Ronda Rousey Wants To Fight Bethe Correia in Brazil
Fresh off the heels of a spectacular 16-second arm bar win over Cat Zingano at last weekend’s (February 28, 2015) UFC 184, reigning bantamweight queen “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey knows who she would like to take on next.
Despite talks of a potential super fight between Rousey and Invicta FC featherweight champion Cris “Cyborg” Justino, who also fought last weekend, Rousey would like to face off with No. 7-ranked Bethe Correia.
In usual Rousey fashion, the champion doesn’t want to fight Correia under normal circumstances, but rather challenge herself in the best way possible. However, this time it’s not going through training camp while also shooting a movie.
Speaking on the Jay Mohr Sports radio show Thursday (March 5, 2015), Rousey said that she would like to fight Correia in Brazil, in the challenger’s home town. The two ladies actually have a bit of a rivalry, as Correia has knocked off two of Rousey’s teammates, Jessamyn Duke and Shayna Bayzler, taunting the champ afterward. The “Rowdy” one believes beating the Brazilian in her hometown would be the best revenge (quotes transcribed by MMAFighting):
“That’s what I want to do,” Rousey told Mohr. “I want to go and fight her in Brazil and beat her in her hometown. That would be the best way I could really feel like I’ve vindicated my friends, to go to her hometown and beat her in her hometown and be total Rocky IV on it.”
Correia has not been quiet about her desire to fight for the title either, even going as far to fly all the way to Los Angles for UFC 184. Although she didn’t get her wish of meeting Rousey in the cage after the fight, she did blast the champion backstage, labeling her as a selfish title holder:
“She just thinks about herself, about making movies, dressing well, showing up,” Correia said. “I’m not gonna be like this, I’m gonna be a real champ. I’m gonna do something for the people. I’m gonna be the people’s champ.”
However, Correia might be biting off a bit more than she can chew here. The Brazilian has won three-straight, but has not really fought any top contenders. Some may even say her words and taunts have made this fight an idea, rather than her wins.
In today’s world hype makes fights, however, and if fans are intrigued by this fight it will most definitely happen. Rousey herself might even be hyping up the fight as well, saying that it’s a bad idea for Correia to mess with her:
“There is this young, up-and-coming Brazilian chick with an undefeated record that beat two of my friends and has been trying to rub it in my face,” Rousey said. “Pretty much trying to get in an argument with me, because when you’re in an argument with me, you’re suddenly more important. I guess this chick figured that out. Messing with mama bear is a very bad idea. She might be next on my radar.”
Rousey and her two friends, who the Brazilian beat, are part of a group who call themselves the four horse women. After beating Duke and Bayzler, Correia held up four fingers and put one down each time, indicating another victim she has taken out. Well, the champion stated she has her own plans for mocking Corrieia after she beats her:
“I’m going to beat this chick at some point and I’m going to put a finger down and you should be not surprised which finger is left standing for her,” Rousey said.
“[It’s] kind of hilarious that her name is Bethe,” Rousey said. “I’m gonna have a fun time with that name.”
The champion is taking some time off to film a movie, but would you like to see Rousey vs. Correia next summer in Brazil, and do you think the Brazilian can offer any type of challenge?
