Bethe Correia

Correia studied a number of techniques at the onset of her MMA career, including jiu-jitsu, Sanda, and amateur wrestling.[1] She would eventually develop a preference for striking, particularly boxing.[1][5]

She made her professional MMA debut in her native Brazil in May 2012, defeating Daniela Maria da Silva by unanimous decision at the First Fight: Revelations show. Training with the "Pitbull" brothers, Patrício and Patricky Freire, she won her first six fights within 13 months.[4]

In October 2013, Correia signed a multi-fight deal with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).[6] Correia noted, "Being in the UFC is having the chance to fight with the best in the world and accept big challenges. It's the dream of any fighter."[1]

Correia made her promotional debut the following December as she faced MMA veteran Julie Kedzie at UFC Fight Night: Hunt vs. Bigfoot.[7] At the time, Correia had fought in six professional bouts, while Kedzie had competed in 28.[4] Correia won the fight via split decision.[8]

She then faced Jessamyn Duke on April 26, 2014 at UFC 172. Despite her reach disadvantage, Correia used quick striking to out-point Duke, and closed the gap by backing Duke toward the cage.[5] She won the fight by unanimous decision (30–27, 29–28, and 30–27).[8]

Correia faced Shayna Baszler on August 30, 2014 at UFC 177.[9] After escaping a submission attempt in the first round, Correia became more aggressive with her striking and won by TKO at 1:56 of round 2.[10]

Following her third consecutive win in the UFC, Correia was challenged by former Strikeforce bantamweight champions Sarah Kaufman and Miesha Tate.[11][12] "A lot of girls from the UFC roster want a bout with me," Correia noted.[12] She initially expressed interest in fighting Kaufman, but later stated that she was focused on getting a title shot against then-UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey. "I want to face the champion," she said.[12]

After her earlier victory over Duke, a member of Rousey's informal "Four Horsewomen" stable, Correia began campaigning for a title shot against Rousey, holding four fingers to the camera and symbolically putting one down. She did likewise after beating Horsewoman Baszler.[13] In March 2015, UFC officials confirmed that Correia would fight Rousey for the title on August 1, 2015, at UFC 190.[14]

Despite the fact that Rousey had finished all but one of her previous fights within a round, Correia displayed much confidence heading into the bout, stating that she planned to give Rousey the worst beating of her career.[15] Subsequently, Correia lost the fight by knockout in only 34 seconds of the first round.[16]

Following UFC 190, Correia expressed interest in bouts with Miesha Tate and Jessica Eye, but claimed that both women had declined.[17][18] Eye denied the claim and offered to fight Correia in Spring 2016.[19] In April 2016, Correia fought Raquel Pennington at UFC on Fox: Teixeira vs. Evans, losing via split decision.

Correia next faced Jessica Eye at UFC 203 on September 10, 2016 in Cleveland, Ohio.[20] She won the fight via split decision.

Correia then faced Marion Reneau on March 11, 2017 at UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Gastelum.[21] The back-and-forth fight saw strong moments from both women, ultimately ending in a majority draw (29–27 Reneau, 28–28, and 28–28).[22] After the fight, Reneau disagreed with the result and said “I believe she won the first round; maybe she might’ve edged me out a little bit. I think I definitely won the second – and for sure I won the third round."[23]

Correia faced Holly Holm at UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Correia on June 17, 2017 in Singapore.[24] She lost the fight via a head kick knockout in the third round.[25]

Correia was scheduled to face Irene Aldana on August 4, 2018 at UFC 227.[26] The bout was pulled from this event as Correia was forced to withdraw due to injury. The fight was not replaced.[27]

The bout with Aldana was rescheduled and is expected to take place on May 11, 2019 at UFC 237.[28] At the weigh-ins, Correia weighed in at 141 lbs, 5 pounds over the bantamweight limit of 136 lbs. She was fined 30% of her fight purse and the bout proceeded at catchweight.[29] She lost the fight via submission in round three.[30]

Correia faced Sijara Eubanks at UFC on ESPN+ 17.[31] She won the fight by unanimous decision.[32]

Correia was scheduled to face Pannie Kianzad on May 9, 2020 at UFC 250.[33] Due to the event being relocated to the United States, Correia being unable to compete due to visa issues:[34] However, on April 9, Dana White, the president of UFC announced that this event was postponed to a future date[35] The bout eventually took place on July 26, 2020 at UFC on ESPN 14.[36] She lost the fight via unanimous decision [37]

Correia was scheduled to face Wu Yanan on December 5, 2020 at UFC on ESPN 19[38] However, due to visa issues, they were rescheduled to UFC on ABC 1 on January 16, 2021.[39]

However, on early January 2021, Corria was forced to pull from the bout due to she underwent a surgery to remove her appendix. It is unclear at this stage if a replacement would be sought by UFC officials.[40] On early January 2021, it was reported that Corria was forced to pull from the bout due to she underwent a surgery to remove her appendix,[41] and announced her retirement from the sport.[42]