Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE: What's the intrigue level of Ronda Rousey vs. Bethe Correia at UFC 190 in Brazil?
Mar 25, 2015 - 5:45:03 PM ROUNDTABLE: What's the intrigue level of Ronda Rousey vs. Bethe Correia at UFC 190 in Brazil?

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What's your interest level in Ronda Rousey vs. Bethe Correia at UFC 190 in Brazil? Do you see Correia giving Rousey any trouble whatsoever? Why or why not?


RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

I have a high-level of interest in a fight between Ronda Rousey and anybody. Doesn't matter who draws the short straw and has to face her; you put Rousey in a cage, I'm going to find a way to carve out the two minutes necessary to see the most brilliant and unique fighter in the sport today. It's not every day you get to see a world-class athlete ply their trade in a sport that doesn't pay the run of the mill fighter enough money to enter the sport from day one of their athletic prime. Case in point - and maybe not a perfect parallel – how good might Matt Mitrione have become had he been able to consider MMA from the beginning of adulthood? He made more money on the bottom of a few NFL rosters than he ever could have made while developing his MMA skill set. Absolutely the right call, but that right call deprived the sport of an elite athlete. Rousey's not just the best fighter in her division, she's the best athlete as well. When someone like that fights, I watch. Period.


DAYNE FOX, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I don't care that I already know the outcome, Ronda Rousey is must-see-TV. Back in Mike Tyson's heyday, you watched to see how fast he disposed of his competition. Ronda is the same way. I would be much more intrigued if there was an actual rival that could give Ronda a run for her money, but I don't see that (sorry, Holly Holm won't get to that level). Rousey's judo base is so strong and unique that she is a mismatch for every woman at 135 and 145 lbs... yes, I'm including Cyborg in there. There is no way that I see Ronda beating Correia in 14 seconds like her victory over Cat Zingano, but under a minute sounds more than plausible, and I do not see it going beyond the first round in any realistic scenario.


FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

My interest level is pretty high because it's in Brazil. I don't think Correia offers much resistance to Rousey, at least not enough to beat her. Rousey is fighting at such a high level that I won't believe she can lose until I see it. It doesn't matter whether she's fighting Cristiane "Cyborg" Justino, Miesha Tate, Cat Zingano, Alexis Davis, Jessica Eye, Liz Carmouche, etc. I will always expect Rousey to win until I see her lose. She's just been too dominant for anyone to pick against her.


KALE HAVERVOLD, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Meh. I don't think anyone outside of maybe Cyborg could instill any sort of excitement in me for a fight against Ronda. She is just so much better than all of her competition.


BRAD WALKER, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

My interest level in just about anyone fighting Rousey at this point is basically out the window because she constantly runs over the next "big threat" with great ease. She's like Fedor in his prime an unbeatable force with every tool possible that dispatches opponents no matter their name or skill level. Cyborg is the only option that really peaks my interest at this point, with Correia aiming to take out the "Four Horsewomen" it's a cool concept, but I just don't see her offering much in the way of a threat.


TOM STRONG, MMATORCH UK CONTRIBUTOR

I literally have zero interest in this fight, It's a fight that smacks of desperation from the UFC due to the lack of credible fighters in the women's bantamweight division. Bethe Correia offers very little, and the fight will last as long as it's taken me to type this reply, if she's lucky...


CASH NORMAN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

My interest level is zero, next question.

Bethe Correia is a good fighter, I somewhat enjoy her fights especially when she's beating down opponents such as Shayna Baszler. While it was a nice victory for Correia, I foresee the fight between Ronda Rousey and Bethe Correia being a total mismatch in favor of the champion; the main reason being Correia's striking against Baszler was slow and laborious. Rousey fights at a very quick and explosive pace. Thus far, the women in the bantamweight division have not been able to match her explosiveness nor skill set. This matchup won't be any different regardless of the country of origin.

The only thing interesting about this match is the fact the UFC is willingly broadcasting a pay-per-view in Brazil. Dana White insinuated the pay-per-view numbers for Rousey's fight against Cat Zingano were good, so it seems they're gambling that she can still draw numbers on an event outside the United States. We shall see, but unfortunately we'll have to wait weeks after the fight for an article on unsubstantiated numbers.


DAN MOORE, MMATORCH UK COLUMNIST

It serves a purpose, just like every other title fight Rousey has until Cyborg finally becomes a genuine opponent at 135 lbs. I predicted this fight a while ago, but at the time I was stating the bleeding obvious because there is no one else left. Rousey is taking this fight in Brazil because she knows Correia has absolutely nothing to offer her by way of a real challenge. Rousey will easily beat Correia and we'll all check the fight clock expecting her to do it quicker than Usain Bolt can run 100m