Bethe Correia was born in Campina Grande, Paraiba. She graduated from college with a degree in accounting, but gradually found that she was "too hyperactive for office work".[4] While practicing Sanda, Correia concluded that fighting provided what had been "missing" in her life, and sought to compete in mixed martial arts (MMA).[1][4]
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]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
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]
Bantamweight title shot
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]
Post title shot
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.[20]
Correia next faced Jessica Eye at UFC 203 on September 10, 2016, in Cleveland, Ohio.[21] She won the fight via split decision.[22]
Correia then faced Marion Reneau on March 11, 2017, at UFC Fight Night: Belfort vs. Gastelum.[23] 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).[24] 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."[25]
Correia was scheduled to face Irene Aldana on August 4, 2018, at UFC 227.[28] The bout was pulled from this event as Correia was forced to withdraw due to injury. The fight was not replaced.[29]
The bout with Aldana was rescheduled and is expected to take place on May 11, 2019, at UFC 237.[30] 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.[31] She lost the fight via submission in round three.[32]
Correia was scheduled to face Pannie Kianzad on May 9, 2020, at UFC 250.[35] Due to the event being relocated to the United States, Correia being unable to compete due to visa issues:[36] However, on April 9, Dana White, the president of UFC announced that this event was postponed to a future date[37] The bout eventually took place on July 26, 2020, at UFC on ESPN 14.[38] She lost the fight via unanimous decision [39]
Correia was scheduled to face Wu Yanan on December 5, 2020, at UFC on ESPN 19[40] However, due to visa issues which restricted travel for both participants, the matchup was rescheduled to January 16, 2021, at UFC on ABC 1.[41] Subsequently, Correia was forced to pull out of the bout in early January after undergoing surgery to remove her appendix.[42] She was replaced by promotional newcomer Joselyne Edwards.[43]
Correia faced Karol Rosa on October 2, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 193.[44] At the weigh-ins, Correia weighed in at 138.5 pounds, two and a half pounds over the women's bantamweight non-title fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight and Correia was fined 20% which went to her opponent Rosa.[45] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[46] She announced her retirement from professional MMA competition after the fight.[47]
Fighting style
Correia is a striker who largely uses boxing and grappling techniques. She is recognized for her punching combinations, counter strikes, spinning back fists, and aggressive right hands.[5][48] During her fight against Jessamyn Duke, she led by 100 strikes to Duke's 55.[5]
Correia is known for her use of dirty boxing and cutting off the cage. While clinching, she will usually move the fight toward the fence and attack with flurries.[49][50] At UFC 172, she used this technique to negate Jessamyn Duke's reach; she later used it to earn her stoppage against Shayna Baszler.[10]
