Jessica Aguilar off UFC Austin, may face Livinha Souza at UFC on FOX 28 or UFC 222

Jessica Aguilar won’t be fighting at this weekend’s UFC event.

The former WSOF women’s strawweight champion has been removed from the UFC Austin card, MMA Fighting has learned. UFC Austin (UFC Fight Night 126) is set to go down Sunday, Feb. 18 at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas.

Aguilar’s withdrawal comes after her opponent Livinha Souza was forced off the card due to a hand injury. The UFC was unable to find a replacement opponent for the American Top Team fighter, and it is now planning to reschedule the Aguilar-Souza match up for a later date. The promotion is eyeing to place the 115-pound contest on either this month’s UFC Orlando or UFC 222 in Las Vegas.

Speaking with MMA Fighting’s Guilherme Cruz, Souza’s team said that Feb. 24 might be too soon for the Brazilian – as they’re still waiting for medical clearance on Souza’s right hand – but they believe the March 3 date at UFC 222 to be a good date for her return.

Aguilar, a pioneer of women’s MMA and not too long ago considered one of the best 115-pound fighters on the planet, was looking to snap a two-fight skid and get her first win in the Octagon. Prior to joining the UFC in 2015, Aguilar was on a 10-fight win streak with notable victories over Carla Esparza, Megumi Fujii, and Kalindra Faria.

Aguilar is happy to be welcoming Souza to the UFC, and she’s hoping that her bout with the former Invicta FC champ is getting rescheduled soon.

“Everything happens for a reason,” Aguilar told MMA Fighting. “You always see the good in things, even when it’s not a good situation. It will help you stay focused and overcome whatever it is you going through. I appreciate all the support from my fans, and excited to show that I’m still one of the top fighters in my division.”