UFC 172's Bethe Correia convinced Jessamyn Duke's height won't be an issue

It’s one of the most evenly matched fights, but it also has the biggest height and reach differentials on tonight’s UFC 172 lineup.

But Bethe Correia (7-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), who gives up a half-foot in each category to fellow bantamweight Jessamyn Duke (3-0 MMA, 1-0 UFC), said she’s not concerned.

“I am confident it will be a very active fight,” the undefeated 30-year-old told MMAjunkie. “As far as her being tall, I’m ready for that. My camp put focus on that, so I’m not unprepared.

“Besides, not only do I train with taller people, I’ve already faced two girls just as tall as Jessamyn. Training is about adapting, and I’ll well-adapted.”

Correia and Duke fight on tonight’s FOX Sports 1-preliminary card at Maryland’s Baltimore Arena. It’s one of the more intriguing prelims before the event shifts to pay-per-view for the main card.

Essentially a pick-’em fight according to oddsmakers and the betting public, Correia believes her experience more than makes up for the physical disadvantages she’ll experience against Duke, who entered the UFC after her stint on “The Ultimate Fighter 18? this past year.

Correia has logged more time as a pro, registering 20 rounds to Duke’s eight. And though Duke’s experience on “TUF 18? probably helped with the dreaded octagon jitters, Correia is just as comfortable in the UFC following her promotional-debut win over 29-fight veteran Julie Kedzie in December.

“I was very anxious,” Correia said of the bout, which she won via split decision. “The UFC is overwhelming, and to start off against an opponent with such a level of experience, it was a great challenge. But we did a great job preparing for that fight, so I wasn’t intimidated by this new situation. Gladly, I was able to fight my fight and get the win.”

To prepare for Duke, the former accountant has been working with her usual stable of training partners in Brazil. She’s modeled her aggression and willingness to engage after those fighters.

“First, I’m very thankful to Mario Novaes at Pitbull Brothers MMA, who’s widely recognized as one of the top conditioning coaches in Brazil,” she said. “The person who guides me in every facet of training is Patricio Freire, who is a great strategist as well as a great fighter. There’s also Patricky, his brother, who moved back to be with us in Natal. Natal is where we gain confidence and boost our warrior spirit. Everyone is our team is truly helpful, like (Anistavio) ‘Gasparzinho’ Medeiros and Rony Jason.

“If there are any difficulties in training, they always take the time to guide me with great advice. We also have a nutritionist. We have everything we need in Natal.”

Correia also wants to continue a theme the camp has experienced in recent months. Earlier this year, her teammate (and “brother,” she said) Guilherme “Kioto” Rodrigues was murdered. The Jungle Fight veteran had been a committed teammate for a decade before his untimely and violent death.

Correia said their gym initially felt “empty,” but soon, she and other teammates rallied and acknowledged the best way to honor their friend was in the cage.

“Guilherme’s death had the side effect of uniting us even more,” she said. “It strengthened us as a team. We’re helping each other even more. We all have a winning outlook now.

“Patricky is going through the Bellator lightweight tournament, and each victory is better than the last. Patricio is also on a winning streak. Jason and (Fabio) Maldonado also had great wins. Our team unity and outlook is very positive now. We all step into the cage with great confidence.”

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