A crash course to UFC 190: Ronda Rousey vs. Bethe Correia

Inside the matchup between Ronda Rousey and Bethe Correia at UFC 190.

Author:
Jeff Wagenheim
Publish date:
Jul 27, 2015

Everything you need to know about this weekend's big fightat UFC 190.

Overview

This is a mismatch. There’s no way to tiptoe around that unmistakable truth.

That’s not to suggest you shouldn’t watch. The opportunity to see one of the elites in mixed martial arts—or in any sport, or any pursuit—comes along only ever so often. If LeBron and the Cavs are on TV, you’re wise to strongly consider tuning in, even if the opposition is the Timberwolves or Knicks.

And James plays 82 games a year, plus playoffs. The greats in almost all sports—from Manning to Messi, Serena to Crosby—typically perform at least a couple dozen times a year. Ronda Rousey, on the other hand, fights just twice annually. But even when those performances last just 14 seconds, or 16 seconds, or 66 seconds (as has been the case with her last three bouts) “Rowdy Ronda” is something to behold.

Of course, her brilliance comes with a price tag. So it’s between you and your wallet to decide whether to plop down $60 to see the electrifying Rousey defend her bantamweight championship on Saturday night against undefeated but largely untested Bethe Correia in the main event of UFC 190 in Rio de Janeiro (10 p.m. ET, PPV).

The unbreakable Ronda Rousey is the world's most dominant athlete

Rousey (11–0), who will be putting her belt on the line for the sixth time, has been made to break a sweat beyond the first round only once, and has ended seven fights within their first minute. The 2008 Olympic judo bronze medalist, 28, is No. 1 in the SI.com pound-for-pound fighter rankings. She’s the most dominant athlete not just in this sport, but in all of sports.

Her longshot challenger, a 32-year-old Brazilian known for her striking fury, ranks No. 10 among 135-pound women in the SI.com tally, though it’s a tenuous placement given that she has yet to face a top-10 opponent. Correia (9–0) story-lined her way into this title fight by beating up Rousey's training partners in her last two outings. If she were to win this one, it would be the biggest upset in UFC history.

Perhaps to make it a fairer fight, Correia is being afforded the rare opportunity to challenge for the belt on her own turf. Then again, HSBC Arena in Rio is 1,200 miles from her hometown, Natal, roughly the distance between New York and Kansas City. And Rousey is popular in Brazil. So who knows if this really will constitute a home game for Correia?

In addition to the pay-per-view telecast of Saturday night’s seven-fight main card, four prelims will be shown on Fox Sports 1, starting at 8 p.m. ET, and the event’s first two bouts will be available on the UFC Fight Pass online service at 7 p.m. ET.

• FANSIDED: UFC on FOX 16 results: Miesha Tate def. Jessica Eye

Background

It all started when Correia gave Rousey the fingers. Plural.

She had just pushed her record to 7–0 in her second UFC bout, with her opponent on this April 2014 night being Jessamyn Duke, whose entrance into the fight promotion had come as a member of a Rousey-coached team on The Ultimate Fighter. Duke befriended the champ during the reality show taping, and now is among a trio of fighters which travels like a pack with Rousey. In Entourage terms, Jessamyn is the Turtle to Ronda’s Vince. But actually this quartet is more WWE Network than HBO, going by the name "The Four Horsewomen," adapting the moniker of a renowned pro wrestler stable.

Bellator president discusses Ronda Rousey's UFC future

So when Correia had her hand raised that night in Baltimore, she held up four fingers, then lowered one of them. This was a message for Rousey.

Four months later, Correia faced another "Horsewoman," Shayna Baszler, and after scoring a second-round TKO, the Brazilian held up three fingers, then lowered one, having eliminated another member of the champ’s entourage.

It was bombastic theater. The show apparently earned a thumbs-up from UFC reviewers/matchmakers because the Brazilian was given a shot on her weight division’s most brightly lit stage without a single top-10 victory. A rationale for this: Rousey already has beaten six of the nine women behind her in the SI.com bantamweight rankings, two others just lost fights, and the one remaining is Correia.

But here’s the thing Correia’s digital theatrics don’t take into account: Baszler has lost her last three fights, four of her last five; Duke is 1–2 in the UFC. What Correia soon will understand is that essentially all of the horsepower driving the "Horsewomen" comes from one “Rowdy” source.

