Trainer: Bethe Correia Enjoyed ‘Amazing Three-Month Camp’ at American Kickboxing Academy

Bethe Correia will return to Ultimate Fighting Championship competition for the first time since losing to Ronda Rousey in August when she faces Raquel Pennington at UFC on Fox 19 this Saturday in Tampa, Florida. There, she will represent the American Kickboxing Academy in a bout that carries substantial importance for both women.

“We did an amazing three-month camp here,” said Edelson Silva, Correia’s head coach and fiancé. “They gave us a nice reception and we’ll return for future fights for sure. AKA is such a strong team in jiu-jitsu, wrestling and overall MMA. Bethe learned a lot and improved her game so much.”

Silva promised Correia would show the same aggressiveness in the standup for which she has become known.

“Bethe is the same aggressive fighter as always,” he said. “Raquel is also a very aggressive striker, so we’re anticipating an intense fight. Fans will see an improved Bethe.”

Since she debuted in the UFC in 2013, Correia has gone 4-1, with her lone setback resulting in a 34-second knockout against then-women’s bantamweight champion Rousey. Since their fight, the 135-pound title has changed hands twice, first from Rousey to Holly Holm and then from Holm to Meisha Tate. Silva sees it as a positive development for Correia.

“If she gets an impressive win over Pennington, everything will be in the UFC’s hands,” he said. “That’s a decision for [UFC President] Dana White. In my opinion, I don’t see Bethe as inferior to any of the top contenders today, not even to Miesha. If she gets an impressive win and the UFC wants her to fight for the belt, she’ll be ready. If they think she needs more fights, she’ll be ready anyway.”