Bethe Correia: Ronda Rousey Hasn’t Proven She’s The Best Woman Fighter
After beating Shayna Baszler at UFC 177 on August 30, 2014, undefeated Brazilian Bethe Correia has been campaigning for a title shot. Baszler is the second one of Rousey’s teammates that have fallen to Correia, as she also defeated Jessamyn Duke at UFC 172 last April.
Current champion Ronda Rousey has previously praised Correia, saying she is glad the girls are promoting their fights and making themselves more interesting to the fans.
However, the Brazilian has not given “Rowdy” the same kind treatment. She only wants a shot at the belt. “Pitbull” continued her war of words in an interview with FOX Sports:
“I appreciate if she said anything good about me, but I’m not very interested in her compliments. From her I just want the belt.”
Correia, who has been quite successful since joining the UFC last year, also feels confident in her chances against the bantamweight queen:
“I already proved to the world that the Four Horsewomen are a big joke. I just need to conclude my work getting the number one, the leader. … I’m only waiting for the UFC to give me this chance so I can end this group once and for all and show who’s the woman that came to stay and will be the only one to retire undefeated.”
Despite her brash comments, she may not get her chance so soon. Rousey is expected to defend her title in January against No. 1 contender “Alpha” Cat Zingano. This fight is all dependent on if Zingano is cleared by doctors to fight after she received a six-month medical suspension after finishing Amanda Nunes at UFC 178 last Saturday (September 27, 2014).
UFC President Dana White also recently said that he would like Rousey to compete in January and then again in March. That is quite a long time for Correia to be sidelined; however, it does not seem like a big problem to the Brazilian:
“If it’s in March you can be sure there will be a new champ in March. The only thing I recognize [about] her as an athlete is what she did for women’s MMA. But even as the UFC champion she still hasn’t proven she’s the best woman fighter. She just proved she’s the best Judo fighter in MMA. I will show I have a more complete, true MMA game.”
Correia went on to say that she would completely understand if the UFC gave the next title shot to Zingano and that “Alpha” had earned and deserved it. But she did add that she wants her next fight to be for the belt:
“I want to be the champion, that’s all I’m thinking about and I’m already preparing for it.”
This is looking like it could be a potential scrap for 2015. A highly motivated and talented “Pitbull” taking on the queen of women’s MMA. Who wouldn’t want to see that?
