After weight issues kept her out of The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale, Sijara Eubanks finally made it to the octagon at UFC Utica, and made it count.
Sijara Eubanks finally got a chance to make her official UFC debut when she faced Lauren Murphy at UFC Utica. The bout capped the Fight Night event’s televised preliminary card Friday at the Adirondack Bank Center in Utica, New York.
While Sijara Eubanks looked to get going early, Lauren Murphy circled on the outside, and connected with a right hand to announce that she was ready to go herself. Just over a minute in the pair began to trade, with Eubanks getting the better of the firefight. Murphy looked in danger. Eubanks finished the sequence with at takedown. As they made it back to the feet, Murphy was showing damage by the eye, and Sijara Eubanks was firmly in control of the round.
Round two saw Murphy throwing looping overhands, but she was too often on her heels. Eubanks, meanwhile, was able to double up on her jab and fire off combos. She then shot for a double, switched to a single leg, but Lauren Murphy was able to fight the takedown attempt off. Or was she? Eubanks stayed on her, and eventually completed the attempt. Murphy looked for a submission off her back, but ‘Sarge’ powered through. Murphy next came close with an upkick, but Eubanks moved into half guard regardless. Murphy latched onto her opponent to control posture, and would survive to see a third round.
Needing to change things up, it was Murphy looking for a single leg in round three. However, she could not complete the attempt and nearly gave up her back in the process. She’d evade that, but on the feet, Eubanks was again getting the better of their exchanges. Murphy would shoot in once more but quickly give up on the attempt. She was on her heels far too often, but was still game to engage. However, a takedown by Sijara Eubanks as they entered the final minute sealed the deal. Eubanks had dominated on the feet and in the grappling department. While Lauren Murphy was dangerous off her back, she was thoroughly outworked by the end of three rounds.
Sijara Eubanks def. Lauren Murphy by unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
