Bethe Correia: Ronda Rousey will be dethroned and I hope I get to do it
Bethe Correia had plenty of fire and venom to spew at Ronda Rousey prior to their fight last weekend at UFC 190. But despite having her light extinguished in just 34 seconds, she still believes she's the one to dethrone the long-reigning bantamweight champion.
Just days after her knockout loss to Rousey in Brazil, Correia was already back on the pulpit pounding her fist and saying that not only would she earn another crack at the title but she will do it within the next year.
"I promise I will fight for the belt next year," she told Combate in Brazil. "In 2016, I want to write a different story. I want, above all things, to be respected. I want a triumphant return. I won't accept ending 2016 without a UFC belt on my waist.
"Everything I want, I get. That will be my battle."
Correia didn't last much longer than any of Rousey's recent victims, but she certainly did her part to sell the fight that may end up being one of the biggest UFC cards of the year.
Correia was in Rousey's face during every staredown and constantly fired shots via interviews and social media, including one comment about the champion committing suicide that had the former Olympic bronze medalist seething for revenge.
When it was over, Rousey was clearly the superior fighter and she barely needed 30 seconds to prove it.
Still, Correia believes deep down inside that she's got what it takes to beat Rousey and she hopes to earn her way back there within the next year.
"If she still has the belt next year, I will meet her again. I will get that belt," Correia said. "I think Ronda will be dethroned and I hope I get to do it. Everybody loses at one point."
For her part, Rousey thinks she's already seen Correia for the last time after thrashing her by knockout in the first round.
"I'm not going to have to think about her ever again after this day and I'm sure she'll have to think about me plenty," Rousey said at the UFC 190 post-fight press conference. "As far as I'm concerned, it's over and done with."
