Fox Sports reports that Ronda Rousey will be a part of Sports Illustrated’s annual swimsuit issue. The issue comes out next week, less than two weeks before headlining UFC 184 in Los Angeles.
Rousey has posted several photos on Instagram account which previews her photos that may be in the issue. It should be of no surprise that the annual swimsuit issue nears the top of the best-selling issues of the year for Sports Illustrated.
As many recall, Rousey was featured in the ESPN Body Issue in 2012.
Payout Perspective:
The Rousey brand continues to expand as the swimsuit issue will have many people who do not know her flipping through the pages. Will it mean that more people will buy UFC 184? Not necessarily, but it couldn’t hurt that the issue is coming out right before the PPV.
There is a certain allure towards the type of athlete that Rhonda represents. Diaz and Chael come to mind when I think of her approach to the media. Although Rousey is not as terse with her words. The UFC are doing the right things trying to build a star with Rousey.
Let’s hope she continues to win, which shouldn’t be a problem with the shallow division that she is dealing with. Reminds me somewhat of the early years of the UFC when fighters like Tito were considered the top of the game, only to find out that a good wrestler or striker exposed his shortfalls. Rousey will be exposed at some point, but she needs to fight a good wrestler or striker. Even a good jiu-jitsu practitioner could give her problems on the ground.