The UFC’s Twitter says it all…
*let’s out sudden exhale after video ends because you realized you were holding your breath the whole time* #UFCSingapore pic.twitter.com/q9j9G57jJt
— UFC (@ufc) June 12, 2017
Bethe Correia fought her way to a title fight with the famed Ronda Rousey at UFC 190 almost 2 years ago… 34 seconds into the very first round she was knocked out on the canvas. Needless to say, it wasn’t her best showing, but she intends to right (at least some) of her wrongs on June 17th with what she hopes will be a decisive win over former champ and current UFC Women’s Bantamweight contender, Holly ‘The Preacher’s Daughter’ Holm.
She also recently did an interview, and in it she addresses how the Rousey was “one of the most incredible things” that ever happened to her. She also adds that it made her stronger, more mature, and has prepared her for many things to come. We’ll see how it all plays out this Saturday, but in the mean time let’s here her full side of the story.
Enjoy!
“People want to identify with someone who has the courage to speak what they think,” she said “They do not want to admire people who are afraid or fake, and how many are like that? Many. I am rare, I am unique, I am the exception. Bethe Correia, there is only one, in life and in the UFC.”
“I believe it is a recognition of my work,” she said of getting the main event gig. “I work hard, I do not shy away from challenges and I’m not afraid to face tough opponents. I’m not afraid of anything or anyone. I’m an authentic, daring athlete and I always speak the truth, which is a great quality, even if these truths annoy my adversaries. But I’m not afraid of criticism and I believe a lot in my potential, regardless of the situation. I’m happy to be in the main event, because it’s the opportunity for more recognition and to get back to where I want to fight for the belt.”
“The fight with Ronda was one of the most incredible things that happened in my professional life,” Correia said. “The result was not expected, but I found myself even stronger than I thought I was. Many people do not know how to deal with defeat and I thought that I would be one of those people, because it’s good to be unbeaten. But I learned from defeat, it gave me the courage to win, and I came back stronger, smarter and more mature. With each fight, I mature, and when I lost, I came back with more desire to learn, to develop and to be a professional of a high level.”
“I always like to test myself,” she said. “I am an athlete who is not afraid of risk and I am not afraid to test myself against her striking, but it is a MMA fight and I am an MMA athlete. I started in it and there is no area out of the comfort zone for me. I adapt well in any situation – it can be on the floor, standing, in grappling. I represent MMA, I am the face of MMA in all the aspects of the fight, as well as in attitude.”
For anyone interested, here’s the full night of fights for June 17th.
Event: UFC Fight Night 111: “Holm vs. Correia”
Date: Sat., June 17, 2017
Location: Singapore Indoor Stadium in Kallang, Singapore
Broadcast: UFC Fight Pass
UFC Fight Night 111 Fight Pass Main Event:
135 lbs.: Holly Holm vs. Bethe Correia
UFC Fight Night 111 Fight Pass Main Card (8 a.m. ET):
265 lbs.: Andrei Arlovski vs. Marcin Tybura
170 lbs.: Colby Covington vs. Dong Hyun Kim
170 lbs.: Rafael dos Anjos vs. Tarec Saffiedine
UFC Fight Night 111 Fight Pass Preliminary Card (4 a.m. ET):
155 lbs.: Takanori Gomi vs. Jon Tuck
265 lbs.: Cyril Asker vs. Walt Harris
145 lbs.: Alex Caceres vs. Rolando Dy
125 lbs.: Ulka Sasaki vs. Jus