Bethe Correia has made it clear she wants a piece of UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey.
On Saturday, Rousey made it clear the feeling is mutual. Speaking to reporters at UFC Fight Night 51 in Brasilia, Brazil, Rousey says she wants to fight Correia and wouldn’t mind doing it on Correia’s home turf.
“I want to fight Bethe,” Rousey said. “I would love to fight Bethe in Brazil, actually, I think that would be an amazing event and I want to be part of it.”
Correia has gotten Rousey’s attention not just with her work in the ring, but also by taking out Rousey’s training partners. The 9-0 Correia has beaten two of Rousey’s “Four Horsewomen” training partners in his past two fights, going to a decision against Jessamyn Duke at UFC 172 and finishing Shayna Baszler at UFC 177.
Rousey, for her part, said she appreciates what Correia has done to get her attention … and wishes more women’s fighters would do the same.
“I think it’s extremely intelligent of her,” Rousey said. “I think it’s one of the things that was missing in women’s MMA before I came along and I’m glad the girls are taking the hint and making themselves a lot more interesting for the fans. The storylines and the backstory is extremely important because the fight becomes more than just about who is athletically better. It becomes about who is right. So the fan’s favorite, it becomes very personal as well. I think it’s very smart what she’s doing, she’s not going to get away with it, but she’s very smart.”
Of course, Correia isn’t the only fighter on Rousey’s radar. Later in the interview, Rousey, who indicated her top choice is to fight on the same card as Jon Jones and Daniel Cormier on Jan. 3 in Las Vegas, said that Gina Carano and Cat Zingano still rank high among her preferred foes.
“Yeah, I definitely think she’s ready to challenge me. She’s one of the best in the division, she’s a top contender, and as soon as Dana think it’s her time, I’m ready to find her.
“I think the two fights I would like the most are either Gina Carano, or Cat Zingano,” Rousey said. “I know [Zingano is] recovering. I talked to her personally and I told her one day we are going to have a title fight that you deserve. I’m going to beat you, but you’re going to have it. She’s had a very, very rough year and it’s exactly what she need. I’d be happy to provide that experience for her.”