The circumstances surrounding what was expected to be Bethe Correia’s retirement fight at UFC Vegas 38 were a near perfect reflection of the Brazilian’s rocky UFC career.
Correia, booked opposite Karol Rosa on Saturday, was cut from the promotion at one point last year. She wound up renegotiating a deal that afforded her a final fight against Wu Yanan this past January, only to be forced to withdraw due to appendicitis surgery.
Then came the booking with Rosa, an opportunity to put a neat little bow on her career. Only, for the second time in her UFC run, Correia missed weight for the fight.
Correia’s career had a very different start to it: after an undefeated run in Brazil’s regional scene, she entered the UFC and immediately won her first three fights. Two of those victories came against members of Ronda Rousey’s “Four Horsewomen” stable, a fact Correia used to secure a title shot for herself.
It didn’t go well, and Correia would post a 2-3-1 record following her loss to Rousey.
Rosa held center early against Correia on Saturday, with the former title challenger choosing to counter. Correia found her self under fire, but survived, and began firing leg kicks and jabs. Similar to the first barrage, Correia found herself in a clinch eating knees. Rosa continued to walk her opponent down, leading the fight, dictating where it took place, and putting Correia’s back against the fence.
Round two saw Rosa continue to find success on the feet, connecting with a left hand in the opening minute that caught Correia’s attention. Correia tried to work the body, but Rosa nailed her with a knee to the body on the way in. The Brazilian fired a combo in answer to a kick, but was soon driven up against the fence, and looking tired. Back in the open, Rosa landed another step in knee. Those knees were adding up, and she bullied Corria to the fence, adding elbows and more knees before the round closed out.
😳 @KarolRosaUFC just POURING it on to close out the second RD!
[ #UFCVegas38 | Prelims LIVE on @ESPNPlus ] pic.twitter.com/SuK7xXVFkw
— UFC (@ufc) October 2, 2021
The third round had Correia in need of a finish. She remained game, circling and engaging with Rosa at center. But Rosa’s jab was crisp, she was fresher, and her knees were absolute money. She cruised to the final buzzer, leaving no question as to the winner.
Official Result: Karol Rosa def. Bethe Correia by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
