Bethe Correia is taking a page out of Ronda Rousey's book. Rousey earned her first title shot in Strikeforce just four fights into her career largely by trading verbal barbs with then-champion Miesha Tate and creating a rivalry. It looks like Correia is trying to do the same.
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Correia has been more than willing to call Rousey, now the UFC women's bantamweight champion, out in the media. After defeating Rousey's friend and training partner Jessamyn Duke, Correia made a gesture to say "one down, three to go" in reference to Rousey's "Four Horsewomen" teammates. Now coming off an impressive win on Saturday at UFC 177 over Shayna Baszler, another "Horsewoman," Correia is staying relevant by continuing to challenge Rousey.
"I want the title fight. I challenge Ronda Rousey to end my invincibility, because she won't," Correia told MMAFighting.com. "I'm the one who will retire as the undefeated UFC champion. My dream is to fight for the title. I want to show the whole world that I'm the UFC champion."
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Her win over Baszler came by second-round TKO, her first finish while fighting in the UFC, to move to 9-0. "Pitbull" looked outstanding, throwing hard, accurate punching combinations that eventually forced the referee to stop the fight. After her win she continued to try to get Rousey's attention and it worked, according to UFC President Dana White.
"As soon as (Correia) started talking, (Rousey) texted me and said, 'I want that fight; I want it now,'" White said at the post-fight press conference. "'I want it before someone else beats her,' and I said, 'Calm down, lady. You've got other people to fight. We'll figure it out.'"
While Rousey still doesn't have an opponent scheduled, it's likely that Correia would need another win before getting a shot at "Rowdy." She said she respects whatever decision White makes, but she made it clear that she wants the title.
"I don't know what Dana White's plans are, but I respect his decision. He knows what he has to do. But the only thing I can say is I want to be the champion so bad," Correia said. "I know I would give Ronda a great fight. I'm capable of beating Ronda. I know that."
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