Ronda Rousey finishes off Bethe Correia in just 34 seconds

THE lead up to UFC 190 has seen a string of trash talk between the two women’s bantamweight contenders. On fight night Rousey let her fists do the talking.

Rousey’s shocking knockout

THE main event in UFC 190 between Ronda Rousey and Bethe Correia promised to be an absolute cracker. And when Rousey and Correia refused to tap gloves at the start of the match, a sign of respect between fighters, we knew we were in for a ruthless match-up.

Both fighters came out of the blocks quickly, swinging hard to try to gain the upper hand. In typical Rousey style, the title holder managed to get an early takedown on the Brazilian, only to let her regain her feet.

Almost immediately the pair resumed trading blows as Rousey pushed her competitor to the fence with a flurry of punches and a knee to the body.

With a hard right punch to the temple, the number five ranked fighter, who claimed Rousey was not “mentally healthy” ahead of their fight, plummeted to the canvas face-first.

She was out before she hit the deck.

After one of the longest main event lead-ups in recent memory — with six out of twelve preliminary fights going to decision — Rousey made short work of her latest victim, who lasted just 34 seconds before the referee ended the fight.

Rousey’s victory over Correia gives her a total of 1 minute 29 seconds in the octagon across her last three title fights. That’s nothing short of impressive.

After the match, the former Olympian paid tribute to her idol former WWE star “Rowdy Roddy Piper”, who passed away yesterday. Ronda also gave mention to her father, given Correia’s insensitive comments surrounding suicide earlier this year.

Touching speech by the champ following another AMAZING performance! #UFC190 @RondaRousey http://t.co/90dp79lU7S

— #UFC190 (@ufc) August 2, 2015

Fans generated an outpouring of support for Rousey, who was the overwhelming favourite to retain the women’s bantamweight title.

AND STILL.. Wohoooooo!!!! 😍😍😍 #UFC190 pic.twitter.com/biJGfwrIFA

— Marian Mejia (@Bangssyow) August 2, 2015

Stay up til 6:30am to watch a @RondaRousey fight & Again it lasts the duration of a Vine! ⏳🙈 time to get some sleep, congrats Champ! #UFC190

— John Adderley⚽ (@John_Adderley) August 2, 2015

Couldn't think of a better way to spend my Saturday night watching my boo @RondaRousey get that DUB! #UFC190

— Cardale Jones (@CJ12_) August 2, 2015

Correia Should Sign The Octagon..Where She Face Planted..Thats A Piece Of Brazillian History.. #UFC190

— ..Joe~Money.. (@JoeMoney13) August 2, 2015

When Bruce Buffer's announcement is longer than @RondaRousey entire fight. #UFC190

— Wesley (@Mr_Wesketball) August 2, 2015

I think Correia did prove a few things though: hometown advantage, mind games, and even screaming in @RondaRousey face are useless. #UFC190

— Mr. B (@HITownMMA) August 2, 2015

It was yet another impressive performance by Rousey, who improved to 12-0 in her incredible MMA career.

The UFC’s biggest star arrived in Rio as the overwhelming favourite against Correia (9-1) after winning her previous three title defences in a combined 96 seconds. She needed only 14 seconds to beat Cat Zingano at UFC 184 earlier this year.

“It was kind of 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 UFC’s most dominant champion and is redefining the sport, has won 11 of her fights in the first round while being taken to the third round once.

Her last five wins had come through 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.

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

In the second-to-last fight on the main card on Saturday, Mauricio Rua topped Rogerio Nogueira with a unanimous decision in a fight between veteran Brazilian light heavyweight fighters.

Earlier, heavyweight Antonio Silva of Brazil beat Soa Palelei of Australia with a second-round knockout.

Originally published as Ronda Rousey finishes off Bethe Correia in just 34 seconds