Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Bethe Correia managed to outpoint Sijara Eubanks while being sick and suffering from a back injury at UFC Mexico.
Bethe Correia’s first win in three years was nothing short of dramatic. After dropping the first round of her bout against Sijara Eubanks at UFC Mexico, the ‘Pitbull’ came back to win the other two and pick up a unanimous decision during the card’s preliminary portion.
However, in an interview with Combate, Correia explains that she had to overcome adversity outside of the Octagon, as well. Namely, a nagging back injury that could have jeopardized the fight and, later on, a mysterious stomach bug on fight day, which got Bethe sick enough to vomit everything she ate that day.
“It was a relief (to win the fight),” Correia said. “I don’t think many people know what an athlete goes through. During my camp, I couldn’t walk for three days because, I had a problem in my lower back. They wanted to cancel the fight, but I was stubborn. I came to Mexico early, I made great friends here, I prepared a lot. There was another thing, too, that nobody knows how it happened. I threw up everything I ate on fight day. That added a lot of pressure, people were saying I had to win. That’s why I let it all out the way I did (after the win).”
Although Bethe herself is the first one to admit to having going over the top with her post-fight dance celebration, Correia felt like it was the only way to express what she felt at the moment, which was the happiness of winning a fight after losing the first round.
“I celebrated because I liked my performance,” Correia said. “I struggled in the first round, but I think I recovered very well afterwards. I was sure I was going to win. I kept my cool on account of my experience. I’ve been through everything I went through in that fight before. I put in my head that she would not take me down. I started to land my hardest shots and it worked.”
“The little dance was cringey, I never plan that, I just wait and see what happens.” Bethe continued. “I think I exaggerated this time around. Even I was a little embarassed when I watched the video. The people who follow me loved it, though. They sent me a lot of messages.”
Before the win, the 36-year-old suffered losses to Irene Aldana and Holly Holm. and fought Marion Reneau to a majority draw before both defeats. Her latest win before beating ‘Sarj’ was a September 2016 split decision victory over Jessica Eye.