Last five fights

Rousey
2/28/15 Cat Zingano W Sub. 1
7/5/14 Alexis Davis W KO 1
2/22/12 Sara McMann W TKO 1
12/28/13 Miesha Tate W Sub. 3
2/23/13 Liz Carmouche W Sub 1

Correia
8/30/14 Shayna Baszler W TKO 2
4/26/14 Jessamyn Duke W UD 3
12/7/13 Julie Kedzie W SD 3
6/29/13 Erica Paes W UD 3
6/1/13 Juliete de Souza TKO 2

Tale of the tape

* Official weights announced at the weigh-in (Friday, 4:30 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1)

Other numbers to count on

3.29: Average fight time, in minutes and seconds, for Ronda Rousey, the second shortest in UFC history, according to FightMetric. (No. 1, at 3:18, is Todd Duffee, but two of his five UFC bouts were losses.)

2: Finishes by Bethe Correia, who has seen seven of her bouts go to decision. Rousey has finished all 11 of her fights, 10 in Round 1, seven in the first minute.

0: Submissions attempted by Correia in her three UFC bouts.

Greatest hits

Rousey's last title defense (don't blink):

[youtube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAAUab1d-KQ]

Correia saddles up against a Horsewoman:

[youtube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cDudEIhC15U]

Matchup

Correia is an aggressive fighter, which puts her squarely in the crosshairs of Rousey’s sublime grappling game. But considering the mixture of personal grudge and mismatch, don’t be surprised if the champ chooses to stand and bang for a bit—in much the same way a cat paws a captured mouse before the inevitable kill.

Such a characterization might seem disrespectful toward Correia. That’s not the intention here. The challenge is to describe the gap between Rousey and the rest of the UFC women’s bantamweight division without sounding hyperbolic. The champ simply makes embellishment unnecessary.

Correia’s lonesome chance here is the quintessential puncher’s. She has only two career finishes, but she always goes for it. She’ll certainly be in hot pursuit on Saturday, for as long as she can keep this fight standing. Once it hits the mat, though, all of the finger gestures in the world aren’t going to help her.

The odds

Rousey is an overwhelming favorite, with a money line ranging from -1300 (bet $1,300 to win $100) to -1800 (bet $1,800 to win $100) at various sportsbooks. The line of Correia ranges from +600 (bet $100 to win $600) to +1190 (bet $100 to win $1,190).

Prediction

Do you really have to ask?

Rousey by whatever she wants to end it with, whenever she chooses to end it.

Fighting Words

Ronda Rousey jabs Floyd Mayweather for domestic violence history

“I will give her the opportunity to try and get the belt back. Please don’t kill yourself—don’t commit suicide, because I will give you the rematch.”

—Bethe Correia, speaking to the Brazilian outlet Combate, raises eyebrows by referencing suicide in trash-talking Ronda Rousey (whose father took his own life)

“Suicide is no joke or selling point. My father will be with me the day I hand you the comeuppance you deserve.”

—Rousey, responding via Twitter (Correia later apologized, claiming she did not know about the death of the champ’s dad)

The rest of the card

T.J. Dillashaw defends belt, proves first win over Renan Barão no fluke

Maurício “Shogun” Rua vs. Antônio Rogério Nogueira, light heavyweight; Glaico França vs. Fernando Bruno, lightweight; Dileno Lopes vs. Reginaldo Vieira, bantamweight; Stefan Struve vs. Antônio Rodrigo Nogueira, heavyweight; Antônio “Bigfoot” Silva vs. Soa Palelei, heavyweight; Cláudia Gadelha vs. Jessica Aguilar, strawweight.

Preliminary card (8 p.m. ET, Fox Sports 1): Demian Maia vs. Neil Magny, welterweight; Rafael Cavalcante vs. Patrick Cummins, light heavyweight; Warlley Alves vs. Nordine Taleb, welterweight; Iuri Alcântara vs. Leandro Issa, men’s bantamweight.

Online prelims (7 p.m., UFC Fight Pass): Vitor Miranda vs. Clint Hester, middleweight; Hugo Viana vs. Guido Cannetti, men’s bantamweight.

