After winning his first match in the UFC, in Moscow in early November, Pannie Kianzad chose to challenge Brazilian Bethe Correia.

"I would like to meet her and welcome her to Europe," Kianzad told SVT Sport.

Now it is clear that Kianzad gets his will through.

Meet in Brazil

On May 9, she will face Correia in his native Brazil at the Grand UFC 250 in São Paulo.

- You never know how long you are being missed so why not ask for the matches you really want, says the 28-year-old Skåne to SVT Sport.

- I felt that a match between us makes sense. She is a veteran of the UFC, but I am also a veteran with 17 professional matches in my luggage and I have met good resistance.

Correia was at the top of her career in 2015 when she undefeatedly challenged big star Ronda Rousey about the UFC belt in bantamweight (61.2 kilos).

Knocked in the title match

The Brazilian was knocked out after only 34 seconds in that match but has faced top resistance ever since, albeit with mixed results.

- I still think Bethe has some good matches left and she fights dangerously but interestingly. Such a match suits me well and a win over her gets me into the top 15 in the world ranking, which is one of my goals this year, says Kianzad.

Correia is currently ranked 13th in the world among the champions of the champion belt. Kianzad is not currently included in the UFC rankings which contain the top 15 names. Another Malmö-based fighter, Lina Länsberg, is ranked eleven.

Pannie Kianzad has a match record as MMA pros on twelve wins and five losses.

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Former champion Conor McGregor knocked Donald Cerrone just 40 seconds into tonight's big UFC match in Las Vegas. Photo: TT

ARCHIVE: McGregor comforted opponent's 82-year-old grandmother (January 19, 2020)

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Conor McGregor comforted the opponent's grandmother, 82-year-old Jerry Cerrone. Photo: TT