Nicco Montano vs. Julia Avila matchup moved to UFC event on Sept. 5 following coach’s positive COVID-19 test

A pivotal women’s bantamweight rematch will move forward, it will just take place on a different date.

Multiple people with knowledge of the promotion’s plans confirmed to MMA Fighting that the fight between Nicco Montano and Julia Avila, which was originally scheduled to take place Aug. 8, will now take place at the UFC’s event Sept. 5.

A source close to the situation confirmed the reasoning for the change of date is due to Montano’s coach John Wood testing positive for COVID-19 earlier in the week—which was first reported by MyMMANews.com.

Montano’s return to the octagon following an MCL injury will wait another month. The Ultimate Fighter 26 winner, and inaugural UFC women’s flyweight champion, hasn’t competed since July 2019, dropping a unanimous decision to Julianna Pena at UFC Sacramento.

Avila improved to 2-0 in the UFC following an impressive 22-second TKO win over Gina Mazany at UFC on ESPN 10 in May. “Raging Panda,” who has won her last four fights, made her octagon debut this past July at UFC 239 and earned a unanimous decision win over Pannie Kianzad.

In January 2017, Avila defeated Montano via unanimous decision to become the women’s bantamweight champion of Oklahoma regional promotion HD MMA.