Programming Notes

Mike Goldberg will handle blow-by-blow and Joe Rogan analysis for the main-card telecast on pay-per-view as well as prelims on Fox Sports 1 and the UFC Fight Pass. There will be an hour-long postfight show on Fox Sports 1, starting at 1:30 a.m. ET.

GALLERY: CLASSIC PHOTOS OF RONDA ROUSEY

Classic Photos of Ronda Rousey

Ronda Rousey :: Jan. 23, 2016

Dana Edelson/NBC/NBCU Photo Bank via Getty Images

Here are some candid and not so candid photos of UFC fighter Ronda Rousey, who hosted Saturday Night Live on Jan. 23. In this sketch she appears with Taran Killam as Dan.

Ronda Rousey :: Jan. 23, 2016

Kenan Thompson and Ronda Rousey during the City Council sketch on the Jan. 23, 2016 episode of Saturday Night Live.

Ronda Rousey :: Jan. 23, 2016

Ronda Rousey with SNL participants (from left) Jon Rudnitsky, Bobby Moynihan, Selena Gomez, Rousey, Aidy Bryant, Vanessa Bayer and Jay Pharoah during the monologue.

Ronda Rousey :: January 2016

Singer Selena Gomez, Ronda Rousey, and Cecily Strong are caught on stage in a practice for the Jan. 23 Saturday Night Live show.

Ronda Rousey :: Nov. 14, 2015

Ronda Rousey is attended to after suffering a second-round knockout at the hands of Holly Holm at UFC 193 in Australia.

Ronda Rousey :: Oct. 27, 2015

Ronda Rousey responds to questions during media day in Glendale, Calif., ahead of her showdown with Holly Holm.

Ronda Rousey :: Oct. 27, 2015

Rousey hosts Media Day ahead of her Nov. 14 fight in Australia.

Ronda Rousey :: Oct. 27, 2015

Brandon Magnus/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ronda Rousey spars with a partner during a media training session.

Ronda Rousey :: Oct. 16, 2015

Joshua Blanchard /Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Rousey poses in front of a mural created in her honor in Venice, Calif.

Ronda Rousey :: Oct. 6, 2015

Mike Stobe/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ronda Rousey poses for a photo at the London NYC hotel ahead of UFC 193.

Ronda Rousey :: Sept. 17, 2015

Brendon Thorne/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ronda Rousey poses with a fans during a UFC 193 Sydney fan event.

Ronda Rousey :: Sept. 16, 2015

Michael Dodge/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ronda Rousey and her November opponent, Holly Holm, take centre stage during a UFC 193 media event.

Ronda Rousey :: Sept. 16, 2015

Ronda Rousey takes selfies with fans during a UFC 193 media event at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Australia.

Ronda Rousey :: Sept. 16, 2015

Ronda Rousey arrives during a UFC 193 media event at Etihad Stadium.

Ronda Rousey :: Aug. 4, 2015

Buda Mendes/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ronda Rousey and her mother, AnnMaria De Mars (3rd from right), present a championship belt to a judo school and social project owned by Olympic bronze medalist Flavio Canto in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Ronda Rousey :: Aug. 2, 2015

Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ronda Rousey after her 34-second victory over Bethe Correia.

Ronda Rousey :: Aug. 1, 2015

Ronda Rousey and Bethe Correia at their weigh in.

Ronda Rousey :: July 15, 2015

Ronda Rousey accepts the Best Female Athlete award during The 2015 ESPYS at Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles.

Ronda Rousey :: July 15, 2015

Robert Laberge/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Former boxer Mike Tyson meets Ronda Rousey during a media training session at the Glendale Fight Club.

Ronda Rousey :: April 27, 2015

Ronda Rousey poses during a photo shoot for SI in Los Angeles.

Ronda Rousey :: April 27, 2015

Ronda Rousey trains during a photo shoot for SI in Los Angeles.

Ronda Rousey :: April 27, 2015

Ronda Rousey poses during a photo shoot for SI in Los Angeles.

Ronda Rousey :: March 23, 2015

Ronda Rousey talks with reporters after meeting with New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and state leaders urging them to join the 49 other states in legalizing mixed martial arts.

Ronda Rousey :: April 4, 2015

Ronda Rousey attends an NHL game between the Los Angeles Kings and the Colorado Avalanche.

