Ronda Rousey graces Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue cover

MANILA, Philippines – Ronda Rousey remains a media darling despite losing the UFC women’s bantamweight championship 3 months ago.

The 29-year-old native of Santa Monica, California is one of 3 models on separate covers of the yearly Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, joining Ashley Graham and Hailey Clauson.

Say hello to 2016 #SISwim cover model @rondarousey! The best part, she’s one of three.

A photo posted by Sports Illustrated Swimsuit (@si_swimsuit) on Feb 13, 2016 at 9:41pm PST

Rousey, who also graced the pages of last year’s annual swimsuit edition, is pictured wearing nothing but body paint.

The sports magazine announced the covers on Sunday, February 14 (PH Time) during the “Sports Illustrated Swimsuit 2016 Revealed” special on the TNT cable television network that was hosted by Rebecca Romjin and Nick Cannon.

Since yielding to Holly Holm via second-round knockout this past November, Rousey has returned to training and has been seen throwing punches with head trainer Edmond Tarverdyan at the Glendale Fighting Club,

According to UFC president Dana White, Rousey is expected to return inside the Octagon in November of this year as she is now preoccupied with her acting career.

Rousey landed a role in the “Road House” remake as well as “Mile 22” alongside veteran actor Mark Wahlberg.

White revealed that the former bantamweight queen will likely face the winner of the championship clash between Holm and Miesha Tate on March 6 (March 5 in US). – Rappler.com