The UFC will have to scratch another headliner from another event, UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva (25-4) will not face Vitor Belfort (19-8) in February at UFC 109.

According to MMAjunkie.com, as well as recent comments by UFC light-heavyweight champion Lyoto Machida, Silva will not be ready to re-enter the octagon till at least April. Silva had surgery to his elbow in October to remove bone chips and the injury is reportedly slow to heal.

Both men were to meet on Jan. 2 at UFC 108, but this date was changed to the Feb. 6 show at UFC 109 because of Silva’s elbow.

Silva is coming off of a light-heavyweight victory over Forrest Griffin at UFC 101 and has won eleven straight matches, including five middleweight title defenses.

Belfort returned to the UFC this summer after Affliction closed the doors to it’s mma events. In his return at UFC 103, Belfort defeated former middleweight champion Rich Franklin by knock out in the first round. ‘The Phenom’ has won five straight bouts.