Champions rarely escape the limits of the sport they dominate.
In mixed martial arts, a growing international entity, it is even harder.
But through sheer natural skill, mental fortitude and an unbelievable knack for finishing fights in dramatic fashion, UFC women's bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey has ascended beyond her UFC boundaries.
Coming into her showdown with Bethe Correia at UFC 190 as an undefeated champion in search of her sixth straight title defense, Rousey needed her best Octagon assets to defeat a Brazilian with vicious punching power and boiled blood.
Ronda Rousey said after her 1st round knockout victory over Bethe Correia, "I hope no one brings up my family again." pic.twitter.com/FJk2FgBNYL
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) August 2, 2015
When it was all over, Correia's home-field advantage and tenacity leading up to this fight were not enough to ward off Rousey's quick striking and blistering power, evident by the champ's first-round knockout.
Here is what we learned from Saturday's title tilt as Rousey continues to reign atop the MMA world.
What We'll Remember About This Fight
While Correia didn't charge Rousey like many former title threats, she was unable to get into any sort of groove before the champion rushed in herself and forced her to exchange.
The pace and in-close striking were supposed to favor the Brazilian bruiser, but Rousey's elevated combinations and punching speed were simply too much.
It was arguably the most memorable finish in women's MMA history, as the best female fighter ever added to an already padded resume.
The finish was not only scary due to the fact that we rarely see a knockout like that within the division, but also because Rousey beat Correia at her own bread and butter.
What We Learned About Rousey
There's little room for improvement when it comes to Rousey's grappling and clinch game. It's unequivocally effective.
But if there was a facet of her game that required the evolution to cement her as a near-perfect Octagon entity, it would be her striking.
Saturday night, against one of the division's most potent strikers, Rousey rose to the occasion by securing one of the best knockout finishes in UFC history on the heels of penetrating punches and polished fluidity.
It's quite remarkable considering Rousey is getting better every time she steps into the Octagon.
Not to mention she showcased one heck of a chin in the process.
What We Learned About Correia
There isn't much to take away from Pitbull's performance Saturday night except maybe the fact that she lasted 20 more seconds inside of the cage than Cat Zingano did at UFC 184.
The Brazilian certainly had the support of her hometown, which wasn't the case at Friday's weigh-ins, but her inability to withstand Rousey's punishment was her ultimate demise.
Correia's initial patience and willingness to feel the champ out certainly seemed like a logical approach, but ultimately, the challenger got schooled at her own game.
Understanding where she went wrong in this loss will help round out her skill set as she looks to avoid a similar fate in her next bout.
What's Next for Rousey
Miesha Tate, come on down.
While many people around the sport, writers and forgiving fans included, may scoff at the idea of Tate getting a third shot to defeat Rousey, Cupcake has earned the right.
She has essentially improved her athletic capabilities inside the cage and showcased a tougher presence on the feet.
Rousey would obviously be the odds-on favorite as she aims to close this chapter forever.
What's Next for Correia
Just like former undefeated top contenders like Sara McMann and Zingano, Correia will now be pushed back down the 135-pound ladder.
Her performance was too short to suggest she'll never regain No. 1 contender status in the future, but it's telling that she was unable to handle the inside punching power of a fighter known for her grappling.
An upcoming bout with Jessica Eye or the loser of McMann vs. Amanda Nunes at UFC Fight Night 73 next week makes the most sense.
She's at least four victories away from fighting for Rousey's illustrious title again.
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