Strikeforce Champ Ronda Rousey Graces Cover Of ESPN The Magazine 'Body Issue' 2012

Strikeforce women's bantamweight champ Ronda Rousey is one of six professional athletes who will appear on the cover of this year's ESPN The Magazine "Body Issue", which hits news stands on July 13.


The issue marks the fourth annual installment of the popular series, which has featured nude photos of MMA stars Jon Jones and Gina Carrano in the past. This year's issue will feature 27 professional athletes, including Carlos Bocanegra, Abby Wambach, Maurice Jones-Drew, Brad Richards, Maya Gabiera, Mike Smith, Tim Morehouse, Walter Dix, Danell Leyva, Suzann Pettersen, Ashton Eaton, Carmelita Jeter, Anna Tunnicliffe, Oksana Masters, Destinee Hooker, Stacy Sykora, Alisha Glass, Cynthia Barboza, Megan Hodge, Nellie Spicer and Heather Brown.


A Judo bronze-medalist in the 2008 Olympic Games, Rousey remains unbeaten as a professional mixed martial artist in five straight fights. In stunning fashion, Rousey has submitted all five of her opponents by armbar in the first round, including a recent stoppage of Miesha Tate in which she captured the Strikeforce women's bantamweight championship. 


Rousey's first title defense is scheduled for August 18 in San Diego, where she'll look to defend her crown against ex-titleholder Sarah Kaufman in the main event of "Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman". 


More info on ESPN The Magazine "Body Issue" 2012 can be found here.