Ronda Rousey :: April 1, 2015

Rousey arrives at the 'Furious 7' Los Angeles Premiere at TCL Chinese Theatre IMAX in Hollywood.

Ronda Rousey and the Rock :: March 29, 2015

Ronda Rousey and the Rock at WrestleMania 31.

Ronda Rousey :: March 29, 2015

Ronda Rousey and Stephanie McMahon at WrestleMania 31 in Santa Clara

Ronda Rousey :: March 29, 2015

Ronda Rousey and Stephanie McMahon at WrestleMania 31 in Santa Clara.

Ronda Rousey :: March 26, 2015

Ronda Rousey and Robin Roberts on the "Good Morning America" set.

Ronda Rousey :: March 24, 2015

Theo Wargo/NBC/Getty Images for "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon"

Ronda Rousey during her visit to "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon" at Rockefeller Center in New York City.

Ronda Rousey :: March 24, 2015

Ronda Rousey shows Jimmy Fallon what an armbar is during her visit to the "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon."

Ronda Rousey :: March 20, 2015

Ronda Rousey and Bethe Correia of Brazil face off during the 189 World Media Tour Launch press conference in Rio de Janeiro.

Ronda Rousey and Bethe Correia:: March 20, 2015

Ronda Rousey and Bethe Correia of Brazil pose for the media during the 189 World Media Tour Launch press conference in Rio de Janeiro.

Ronda Rousey :: March 20, 2015

Alexandre Loureiro/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ronda Rousey with fans in Brazil during the the UFC 189 World Media Tour Launch press conference

Ronda Rousey :: March 20, 2015

Ronda Rousey poses for the media during the UFC 189 World Media Tour Launch press conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Ronda Rousey :: March 20, 2015

Ronda Rousey looks on during the UFC 189 World Media Tour Launch press conference in Rio de Janeiro.

Ronda Rousey :: March 14, 2015

Ronda Rousey speaks during a South by Southwest Sports panel at the Austin Convention Center in Texas.

Ronda Rousey :: March 10, 2015

Ronda Rousey is seen with Mario Lopez of Extra at Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles.

Ronda Rousey :: February 2015

Bret Hartman/For The Washington Post via Getty Images

Ronda Rousey speaks to members of the media at the Glendale Fighting Club ahead of her fight against Cat Zingano.

Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano :: February 2015

Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano face off during the UFC 184 Ultimate Media Day in Los Angeles.

Ronda Rousey :: February 2015

Mike Roach/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ronda Rousey warms up in the locker room before her bout against Cat Zingano in Los Angeles.

Ronda Rousey :: February 2015

Jeff Gross/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ronda Rousey prepares to enter the Octagon in her bantamweight championship bout against Cat Zingano in Los Angeles.

Ronda Rousey :: February 2015

Ronda Rousey gets ready to fight Cat Zingano at UFC 184.

Ronda Rousey :: February 2015

Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ronda Rousey enters the Octagon in her bantamweight championship bout against Cat Zingano in Los Angeles.

Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano :: February 2015

Ronda Rousey grapples with Cat Zingano during UFC 184. Rousey won after Zingano tapped out 14 seconds into the bout.

Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano :: February 2015

Ronda Rousey grapples with Cat Zingano during UFC 184. Rousey won after Zingano tapped out 14 seconds into the bout.

Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano :: February 2015

Ronda Rousey grapples with Cat Zingano during UFC 184. Rousey won after Zingano tapped out 14 seconds into the bout.

Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano :: February 2015

Ronda Rousey gets into position to put an armbar on Cat Zingano during UFC 184.

Ronda Rousey and Cat Zingano :: February 2015

Ronda Rousey puts the finishing touches on Cat Zingano to remain undefeated.

Ronda Rousey :: February 2015

Ronda Rousey celebrates her victory over Cat Zingano.

Ronda Rousey :: February 2015

Ronda Rousey consoles Cat Zingano after their bout.

Ronda Rousey :: December 2014

Ronda Rousey attends Reebok and UFC Long-Term Partnership Announcement at Industria Studios in New York City.

Ronda Rousey :: November 2014

Ronda Rousey is seen at 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' in Los Angeles.

