'TUF 26' finalist Sijara Eubanks learned to love her low ranking, always knew she was No. 1

LAS VEGAS – Sijara Eubanks took every possible opportunity to remind UFC President Dana White that she did not appreciate being seeded No. 12 out of the 16 fighters on “The Ultimate Fighter 26” cast.

However, in retrospect, now that Eubanks is fighting for the inaugural UFC women’s flyweight title, she’s kind of glad she was slotted so far down the list.

“I knew I was the best in the house,” Eubanks told MMAjunkie. “I didn’t think I would be ranked No. 1, but I thought I would be ranked top 5. Actually, I think being ranked No. 12 – for as much as I complained to Dana about it – I think it worked out, because I was able to fight the top caliber of girls in the house coming into this title fight.

“You know, when you’re ranked higher, you get sort of the lower seeds. So being a lower seed, I got to fight tough competition going through the house, so I actually got to gain a lot of experience just being ranked No. 12. Plus I got to nag Dana for bonuses, because I get to take people out that’s top 5.”

Eubanks’ run through the “TUF 26” bracket was indeed impressive. En route to the finals, she bested No. 5 Maia Stevenson, No. 4 DeAnna Bennett and No. 1 Roxanne Modafferi.

Now Eubanks (2-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) takes on Nicco Montano (3-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) – at No. 14, the lowest seed she’s been paired up against yet – in the main event of Friday’s The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale, which takes place at Park Theater in Las Vegas and airs on FS1 following an early prelim on UFC Fight Pass.

The winner walks away a UFC champion, but Eubanks said she’s found herself to be incredibly calm ahead of the bout despite the massive stakes.

“Honestly, this is like the calmest I’ve been,” Eubanks said. “I’ve been working at this for 10 years. I’ve got 25 minutes to complete a 10-year-long journey. I’m just really excited. I’m happy. I felt like I was going to have nerves, but I slept like eight hours like a baby last night, so I was like, ‘Hey, we’re ready to rock.’

“It’s hard to describe the feeling because it’s so many different feelings. It’s so exhilarating that it’s really hard to put into words, but man, I’m really excited for Friday night.”

While early in their professional careers, both Eubanks and Montano came from a grappling background but have showed capable striking, as well. Still, Eubanks believes if she’s firing on all cylinders, she’ll simply be the better fighter.

“I think I’m the better striker,” Eubanks said. “I think I’m the better grappler on the ground. I think she does have her strong suits. She has things she’s good at, but like I said, when I’m at my best, I really don’t see anybody that can beat me in the house or otherwise.”

Either fighter will be considered a surprise winner of the show, but both believe they have games suited to keep them in place as champion after the conclusion of “TUF.” But Eubanks simply thinks she has the edge in the matchup and has paid enough dues along the way to take her place as an overnight sensation a decade in the making.

“It’s fun,” Eubanks said. “It’s really exciting. It’s so hard to describe the feeling, but I know it’s coming. I know it’s true.”

To hear more from Eubanks, check out the video above.

And for more on The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.