Esquibel denied fight in Phoenix

Albuquerque MMA fighter Jodie Esquibel’s scheduled fight Sunday against Jessica Penne on a UFC Fight Night card in Phoenix was called off because of an injury to Penne, the UFC announced.

Penne (12-5) had weighed in on Saturday at 118 pounds, two pounds over the allowable strawweight limit. Esquibel (6-4) weighed in at 115.5 pounds.

Esquibel on Sunday retweeted the UFC’s announcement of the cancellation, preceded by an emoji of a broken heart.

She also retweeted MMA photographer Esther Lin, who had tweeted, “I’d fight jodie just so she gets her (pay). C’mon, Arizona, license me.”

Later on Sunday, Penne posted on Instagram a photo of a gruesomely swollen ankle. She sprained the ankle Sunday morning, she wrote, while loosening up for her fight.

“I want to apologize to (Esquibel) for this fight not happening today,” Penne wrote. “I’m truly very sorry Jodie.”

There was no immediate word on whether or how much Esquibel would be paid, or whether or if the Esquibel-Penne fight would be rescheduled.

Esquibel last fought in July, when she lost to Jessica Aguilar by unanimous decision.