As UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey is still in search of an opponent for her next fight, an up-and-coming contender has now thrown her hat into the ring in hopes of earning a title shot.
Bethe Correia, a Brazilian ranked No. 10 by UFC.com, said she wants a shot at Rousey after her next win. Correia is scheduled to face Shayna Baszler this Saturday at UFC 177.
"I'm not in the UFC to be just another fighter. I will get to the title one way or the other," Correia told MMAFighting.com. "I will get there. I want a title shot and I will get there by talking or fighting - or both. I want the title and nobody can stop me."
Correia is currently undefeated with a 9-0 record. She is coming off a win over Jessamyn Duke, who along with Baszler is part of Rousey's "Four Horsewomen" group of training partners. "Pitbull" sent a message after the UFC 172 win that she's coming for each of the "Four Horsewomen," and she plans to do something again if she wins at UFC 177.
A win over Baszler, a veteran with a 15-8 record who is making her UFC debut on Saturday, would certainly be the biggest win of Correia's career. She would move to 3-0 in the UFC, and she believes that's enough to earn a shot at Rousey.
Rousey is coming off a 16-second knockout win over Alexis Davis in July for her fourth title defense. While Correia isn't yet near the caliber of fighter Rousey has already faced, she believes her confidence will separate her from Rousey's past opponents.
"I think they lacked of confidence," Correia said. "Ronda believes in herself, and the others get in there afraid of her. I'm not. I'm not afraid of her."
© Copyright 2024 Sports World News, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.