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Ronda Rousey promises to prolong Bethe Correia fight after Brazilian makes 'suicide' remark ahead of UFC 190 clash

Rousey's father committed suicide and the UFC Women's Bantamweight champion has said she will take Correia to 'a Jesus meeting'

Jack de Menezes
Friday 29 May 2015 10:53 BST
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Rousey has never lost in the UFC
Rousey has never lost in the UFC

Ronda Rousey has hit back at Bethe Correia after she made comments about the reigning UFC Women’s Bantamweight champion that included a reference to committing suicide.

28-year-old Rousey faces Correia in the main event of UFC 190 on 1 August, which takes place in Correia’s home of Brazil as the Octagon comes to Rio de Janeiro.

Speaking in a recent interview with globo.com, the Brazilian claimed that the undefeated Rousey will crack under pressure when they meet in just over two months’ time, and made reference to her mother as well as claiming “I hope she doesn’t commit suicide.”

Ronda Rousey is the reigning UFC Bantamweight champion

"Ronda talks about being a superwoman, a hero, but is a woman like me,” said Correia. “Actually, I’m way stronger, I come from an underdeveloped country, where people fight to survive. It’s a lot different form the reality of her life.

“Under pressure, she’s showing she’s weak. When mommy put some pressure, she ran away from home.”

Bethe Correia (left) will fight Rousey in front of her home fans
Correia faces Rousey on 1 August in Rio De Janeiro

Correia also referenced Rousey’s claim in her autobiography that she was “smoking and drinking heavily, often beginning her day with a cigarette and a vodka espresso” following a defeat at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, and even developed a “pot-and-Vicodin” habit.

“When she lost, she did drugs,” added Correia. “That’s not a super hero. I want to see her reaction when I put some pressure against her. I want her to feel pressure and realize that I’m ready to fight her.

“She doesn’t have a good head, she needs to get help. There are a lot of people around her, she’s winning, but when she realizes that’s not everything, I don’t know what might happen. I hope she doesn’t commit suicide."

Rousey has been in the limelight recently for her role in Furious 7

But Rousey, whose father committed suicide, has unsurprisingly taken exception to her opponent’s comments and has promised to make the fight last longer than her previous bouts – which have ended in seconds – in order to inflict as much pain as possible on the 31-year-old.

"This fight has gone pretty personal for me and when I finish fights quickly, that's really me at my most merciful," Rousey said in an interview with Sports Illustrated.

"My dad would call it a ‘come to Jesus meeting’. I’m going all the way down to Brazil to a ‘come to Jesus meeting’ with this chick. No, I’m not gonna [sic] end it quickly. But not because I can’t end it quickly, because I choose to."

She added on Twitter: "@bethecorreia suicide is no joke or selling point. My father will be with me the day I hand you the comeuppance you deserve."

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