Ronda Rousey :: November 2014

Ronda Rousey is seen at 'Jimmy Kimmel Live' in Los Angeles.

Ronda Rousey :: November 2014

Elliott Howard/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ronda Rousey arrives at the UFC Time Is Now press conference in Las Vegas.

Ronda Rousey :: October 2014

Ronda Rousey sighting in West Hollywood, Calif.

Ronda Rousey :: September 2014

Ronda Rousey attends FOX Sports 1's "The Ultimate Fighter" Season Premiere Party in Hollywood.

Ronda Rousey :: August 2014

Ronda Rousey arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of "The Expendables 3" in Hollywood.

Ronda Rousey :: July 2014

Ronda Rousey smiles at a weigh-in for the UFC 175 event at the Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas.

Ronda Rousey and Alexis Davis: July 2014

Ronda Rousey faces off with Alexis Davis during the UFC 175 weigh-in inside the Mandalay Bay Events Center in Las Vegas.

Ronda Rousey :: July 2014

Ronda Rousey takes down Alexis Davis during their women's mixed martial arts bantamweight title bout at UFC 175 in Las Vegas.

Ronda Rousey :: May 2014

Kelsey Grammer, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Ronda Rousey and Sylvester Stallone pose during a photocall for "The Expendables 3" at the 67th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France.

Ronda Rousey :: May 2014

Arnold Schwarzenegger kisses Ronda Rousey during a photocall for the film "The Expendables 3" at the 67th edition of the Cannes Film Festival.

Ronda Rousey :: May 2014

David M. Benett/Getty Images for Millennium Films

Ronda Rousey attends a photocall for "The Expendables 3" at the Carlton Hotel in Cannes, France.

Ronda Rousey and Kellan Lutz :: May 2014

Actor Kellan Lutz and Ronda Rousey arrive for the screening of The Homesman at the 67th international film festival.

Ronda Rousey :: May 2014

Ronda Rousey attends "The Homesman" Premiere at the 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival inFrance.

Ronda Rousey :: May 2014

Ronda Rousey hosts #TheLinkParty at the IceLink Boutique West Hollywood benefiting The Special Needs Network.

Ronda Rousey :: April 2014

Ronda Rousey is seen filming a scene for the "Entourage" movie in Beverly Hills in Los Angeles

Ronda Rousey :: February 2014

Ronda Rousey knees Sara McMann in their bantamweight championship bout during UFC 170 in Las Vegas.

Ronda Rousey :: February 2014

Ronda Rousey at an open training session for fans and media in Las Vegas.

Ronda Rousey and Jimmy Kimmel:: December 2013

Ronda Rousey made an appearance on "Jimmy Kimmel Live" in early December 2013.

Ronda Rousey :: December 2013

Ronda Rousey poses for a portrait during a UFC photo session in Las Vegas.

Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate :: December 2013

Donald Miralle/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ronda Rousey attempts to submit Miesha Tate in their UFC women's bantamweight championship bout during UFC 168 in Las Vegas.

Ronda Rousey and Josh Thomson :: July 2013

Al Powers/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Rousey and UFC lightweight Josh Thomson pose for a photo during the UFC Fan Party in Las Vegas.

Ronda Rousey :: July 2013

Clint Jenkins/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Ronda Rousey signs an autograph during the UFC Fan Expo Las Vegas 2013 at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center in Las Vegas,.

Ronda Rousey :: March 2013

Ronda Rousey attends the Fox Sports Media Group Upfront after party at Roseland Ballroom in New York City.

Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche :: February 2013

Ronda Rousey eventually got Liz Carmouche off her back and improved her record to 7-0 with the victory.

Ronda Rousey and Liz Carmouche :: February 2013

Ronda Rousey found herself in trouble early against Liz Carmouche, but withstood the challenge to win in the first round.

Ronda Rousey :: December 2012

Ronda Rousey shows off her UFC bantamweight championship belt during a news conference in Seattle, Wash. UFC president Dana White handed out the belt, saying the former Strikeforce title-holder will make her UFC debut on Feb. 23 against Liz Carmouche.

Ronda Rousey :: October 2012

Ronda Rousey during training session with coach Edmond Tarverdyan at Glendale Fighting Club.

