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The rumors were true — for the second year in a row, MMA fighter and former UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey will be in this year's Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue. While it's unclear whether she'll make the cover, SI disclosed that she'll be covered only in body paint for certain photos.
SI confirmed the news yesterday, releasing a short behind-the-scenes video in which Rousey says, "I really believe that there shouldn't be just one cookie-cutter body type that everyone aspires to be."
"I'm not the best model in the world, but I try my best," she said, adding, "Everyone's making me feel like I'm doing a good job, so either they're actually being honest or they're great liars trying to keep me confident for the day!"
Rousey also shared her excitement on Instagram, writing:
"Secret's out — so here's a free preview of this year's 2016 SI Swimsuit issue. I was one of the lucky few chosen to be a canvas for a hand-painted masterpiece by @joannegair that took 14 hours to put on and photographed by the brilliant @fredericpinet — these are just behind-the-scenes shots taken with a phone's camera, can't wait to show you guys the final pics the when the issue hits stands!
SI editor M.J. Day offered a sneak peak at what the body paint looks like earlier this week, though we'll have to wait until the issue hits stands next month to see what it'll look like with a non-phone camera.