Bethe Correia on Ronda Rousey: ‘I Don’t Think She Knows What It’s Like to Get Punched in the Face’
If unbeaten women’s bantamweight contender Bethe Correia defeats reigning champion Ronda Rousey in the UFC 190 main event, it will officially be the biggest upset in the promotion’s history. In an effort to better her chances, Correia is trying to taunt Rousey into a kickboxing bout.
Rousey is an Olympic Bronze Medalist in Judo and has submitted nine of her eleven opponents, all by arm bar. The champion has said that she’s willing to stand and trade with the Brazilian brawler, and Correia hopes she sticks to her word. On their feet, Correia believes she has an advantage.
“Ronda’s game is failed because she’s always searching for the same thing – to go on the ground. And I hope that Ronda keeps her promises – that is to really fight a straight MMA fight with her and not go directly to the floor,” said the challenger during the UFC 190 media conference call.
“I want her to maintain her promise and not do what she always does. But I have the – I’m not the fighter that always go to the ground as Ronda is,” she added.
Correia says she’s used to being the und erdog and enjoys that role, but believes Rousey is over-hyped.
“They built her up as an American hero, an invincible fighter from the United States that no one is going to be able to beat, and I’m here to show that’s a farce and I can beat her,” said Correira during the UFC 190 media open workouts.
Correira’s game plan seems to be contingent on Rousey keeping the fight standing.
“She doesn’t trade punches in eleven fights. She’s never really shown her boxing, so I’m going to go in there and box with her,” she said.
Rousey has stated that she plans to drag the fight out to inflict as much punishment as she can to Correia, but the 32-year-old Brazilian thinks Rousey’s comments are simply setting up an excuse.
“That’s her excuse. She knows she’s not going to be able to finish me, so that’s what she’s saying. That’s her justified way of saying she’s not going to be able to finish me early,” said Correia. “I’ve never seen her trade punches. I don’t think she knows what it’s like to get punched in the face. I know what it’s like. She knows she’s not going to be able finish me, so I’ll finish her.”
