Ronda Rousey finished her epic winning run in brutal fashion when she knocked out Bethe Correia at UFC 190 in August 2015.
‘Rowdy’ took the world by storm by becoming the first American woman to earn an Olympic medal in judo when she claimed bronze at the 2008 Summer Games in Beijing.
Rousey made MMA look easy for yearsCredit: Getty
Rousey retired from the sport at just 21 years old and spent the next few years training to become an MMA fighter before making her debut in March 2011.
The submission specialist tapped out her debut opponent in 25 seconds before beating five more women by armbar to earn a call from UFC CEO Dana White.
Two more wins with her signature submission followed before she became a legitimate superstar and showed off her evolving striking game with quick knockout wins over Sara McMann and Alexis Davis.
After amassing a perfect 11-0 record and revolutionising the sport of MMA in the process, Rousey was booked to face Brazilian contender Bethe Correia.
Correia, unlike most of Rousey’s opponents, decided the best approach to their UFC bantamweight title fight was to try to upset the champion with trash talk.
‘Pitbull’ caused outrage when she used ammunition from her opponent’s personal life, including her addiction issues and the death of her father, who committed suicide, to fuel her trash talk.
Rousey made Correia pay for her words on fight night.
The UFC Hall of Famer ran forward from the first bell and began throwing big punches before finding herself in the perfect position to score a takedown.
There was plenty of heat going into the UFC 190 main eventCredit: Getty Images – Contributor
‘Rowdy’ lived up to her nickname with the 34-second winCredit: Getty – Contributor
Correia tumbled to the floor, but instead of following her to the mat and locking up an armbar, Rousey allowed her to get back up before unleashing a devastating combination against the fence.
As the challenger tried to escape the onslaught of punches coming her way, Rousey connected with a straight right hand and knocked her out cold.
Correia collapsed face-first to the canvas after just 34 seconds.
‘I’m really happy with my performance,” Rousey told Joe Rogan post-fight.
Rousey trapped Correia against the fence and knocked her out coldCredit: Getty
Correia smashed her face on the floorCredit: UFC
“It wasn’t perfect, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. I think I proved a lot to myself and everybody else about the diversity of my style and what I can do in there. I don’t mind that everything ends quickly.
“It was kind of how I expected it. 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.”
“I guess she can’t really say anything about my hands anymore.”
The women’s MMA pioneer was asked if it was her latest win was more satisfying because she beat Correia in a striking battle, but she reacted by pointing out the pre-fight trash talk instead
Rousey never tasted victory in the Octagon againCredit: Getty
But she’s since found success away from MMA
Rousey said: “I hope nobody really brings up my family anymore when it comes to fights, and I hope this is the last time.”
Despite appearing to be at her blistering best against Correia, Rousey got knocked out by Holly Holm in her next fight before being retired by Amanda Nunes 13 months later at UFC 207 in December 2016.
Since walking away from MMA, Rousey has become one of professional wrestling’s biggest stars and used her favourite submission in the WWE.
Today, she is a free agent and is weighing up options before announcing her next move. MMA fans hope it’ll be a UFC comeback, but that appears to be unlikely.
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