Ronda Rousey and Dana White: September 2012

Rousey poses with Dana White at the Sons of Anarchy season 5 premiere screening in Los Angeles.

Ronda Rousey and Sarah Kaufman :: August 2012

Ronda Rousey secures an arm bar submission against Sarah Kaufman during their Strikeforce bout.

Ronda Rousey :: August 2012

Ronda Rousey reacts after defeating Sarah Kaufman by submission during the Strikeforce event in San Diego on Aug. 18.

Ronda Rousey :: July 2012

Ronda Rousey attends ESPN Magazine's 4th Annual Body Issue celebration at Belasco Theatre on July 10, 2012 in Los Angeles.

Ronda Rousey :: March 2012

:: David Dermer/Diamond Images/Getty Images

Ronda Rousey during the weigh-in for her bout against Meisha Tate.

Ronda Rousey :: March 2012

Ronda Rousey walks to the cage before her bantamweight bout against Tate in March. Rousey won via an armbar submission.

Ronda Rousey and Miesha Tate :: March 2012

Ronda Rousey reacts after submitting Meisha Tate during their bantamweight bout in Columbus, Ohio.

Ronda Rousey :: March 2012

Rousey takes questions from the media after her victory over Meisha Tate.

Ronda Rousey :: October 2012

Ronda Rousey during a photo shoot for SI at the Glendale Fighting Club in California.

Ronda Rousey :: October 2012

Ronda Rousey during a photo shoot for SI at the Glendale Fighting Club in California.

Ronda Rousey :: October 2012

Ronda Rousey during a photo shoot for SI at the Glendale Fighting Club in California.

Ronda Rousey :: October 2012

Ronda Rousey during a photo shoot for SI at the Glendale Fighting Club in California.

Ronda Rousey :: October 2012

Ronda Rousey catches her breath after a workout.

Ronda Rousey :: October 2012

Ronda Rousey during a photo shoot for SI at the Glendale Fighting Club in California.

Ronda Rousey :: November 2011

Ronda Rousey attends the UFC On FOX: Live Heavyweight Championship in Anaheim, Calif.

Ronda Rousey and Sarah D'Alelio :: August 2011

Kari Hubert/Forza LLC/Forza LLC via Getty Images

Rousey and Sarah D'Alelio pose at the weigh-in before their Strikeforce match in Las Vegas.

Ronda Rousey :: August 2011

Ronda Rousey during the Strikeforce Challengers 4 at The Pearl at The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas.

Ronda Rousey and Sarah D'Alelio :: August 2011

Sarah D'Alelio and Ronda Rousey during the Strikeforce Challengers 4 at The Pearl at The Palms Casino Resort in Las Vegas. Rousey would win the bout via tapout in the first round.

Ronda Rousey :: April 2008

Michael O'Neill/Sports Illustrated/Contour by Getty Images

Ronda Rousey (far left) in a Summer Olympics preview portrait with Rau'shee Warren (boxing), Demetrius Andrade (boxing), Marci Van Dusen (freestyle wrestling), and Sarah Hammer (cycling).

Ronda Rousey and Valerie Gotay: April 2008

Ronda Rousey throws Valerie Gotay over her shoulder as she poses for a portrait during the 2008 U.S. Olympic Team Media Summitt in Chicago.

Ronda Rousey and Annett Boehm: August 2008

Rousey and Germany's Annett Boehm compete in the 70 kg judo bronze-medal match at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games. Rousey would win the match and the bronze.

Ronda Rousey :: August 2008

Rousey stands on the podium after winning bronze at the 2008 Olympics.

Ronda Rousey: 2007

A happy Ronda Rousey after she won the 70Kg Judo final in the 2007 XV Pan American Games in Rio de Janeiro.

Ronda Rousey :: April 2006

Ronda Rousey with her gold medal at the Fighting Films Birmingham Women's World Cup at the National Indoor Arena, Birmingham, England.

Ronda Rousey :: August 2004

Claudia Heill from Austria fights Ronda Rousey during the Judo half-middle weight (-63kg) event at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens.

Ronda Rousey :: June 2004

Ronda Rousey and Anastasia Krivosta compete in their 63 kg. match during the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in Judo at the San Jose State University Event Center in California. Rousey won the match to move on in the competition.