Just weeks ago, it appeared the octagon had seen the last of Bethe Correia. In a report confirmed by UFC officials, the former women’s bantamweight title challenger was listed as cut by the promotion. However, Correia announced this week that she will return for one final fight in the octagon, before calling it a career and retiring.
That fight will come against Wu Yanan on December 5.
Claiming that reports of her being cut were “lies,” Correia wrote on her official Instagram account that “Yes! This will be my last fight and it could not be at any event other than the one and only UFC.”
“Countless lies have been told out there, but I remained centered! I know who I am and I know my story. I have a strong and daring personality that has been the essence of my career and has added many rivalries that strengthened Women’s MMA,” she continued. “What I leave behind me is my legacy of a fighter who has a bold posture, presentation and unique celebration style in the fighting world. A personality that makes many curious to know more about me. It’s not by chance that #betheeffect is out there. Love me or hate me, in the end everybody wanted to stop to watch me fight. I reached Pay Per View record numbers that back then had not been reached for many years. I have fought the very best and I always made the news. I am certain that I have left my mark and now it’s time to let a new generation arise.”
Now 37, Correia (11-5-1) has won just two fights since her failed title bid against Ronda Rousey at UFC 190 in 2015. The Brazilian began her UFC career on the three fight win streak, including victories over Jessamyn Duke and Shana Baszler. As two of Rousey’s “Four Horsewomen” that was enough to earn her a title shot against the champ, forgoing having to fight the other contenders in the division at the time. The buyrate for the event was in the 900,000 range — a number that would be impressive today, although it has been eclipsed multiple times since.
In her most recent outing, Correia lost a unanimous decision to Invicta FC and TUF alum Pannie Kianzad. Prior to that, she earned her own decision win against Sijara Eubanks. Overall, Correira sits at 5-5-1 in her UFC career.
