Is Ronda Rousey posing naked for Sports Illustrated’s Swimsuit Issue? – Daily Mail

Ronda Rousey dazzled in a selection of black swimsuits for the 2015 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue, and it looks as if the UFC star is set for an encore this year.

The 28-year-old Californian was shot on Captiva Island by famous photographer Walter Iooss Jr for the magazine in 2015, and impressed with her modelling skills.

And on Tuesday Rousey’s derriere appeared to be the subject of an Instagram post courtesy of SI Swimsuit editor MJ Day, sending the internet into an excitable frenzy at the prospect of her posing once again.

Cheeky clue: Sports Illustrated Swimsuit editor MJ Day posted this image of one of the 2016 issue’s stars onto his Instagram account. The model in the image bears the same unique wrist tattoos as Ronda Rousey

Evidence: In April 2013 the UFC fighter revealed her new Kodokan flower Judo emblem, and UFC Octagon inkings, the same as those seen on the person featured in MJ Day’s image

Second time’s the charm! Rousey, who is pictured showing off one of the tattoos at a press conference before her UFC loss to Holly Holm in November, also starred in a shoot for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit last year

Taken during the publication’s current exotic shoot, Day uploaded a behind-the-scenes photograph of a woman’s posterior in a grey and black patterned swimsuit body paint design, alongside the caption: ‘#instabooty if #2016 keeps going like this then I’m going to be one happy happy girl! #bootypaint #siswimsuit.’

And due to the impressive back and leg muscles on display, alongside two giveaway wrist tattoos, Rousey’s identity as the model on show was ostensibly revealed.  

In April 2013 the mixed martial artist showed off her new Kodokan flower Judo emblem inking on her right wrist, and UFC Octagon on her left, courtesy of tattoo artist, Hilmar Ramos.

Sports Illistrated are neither confirming nor denying the Rousey rumours, but in an article on their official website wrote: ‘Isn’t the idea of Ronda donning nothing but paint enough to tie you over until the issue comes out in February? 

‘A body-painted spread in SI Swimsuit would truly be a comeback for the ages!’

Following six consecutive title defences, Rousey was stunned by Holm in the second round of the bout

Rousey (left) was knocked out by a head kick and has revealed she is still ‘really f****** sad’ about it

Rousey goes into the supposed shoot off the back of a shock loss to fellow American Holly Holm in the UFC women’s bantamweight title fight and has largely remained out of the public eye since.

That is in spite of her December appearance at the Marine Corps Ball after being asked out by Lance Corporal Jarrod Haschert.

And Rousey’s star shows no sign of fading, despite suffering her first defeat in the UFC, after it was announced she will host Saturday Night Live later this month.

Rousey, who was knocked out by Holm last November, will appear alongside musical guest Selena Gomez on January 23.

She was the first female fighter signed by the UFC and is seen as a pioneer in mixed martial arts by her fellow competitors.

Although she has remained largely out of the public eye since her defeat, Rousey attended the Marine Corps Ball in December after being asked out by Lance Corporal Jarrod Haschert (pictured)

Rousey is clearly eager to put her devastating loss behind her; she will host Saturday Night Live this month

Last year, Derek Jeter’s fiancee Hannah Davis was given the honor of appearing on the issue’s cover