Ronda Rousey uses Bethe Correia jibe about father's suicide as motivation to deliver 34 second knockout in Brazil at UFC 190

'I hope that nobody really brings up my family anymore when it comes to fights,' said Rousey who won her 12th fight


 Ronda Rousey (right) on her way to beating Bethe Correia in their title fight in August
 (Reuters)

UFC champion Ronda Rousey said she 'hopes' that no one will bring up her family as a way to taunt her in the build-up to fights.

Rousey took just 34 seconds to knock out Brazilian Bethe Correia to retain her undefeated status at UFC 190 on Saturday night in Rio de Janeiro.

The 28-year-old had gleaned extra motivation after Correia had taunted her over the suicide of her father - although later claimed she had no idea that he had done so.

"I hope that nobody really brings up my family anymore when it comes to fights," said Rousey after the victory. "I hope this is the last time."

Rousey responded on social media with Correia immediately issuing an apology and stating that she wasn't aware her father had committed suicide, but UFC president Dana White said the Brazilian "absolutely did" know.

"She's been playing that game," he said ahead of the fight. "There's people that are really good at playing the head games. Conor McGregor is one of the best I've ever seen. And Bethe has been doing that for sure. But Ronda is a tough one to do it with. Ronda is one of the most mentally strong human beings I've ever met in my life."

Rousey celebrates after victory (Reuters)

Also spurred on by the death of idol former WWE wrestler 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper, Rousey defended her bantamweight title by throwing a rapid sequence of punches at the Brazilian's head, landing a combination of right and left strikes that sent her opponent face-first into the ground and disappointed the local fans packing the HSBC Arena.

It was yet another impressive performance by Rousey, who improved to 12-0 in her incredible MMA career. She has been crushing her opponents inside the octagon, but this victory seemed special.

The Brazilian lasted just 34 seconds (Reuters)

"We've lost a really close friend, 'Rowdy' Roddy Piper, who gave me his permission to use his name as a fighter, so I hope he and my dad had a good time watching this today," Rousey said.

The UFC's biggest star, Rousey arrived in Rio as the overwhelming favorite against Correia (9-1) after winning her previous three title defenses in a combined 96 seconds. She needed only 14 seconds to beat Cat Zingano at UFC184 earlier this year.

"It kind of went how I expected it," Rousey said. "I planned to instead of trying to force a clinch, overwhelm her (by) striking first so that she would want to clinch first, and that's exactly what happened."

Rousey, who has been redefining the sport, has won 11 of her fights in the first round while being taken to the third round once. She has finished most of her opponents with her signature armbar, but this time it was her striking force that made the difference.

"I guess she can't really say anything about my hands anymore," Rousey said of Correia.

Rousey's next opponent will likely be fellow American Miesha Tate.

Additional reporting from PA