIVERA VS. MORAES card will proceed with 12 bouts, beginning at 6:55 pm ET / 3:55 pm PT.”
Both fighters want to get their encounter re-booked as quickly as possible, with next weekends UFC 225 card being the earliest date that can happen.
UFC Fight Night Utica takes place tonight from the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, New York with Jimmie Rivera and Marlon Moraes headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which airs live on Fox Sports 1.
