SI Swimsuit preview
 

Don't be surprised if Ronda Rousey turns up in the upcoming Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. The magazine's editor posted an Instagram picture that may have given away the identity of a would-be secret model, and it looks like the famous UFC fighter herself.

At first glance, the picture seems both innocuous and anonymous: It's the backside of a model who has been "outfitted" in body paint.

A close look reveals some telling details, though.


First off, it's likely that this is the body of an athlete. It's a much more muscular, fit build than what you typically see from models. At the top of the photo, you can also see hair that looks both the color and length of Rousey's.

But that evidence looks like child's play compared to this iron-clad identifier. An Uproxx editor matched the model's tattoo wrist to an identical one on Rousey:


Seems like an open-and-shut case. Sports Illustrated hasn't confirmed it, though: Despite overwhelming evidence, they've chosen to play it coy:

"Thanks to a few inconspicuous tattoos, it looks like our next body-painted beauty may be the one and only Ronda Rousey," said the magazine in a short post. "We can neither confirm nor deny these rumors, but isn't the idea of Ronda donning nothing but paint enough to tie you over until the issue comes out in February?"

We guess that's the sort of cutesy non-denial you'd expect from a swimsuit magazine.

Rousey appeared in last year's issue, and SI capitalized on her popularity by releasing a video of the outtakes:

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey steals the spotlight when she puts the clamps on Stephanie McMahon at WrestleMania 31.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey connects with fans in Brazil.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey speaks on a sports panel at SXSW in Austin.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Mario Lopez welcomes Rousey to the set of 'Extra' at Universal Studios

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey waves to fans at Univesal CityWalk.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey appears at a promotional event with Reebok and UFC.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Hip hop artist Swizz Beatz poses with Rousey.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey draws a crowd in Hollywood.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey attends a special screening of "The Expendables 3" in Macao.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Sylvester Stallone and Arnold Schwarzenegger flank Rousey at The Venetian Macao.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey attends the Los Angeles premiere of "The Expendables 3" at the TCL Chinese Theatre.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

"The Expendables 3" is Rousey's first acting credit.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey shares a laugh with Joe Rogan after weighing in before UFC 175.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey joins the cast of "The Expendables 3" at the Cannes Film Festival.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey attends the Cannes premiere of "The Expendables 3" with Antonio Banderas, Sylvester Stallone, Mel Gibson and Wesley Snipes.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey works a scene on location in Beverly Hills with Jerry Ferrara for the "Entoutage" movie.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey takes time to pose with a fan at LAX airport.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey poses during a UFC portrait session in December 2013.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey has an exchange with Jimmy Kimmel.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey is featured in the 2012 edition of ESPN The Magazine's annual body issue.

 

Ronda Rousey: Outside The Octagon

Rousey wins a bronze medal in judo at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. She is the first American woman to earn an Olympic medal in judo.

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