First Look: Ronda Rousey’s Tush Gets Painted for ‘Sports Illustrated’

An outtake of Rousey’s SI shoot. Photo: @mj_day/Instagram

Ronda Rousey may be a pro at mixed martial arts, but for this year’s upcoming Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, she’s dipping her toe into another kind of artistry: Body art.

Each year since 1999, the mag has hired artists (led by New Zealander Joanne Gair) to paint extremely detailed, trompe l'oeil “swimsuits” onto models’ naked bodies—transforming them into living, breathing works of art. And this year, Rousey’s sculpted physique is one of the canvases.

Nice bum, where ya from? Photo: @mj_day/Instagram

The Olympic medalist, who also appeared in the 2015 issue—albeit, partially clothed—was painted into a “swimsuit” inspired by We Are Handsome’s appropriately dubbed “The Fighter” one-piece. Behind-the-scenes photos show her lounging on the beach in Grenada, and leaning precariously against a dead tree.

According to Gair, the typical Sports Illustrated paint job takes around 12 hours to complete. Hopefully Rousey is a good at sitting still as she is competing in the ring.

The We Are Handsome suit that inspired Rousey’s body paint.

The 2016 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue hits newsstands in February.

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