UFC Fight Night 111 fight card: Holly Holm vs Bethe Correia preview

Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Bantamweight strikers Holly Holm and Bethe Correia will clash this Saturday (June 17, 2017) at UFC Fight Night 111 inside Singapoore Indoor Arena in Kallang, Singapoore.

This is one of the fights where I’m glad it’s my job to analyze the fight itself, rather than say, why the hell it’s a main event in the first place?

At any rate, Holm’s recent drop off has been hard to miss. After an undefeated streak saw her capture the title and dismantle Ronda Rousey in legendary fashion, Holm has since lost three straight bouts opposite top contenders. She’s still in the main event, only now her event is taking place in the middle of the morning across the ocean.

Meanwhile, Bethe Correia talks about “The Bethe effect” — her ability to draw fans to her fights — and we all laugh, but she’s doing something right. Despite her fairly average skill set, Correia is one of her division’s most frequent competitors and will have a spot in her second main event.

Let’s take a closer look at the keys to victory for both women.

Holly Holm

Record: 10-3

Key Wins: Ronda Rousey (UFC 193), Raquel Pennington (UFC 184), Marion Reneau (UFC Fight Night 71)

Key Losses: Germaine de Randamie (UFC 208), Miesha Tate (UFC 196), Valentina Shevchenko (UFC on FOX 20)

Keys to Victory: Now that we’ve seen Holm at the top of the world as well as on the wrong side of some losses, we have a clear understanding of her strengths and weaknesses. Inside the cage, Holm is a very capable range striker, throwing at high-volume and doing most of her damage with kicks.

In this bout, distance will be the key for Holm. Despite her excellence in the boxing ring, Holm is remarkably easy to counter in mixed martial arts (MMA), and Correia is surprisingly decent with her counter strikes.

Luckily, that potential problem can be avoided simply by staying an extra step away.

Correia is not a particularly good kicker. Her low kicks are okay, but she does not move fluidly into kicks. Holm, on the other hand, can kick and move all night long, which should all her to score points and frustrate the Brazilian to no end.

Bethe Correia

Record: 10-2-1

Key Wins: Jessica Eye (UFC 203) Julie Kedzie (UFC Fight Night 33), Shayna Baszler (UFC 177)

Key Losses: Ronda Rousey (UFC 190), Raquel Pennington (UFC on FOX 19)

Keys to Victory: Correia is further proof that even in the modern day UFC, solid conditioning and desire can take a fighter pretty far. Correia wins the majority of her bouts standing up, pushing forward with constant activity and combinations.

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In a bout between volume strikers that’s very likely to go to a decision, it’s all about the numbers. Neither woman is likely to put much of a hurting on the other, so whoever lands the most will probably win.

To that end, Correia really should focus on body work. Holm moves her head well on the outside, but the torso is a much larger target. If Correia can consistently tag her opponent’s mid-section, it could go a long way in slowing her down.

Additionally, the occasional takedown attempt — either from the clinch or from a caught kick — would not be a bad idea. Again, this fight is all about points on the judges’ scorecards, and nothing scores higher than a takedown.

Bottom Line: The winner is relevant to the Bantamweight title picture (kind of).

In Holm’s case, she’s one of the biggest names in her division and has yet to face the current champion. If she returns to the win column, a battle with Amanda Nunes in the near future is very possible. It may not go well, but Holm will likely get an opportunity to recapture her strap.

If Holm losses this bout, “The Preacher’s Daughter” is no longer anywhere close to the strap and may retire.

In recent years, Correia has solidified her position as a gatekeeper to the top 10. This is a chance for the Brazilian to climb into those ranks herself and make a second climb towards a title shot. If we’re being honest, though, there’s little chance of that ever happening, unless Correia manages to instigate another champion.

Alternatively, a loss doesn’t do much to hurt Correia, as she’s given very little chance of winning.

At UFC Fight Night 111, Holly Holm and Bethe Correia will battle in the main event. Which woman will have her hand raised?