It appears as though Ronda Rousey is heading to enemy territory for her next title defense.
Brazilian outlets Tatame and Globo are reporting that Rousey versus Bethe Correia for the UFC women’s bantamweight title will headline UFC 190 on Aug. 1 in Rio de Janeiro, and MMAFighting.com has since confirmed the news with sources close to the situation. The event is expected to take place at the HSBC Arena in Rio de Janeiro.
Correia (9-0) has been campaigning for a shot at the UFC title after beating two of Rousey’s teammates last year, earning decision victories over Jessamyn Duke and scoring a second-round TKO against Shayna Baszler.
Rousey (11-0) recently defended her 135-pound title in February, submitting Cat Zingano in 14 seconds. Her last three title defenses have lasted a combined 1:36, which includes quick knockout finishes over Alexis Davis and Sara McMann. Correira flew to Los Angeles from Brazil to witness the win in person.
“That’s what I want to do,” Rousey told the Jay Mohr Sports about fighting Correia. “I want to go and fight her in Brazil and beat her in her hometown. That would be the best way I could really feel like I’ve vindicated my friends, to go to her hometown and beat her in her hometown and be total Rocky IV on it.”
“I beat her little friends in the United States, one of them in her hometown, so it’s a chance for Ronda to come try to avenge her losses,” Correia responded to MMAFighting.com. “Ronda got pissed that I beat them in front of her. I hope Ronda was a good friend, that she supported her friends when they lost to me, because she will need a shoulder to cry on after I beat her.”
“She said she wants to teach me a lesson in Brazil, that she’s going to put a finger in my face — and we all know which finger. But I’ll tell you one thing. She is dealing with a woman with attitude this time,” she continued. “I’m not Miesha Tate, who only laughed when she did that. If she comes with that, I will break her finger. I won’t let her do to me what she did to Miesha Tate. Don’t come to my country putting your finger in my face or you’re getting into trouble.”