UFC women's bantamweight Sijara Eubanks has released a statement amid domestic violence allegations made towards her.
On Saturday, February 20, a video was posted to Eubanks' Twitter account showing the UFC veteran committing an act of domestic violence against her ex-partner Lilly Ruiz and in front of the couple's child. A Twitter user by the name of "DatBoyLouu" claiming to be the son-in-law of Eubank's ex-partner Ruiz reposted the video after Eubanks' Twitter account was deleted. Another Twitter user named "fwwdest," claiming to be Ruiz's daughter, posted photos of bruises and marking on her mother that she claims were caused by Eubanks.
Eubanks has now released a statement of her own via her Instagram account, addressing the allegations and claiming that Ruiz is the abusive one and she is the victim of domestic violence.
“For the last five years, I have been in an abusive relationship. I have never said anything before because of my appearance and career, no one ever believed me. No one ever believed that someone like me could be a victim. So for years, I suffered emotional, verbal and sometimes physical abuse at the hands of my now ex-partner," Eubanks wrote as part of the two-page statement. "I suffered in silence and often still managed a smile in public and still a decent professional career despite the trauma I faced at home. As many of you know I have a daughter with this person and she is the sole reason I stayed as long as I did."
Eubanks is a former cast member of The Ultimate Fighter 26 and is 4-4 in her eight Octagon appearances, most recently dropping a unanimous decision loss to Pannie Kianzad at UFC Vegas 17. The promotion hasn't commented on the situation.
Fightful has all of your MMA needs covered. Follow us on Twitter for updates, and subscribe to our YouTube channel for exclusive interviews, lists, news updates, and predictions.
