“The Ultimate Fighter 26” finalist Sijara Eubanks has released her first public statement in the wake of a crushing weight miss that scrapped her shot at the inaugural UFC women’s flyweight title.

Eubanks (2-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) declared she previously had “cut more weight than most male fighters,” yet admitted to “miscalculations” during her weight cut that prevented her from making the 125-pound limit required for title bouts.

Eubanks also revealed she suffered kidney failure while trying to make weight for the headliner of The Ultimate Fighter 26 Finale, explaining her trip to a local hospital in the hours prior to weigh-ins for Friday’s FS1-televised event at Park Theatre in Las Vegas.

“No excuses, I worked my ass off and went out on my shield,” Eubanks wrote on Instagram. “I was hospitalized early this morning for kidney failure but best believe I’ma be right back training and right back after that belt.”

Stepping in Eubanks place for the finale is Roxanne Modafferi (21-13 MMA, 0-1 UFC), whom she beat in the semifinals of the reality show tournament. Modafferi faces finalist Nicco Montano (3-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC) while Modafferi’s originally scheduled opponent, Barb Honchak (10-2 MMA, 0-0 UFC), meets “TUF 26” contestant Lauren Murphy (9-3 MMA, 1-3 UFC), who was on a standby as a potential replacement fighter for the event.

Here is Eubanks’ full statement (via <a href="

“First of all, I’m a champion. Point blank. I will be UFC champion, but it’s God’s will that it won’t be Friday night. I’m a gangster and I’ve cut more weight than most male fighters, and unfortunately there were some miscalculations this cut, no excuses, I worked my ass off and went out on my shield. I was hospitalized early this morning for kidney failure but best believe I’ma be right back training and right back after that belt. This game is full of ups and downs, true champs know that and bounce back. Nicco and Roxanne I’m sure will have a great fight, and best wishes to both those ladies. True class, those two. Nothing changes, I’m still the queen and I will claim my throne.

Thank you to all my coaches, friends and family and the wonderful staff at UFC.

God is good and I am truly blessed.”

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