Still hoping for rematch, Bethe Correia doubts Ronda Rousey returns to the UFC

Will Ronda Rousey ever return to the Octagon? Bethe Correia, one of her biggest rivals in the UFC, isn’t counting on that.

Rousey was a megastar when she faced Correia at UFC 190 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on August of 2015. With most of the crowd backing the American against their countrywoman, Rousey finished “Pitbull" in 34 seconds to score her last victory in MMA.

The UFC star stepped inside the Octagon twice after that night, losing her UFC title to Holly Holm in Australia, and then getting finished by current champion Amanda Nunes at Las Vegas’ UFC 207 in December.

"I really didn't know how Ronda would return,” Correia told MMA Fighting of Rousey’s title fight with Nunes. "I think she had the skills to fight Amanda and win, but I didn't know how she would be. A fight is not just about what you train, half of the fight is your head. You can have the best camp or your life but you’re not mentally there, nothing works.”

Nunes demolished Rousey in just 48 seconds, and Correia admits she felt for her longtime rival.

"I’m her rival, I’m her enemy in the sport and in the personal area for everything that happened between us, but even enemies respect each other,” the Brazilian said. "The way she lost, I felt what she felt. It was similar to what I went through, a sub-minute loss, being caught in a way that you lose control.

"The same criticism she had to face I had to deal with, too. Being called an arrogant, that you bit your tongue. People said she was never that good, like people said about me. I felt that. I know I could have done better against Ronda, and I know Ronda could have done better against Amanda."

Correia, who is scheduled to face Marion Reneau at UFC Fight Night 106 in Fortaleza, Brazil, on March 11, doesn’t think Rousey will ever fight again, but would gladly offer her services if the MMA star decides to fight one more time.

"I hope she would come back because I want a rematch with her,” Correia said. "We have unfinished business, things to settle. But I believe she won’t come back. I always said she was too vain and wasn't mentally strong to lose. I think he vanity was an issue against Amanda. She thought she could go back and trade with her. She’s too vain to accept the defeat and start over. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’ll have the rematch, but I’d love that."