Ronda Rousey is a woman of the people.
The UFC's crown jewel and women's bantamweight champion fights No. 1 contender Bethe Correia in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, at the UFC 190 pay-per-view (PPV) event, which takes place tomorrow night (Sat., Aug. 1, 2015) inside HSBC Arena.
Rousey fought each of her five UFC fights in the United States, but hey, there is a first time for everything. Despite being tasked with eliminating the threat of Correia, the mixed martial arts (MMA) fans in Brazil have been welcoming.
"I wouldn't get mad if everybody came out here and they booed me. But I have to admit, it really warms my heart a lot to get such a warm reception from people who I respect so much," Rousey told reporters at UFC 190 open workouts (via MMA Fighting).
Brazilian fans have long been hard on Americans (just ask this guy).
"Rowdy," however, is of a different breed. The 28-year-old has made a mockery of the 135-pound division by dispatching five-straight accomplished women with relative ease, backing up her brash persona in the process.
Though she would beg to differ.
On Saturday night, Rousey plans on showing her outspoken opponent no mercy, leaving behind a piece of gold as a gift.
"I would understand if I walk out on Saturday and everyone boos me at the top of their lungs. I would still be happy that they would care that much," said Rousey. "She said that the Brazilian people deserve to have the belt left here. So I've decided that after I win it, I'm going to make sure that when I have the belt, I don't take it home with me. I'm going to give it and make sure that it stays someplace in Brazil as my gift."
Rousey is expected to enter her bout with "Pitbull" as a sizable favorite, but the pair share at least one thing in common: An undefeated record. Critics will point out the lack of competition Correia has faced and that is a valid point.
The 32-year-old challenger does not have a win in the top 10 of her division, with all-due respect to her previous opponents. What she appears to have is an unflappable belief in herself and a great voice.
It's easy to see why Rousey is heavily favored, because it is hard to argue against her recent body of work: two straight finishes in a combined 30 seconds of total Octagon time.
Correia has the potential to make things interesting, but I do not see an escape plan for her. Not with the skills Rousey has developed on the feet and on the ground.
She is a woman with a plan and my best guess is she executes it.
MMA Video: Ronda Rousey's complete workout
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