ESPN The Magazine will publish their fourth annual BODY ISSUE and we’re stoked that women’s mixed martial arts (MMA) will be represented by Ronda Rousey. It’s cool to see this come to fruition as our resident man on the hardbody scene, Isaac Hinds asked Ronda earlier this year if she would pose for the issue. She was a little taken back by the question of posing nude but said, “it would have to be tactful.” She went on to say if it was done by a reputable photographer and done in a classy way, then she’d be on board. Well, it sounds like things worked out as Ronda will be one of 27 athletes baring all of the issue that hits stands on July 13th.
Ronda has been taking the MMA world by storm and showcased a dominant performance in Columbus, Ohio earlier this year. Many felt (not us) Ronda was all talk but she quickly shut those critics up when she nearly snapped Miesha Tate’s arm in two and remained undefeated in her MMA career. She will defend her Strikeforce Bantamweight title against Sarah Kaufman on August 18, 2012.
Earlier today, Ronda wrote shared the ESPN Magazine news via twitter, “Hey so …. Espn body issue….. If anyone wants to see me “artistically nude” I suggest you grab a copy when it’s revealed on July 13th.”
Props to ESPN for selecting Ronda as the sole MMA representative (men and women). Congrats Ronda! We’re stoked to see your continued success in and out of the cage.
All 27 athletes posed nude for the issue’s signature Bodies We Want photo portfolio. The full lineup includes:
• Carlos Bocanegra (soccer)
• Daniela Hantuchova (WTA)
• Rob Gronkowskii (NFL)
• Abby Wambach (soccer)
• Tyson Chandler (NBA)
• Candace Parker (WNBA)
• Maurice Jones-Drew (NFL)
• Jose Bautista (MLB)
• Brad Richards (NHL)
• Maya Gabiera (surfing)
• Ronda Rousey (MMA)
• Mike Smith (jockey)
• Tim Morehouse (fencing)
• Walter Dix (track)
• Danell Leyva (gymnastics)
• Suzann Pettersen (LPGA)
• Ashton Eaton (decathlon)
• Carmelita Jeter (track)
• Anna Tunnicliffe (sailing)
• Oksana Masters (paralympic rowing)USA Volleyball Team:
• Destinee Hooker
• Stacy Sykora
• Alisha Glass
• Cynthia Barboza
• Megan Hodge
• Nellie Spicer
• Heather Bown
Follow The Mag on Twitter (@ESPNmag) and like them on Facebook. See more of Ronda on her Facebook Page, twitter and on the Team Gaspari Nutiriton page.
Lead photos via Gaspari Team Page.
