Ronda Rousey has expressed a desire to fight up-and-coming contender Bethe Correia, but that hasn't stopped the Brazilian's media crusade against the UFC women's bantamweight champion.
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Correia hasn't been shy to call out Rousey after defeating her friend and "Four Horsewomen" training partner Shayna Baszler in August. She also holds a win over Jessamyn Duke, another teammate of Rousey's, and she made headlines on Thursday once again denouncing the champion and her friends.
"I already proved to the world that the Four Horsewomen are a big joke," Correia told FOX Sports. "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."
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Correia is currently 9-0 and has been campaigning for a title shot for the past month. But she'd have to get in line as UFC President Dana White awarded the next shot to Cat Zingano after her win at UFC 178 on Saturday.
Rousey is expected to make her next defense at UFC 182 on Jan. 3. FOX Sports said White wants her to have a quick turnaround and fight again in March, which Correia would gladly accept.
"If it's in March you can be sure there will be a new champ in March," Correia said. ... "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."
Rousey said she is open to the possibility of fighting Correia in Brazil, and if that happens "Pitbull" believes she'd be the favorite.
"She said she's used to being booed, but here it's different," Correia said. "She just fought here in a judo competition, which is much more different than MMA. She doesn't know how the Brazilian crowd reacts and the energy they send. They'll all be with me and I'm sure she'll feel it. She will fight a Northeastern Brazilian with hot blood. To me it will be wonderful and to her it'll be a disaster."
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