Bethe Correia thinks she has the game plan to dethrone UFC champ Ronda Rousey

(This story appears in Thursday’s edition of USA TODAY.)

RIO DE JANEIRO – Despite her position as one of the largest underdogs in UFC history, Bethe Correia has an unshakeable belief she’ll defeat dominant champion Ronda Rousey at UFC 190.

Correia (9-0 MMA, 3-0 UFC) has little support going into her main event matchup with Rousey (11-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) on Saturday (pay-per-view, 10 p.m. ET) in Rio de Janeiro. That matters not, Correia says, because she’s determined to reveal a chink in the seemingly impenetrable armor of the UFC women’s bantamweight champion.

“They’ve built her up to be this invincible fighter from the United States that no one is going to be able to beat,” Correia, the 32-year-old Brazilian challenger, tells USA TODAY Sports and MMAjunkie through an interpreter. “I’m going to show that’s a farce, and I’m going to beat her.”

Rousey, who won a bronze medal in judo at the 2008 Summer Olympics, has torn through her 11 previous opponents in an average time of just two minutes and 16 seconds per fight. She’s shown next to no vulnerabilities in that time, but Correia says she’ll be the first to expose Rousey’s flaws.

“I believe in myself,” Correia says. “I’m going to go in there and beat her. I think I can overcome all her strong points. Her weaknesses? I’m not even worried about that. I know what I need to do in there. She doesn’t trade punches. In 11 fights, she’s never really shown her boxing, so I’m going to go in there and box with her.”

The odds rest heavily in Rousey’s favor. She’s up to an 18-1 favorite at some sports books. However, ¬Correia’s fellow Brazilian and current UFC heavyweight champion, Fabricio Werdum, is living proof that anything can happen in MMA.

In 2010, Werdum was pitted against famed Russian fighter Fedor Emelianenko at an event for the now-defunct Strikeforce organization. Emelianenko carried a 28-fight undefeated streak into the contest, and Werdum was expected to be another addition to the all-time great’s win column.

What happened in the fight, though, shocked everyone but Werdum. He forced Emelianenko to tap via submission in just 69 seconds in what many still consider one of the most shocking upsets in MMA history.

Werdum’s self-belief was a major contributor in his victory, he says. If Correia approaches her fight with Rousey the same way, he believes victory is attainable.

“Rousey is the favorite, and everyone knows her as the best in the world, but Correia can win,” Werdum says. “It’s about confidence. The confidence is very important. If you believe in yourself, there is always the chance to win.”

Correia doesn’t lack confidence. She speaks highly of herself and talks down the champion. That attitude has sparked a personal war of words. So incensed was the champ that “Rowdy” says she intends to drag out the fight so she can deliver a beating of unmatched severity.

Correia says she welcomes that attempt.

“She knows she’s not going to be able to finish me, so that’s what she’s saying,” Correia says. “That’s her justifiable way of saying she’s not going to be able to finish me early. She knows she’s not going to be able to finish me, so I’ll finish her.”

Rousey, though, has reason to be confident. She’s easily defeated strikers, jiu-jitsu black belts and an Olympic medalist during her tenure as UFC champion. Correia, who shines in no one particular area, doesn’t possess any of those same credentials. However, she insists she’ll provide the world with a stunning revelation at UFC 190.

“I was born to do this,” Correia says. “I’ve had to challenge the whole world to be an MMA fighter, and I got to this point. I have a mission, and I know exactly what I need to do.”

For the latest on UFC 190, check out the UFC Rumors section of the site.