Fellow country fighter be damned. Bethe Correia wants to fight Cris Cyborg.
Correia, a former bantamweight title contender, talked to MMA Fighting and told the site she wants to fight Cyborg. Both fighters are of Brazilian descent.
"Even though I don’t like to fight a fellow Brazilian, I’d be proud to fight Cris Cyborg," she said. "I know I’m capable of beating Cris Cyborg. I don’t see her as an unbeatable opponent. I always watch her fights, and I see ways to win. I’d fight her, for sure."
The 33 year old, Campina Grande, Praiba, Brazil native fought Ronda Rousey for the UFC Women’s Batamweight Championship last August in a losing effort at UFC 190. But she would not turn down a chance to face Cyborg.
"Of course. I don’t see any disadvantage in fighting Cyborg, she’s not an alien so there’s no need to run away from her or be scared," Correia said. "I respect Cris Cyborg. I would be happy to fight her. I’d never refuse a chance to fight her. If the UFC calls me after UFC 203, I’d definitely take it."
Cyborg, real name Cristiane Justino, is the current Invicta FC featherweight champion. She will slim to 140 pounds for her next UFC fight, fighting as a catchweight. Correia competes at 135 pounds, and wouldn’t be open to moving up to featherweight for a fight with Correia.
But that doesn’t change Correia’s mind.
"I only weigh a bit over 145," Correia said. "I’d do a catchweight like she’s doing in the UFC, at 140 pounds. I’d do it, no problem.”
Correia defeated Jessica Eye Saturday in the prelims of UFC 203 from Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland. Cyborg (16-1-0, 1NC) will fight the debuting Lina Lansberg. That fight will happen at UFC Fight Night 95, when the fight promotion returns to Brasilia, Brazil, on Sept. 24.
