Ronda Rousey defends title with 34-second KO

The UFC bantamweight champion defended her title for the sixth time with a devastating knockout of Bethe Correia in the opening round of their main event fight in Rio de Janeiro.

Even though she was greeted with cheers during the week, when the time came for Rousey to step into the Octagon, the Brazilian fans stood their ground and loudly booed her, even chanting the world-famous 'Uh, Vai Morrer' ('Uh, you're going to die!').

But nothing could faze the champion, who made the most of her boxing training with renowned trainer Edmond Tarverdryan and knocked Correia out with a straight right hand after a few seconds of exchanging blows.

Correia went down face-first into the mat and, after only 34 seconds, the fight was over.

After it was all said and done, the Brazilian crowd came back to Rousey's side, chanting her name and even taunting the defeated Correia.

Rousey said: 'Thank you very much, Brazil! For everything! For those who booed me, I love you. For those who cheered me, I love you even more.

'I'm really happy with my performance. It wasn't perfect, but I wouldn't have it any other way. I think I proved a lot to myself and everybody else about the diversity of my style and what I can do in there. I don't mind that everything ends quickly.

'It was kind of how I expected it. I planned to instead of trying to force a clinch, overwhelm her (by) striking first so that she would want to clinch first, and that's exactly what happened.

'Every fight is a challenge. This was a challenge in it's own way. The next challenge will be the biggest. And it goes on, but I'm closer and closer to achieving my goal of retiring undefeated.'

The 34 seconds in the Octagon is the most time she spent fighting for her last three encounters. 

The total time of her past four fights is 130 seconds, a feat no other champion has been able to accomplish.

Next for Rousey is probably a third encounter with long-time rival Miesha Tate, who beat Jessica Eye in the co-main event of last week's UFC Chicago. 

Tate has been the only fighter to take the champion into deep waters, enduring two full rounds before succumbing to her signature armbar in the third round of their second fight. 

'She's the biggest challenge I have. These chicks don't know what is like to be in there with me. But Miesha knows, so I don't have the element of surprise. That makes her more dangerous, but I can deal with that.'

(dailymail.co.uk)