Unfortunately for Correia, there was no feeling out process during the fight. Immediately after the first round opened, Rousey took to the center of the octagon and began landing an onslaught of uppercuts and knees. After a brief clinch, Correia fell backwards up against the cage and was met with a 1 -2 combo, followed by a pair of left hooks, a knee, and a straight right that sent her crumbling to the mat face first.
At this point, I think it’s safe to say that Ronda Rousey has no equal. Eleven of her 12 wins have come in the first round and all 12 of those wins are finishes. If the woman standing across the cage from Rousey in her next fight isn’t Cris Cyborg, they’re nothing more than food for the lioness Ronda Rousey.
Below are the full results from the rest of the card with some of my post-fight thoughts.
Main Card
Mauricio Rua defeats Antonio Rogerio Nogueria via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28): Slow start by Rua to begin the fight, but he came back in the second and third rounds battering Nogueria with kicks to the legs and body. Nogueria had relatively no answer to Rua’s offensive attack. His usual effective boxing was basically ineffective during the entire fight.
Fernando Bruno defeats Glaico Franca via submission (rear-naked choke) at 4:46 of round 3: This was one of two TUF Brazil 4 finale fights on the card and it pretty much played out like anyone would expect between two debuting UFC fighters with minimal experience. Let’s just say it wasn’t one of the best fights on the card. But congrats to Bruno on becoming the TUF Brazil 4 winner!
Reginaldo Vieira defeats Dileno Lopes via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27): Both fighters engaged early and often during this fight. It wasn’t a technical masterpiece by any means, but it was entertaining. The sequence of guillotine submission attempts in the first round by both men was something to see. In the end Vieira outworked his opponent in the third, landing massive hammer fists from the top position to seal the victory.
Stefan Struve defeats Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27): Struve used his massive reach advantage throughout the fight, snapping the head of Nogueira back with every jab he landed. Midway through the second, Struve began utilizing a front kick to the body of Nogueira that began taking its toll on the veteran. Nogueira tried to make a fight of it, but he wasn’t able to get inside to use his dirty boxing we’ve been accustomed to seeing over the past years. It wasn’t a blow out, but Struve did what had to do in order to get the win. And for what it’s worth, Nogueira, being the gritty veteran fighter that he is, deserves credit for being a game opponent. But it’s clear at 39 and with all of the wars he’s had in Pride, he should really consider hanging up the gloves.
Antonio Silva defeats Soa Palelei via TKO (punches) at 0:41 of round 2: When this fight was announced, I knew there was no way it was going three rounds. It almost ended in the first after Palelei got a takedown and started hulk smashing Silva before time expired in the first round. Silva looked done. But he came back with a vengeance in the second trapping Palelei against the cage while landing a flurry of uppercuts that sent his opponent crashing to the mat. For some reason, Silva always does well in Brazil. It’ll be interesting to see who the UFC matches him up with next.
Claudia Gadelha defeats Jessica Aguilar (30-27, 30-27, 30-27): Gadelha dominated Aguilar. She won in every facet of the fight with crisp striking, solid wrestling, and takedown defense. I’m looking forward to her rematch with Joanna Jedrzejczyk. As for Aguilar, she’s a solid fighter, having garnered respect from media and fans as one of the best women strawweight fighters outside of the UFC for much of her career. But now she knows there’s a different level of competition in the world’s top MMA promotion.
Prelims
Demian Maia defeats Neil Magny via submission (rear-naked choke) at 2:52 of round 2.
Patrick Cummins defeats Rafael Cavalcante via TKO (elbows) at 0:45 of round 3.
Warlley Alves defeats Nordine Taleb via submission (guillotine choke) at 4:11 of round 2.
Iuri Alcantara defeats Leandro Issa via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-27).
Vitor Miranda defeats Clint Hester via TKO (strikes) at 2:38 of round 2.
Guido Cannetti defeats Hugo Viana via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28).
Bonus Awards
Fight of the Night: Maurício Rua vs. Antonio Rogerio Nogueria
Performance of the Night: Ronda Rousey and Demian Maia