Bethe Correia believes that, sometimes, confidence is more important than physical ability. Take, for example, UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey.
The Brazilian Correia is now 2-0 in the UFC's bantamweight division and will fight Rousey's friend and teammate Shayna Baszler Saturday at UFC 177. Though Correia respects Rousey's skills, she believes that the reason the "Rowdy" one has been able to dominate in MMA thus far is because she's simply more confident than her opponents.
"It?s not that she?s better than the opponents she?s fought, but they don?t believe in themselves," she said in a recent interview with Guilherme Cruz.
"Her look shows it. They don?t feel they are better than Ronda. Ronda has this aura that she?s unbeatable. She needs to face someone that looks into her eyes and says ?you can?t beat me.?"
Correia, of course, believes that she is one such fighter. She plans to beat Baszler and then wants a title shot against Rousey.
"I think they lack of confidence...Ronda believes in herself, and the others get in there afraid of her. I?m not. I?m not afraid of her," she continued.
"I think I deserve a title shot. I will be 3-0 in the UFC with another win. That?s my dream and that?s what I?m fighting for. Let them decide. If they think I deserve it, I will honor this chance and do a great show."
Correia says she won't wilt under pressure and is in the UFC for just one thing - gold. "I?m not in the UFC to be just another fighter," she explained.
"I will get to the title one way or the other...I want a title shot and I will get there by talking or fighting - or both. I want the title and nobody can stop me."
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