A lot of fans are anticipating the 2015 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue, which features several of the sexiest top models, athletes and celebrities from around the world. Particularly, Ronda Rousey of the UFC and tennis star Caroline Wozniacki will also be appearing in their bathing suits.
Bleacher Report wrote that USA Today's For The Win announced that the bantamweight female champ will appear in the SI Swimsuit issue. A photo of her was shown lying on her side and beaming at the camera while wearing a black bathing suit. Caroline Wozniacki announced her appearance on Twitter saying, "Excited to be included in the 2015." In the photo, she was seen wearing a white netted bikini.
Sherdog reported that the UFC women's champion is the first female mixed martial artist to appear in the pages of the SI Swimsuit Issue. Both Rousey and Wozniacki will be seen in a spread shot with Capita Island in Florida in the Gulf of Mexico as the setting. Sports Illustrated said that the two female athletes had some time talking to each other during the photo shoot. Wozniacki reportedly traded tennis tips for Wushu guidelines from Rousey.
Rousey and Wozniacki are not new to modeling, having been featured in other top-selling magazines. The former No. 1 tennis player has been on the cover of magazines like Prestige and Tennis.
Ronda has graced the cover of "ESPN: The Magazine" as well as in various ads. She also appeared in the action movie "Expendables 3" in 2014. Ronda told For The Win that the Captiva Island shoot was very cold, despite the setting appearing warm. Another photo of Ronda was featured with her wearing a black bikini while assuming a fighting pose with the sand beneath her feet.
Ronda said about her getting cold during the Autumn shoot, "I'm very good at hiding the pain on my face." She added that she was more nervous during the premiere of "Expendables 3" than posing for Sports Illustrated.
Rousey is set to battle Cat Zingano at UFC 184 on February 28, 2015 in Los Angeles.
The Swimsuit Issue of Sports Illustrated is one of the most anticipated annual magazine releases. In the past years, the magazine has featured famous celebrities like Heidi Klum, Tyra Banks and Brooklyn Decker among others on its cover. The 2015 version will officially launch on February 9 on mobile, print and digital platforms. Hannah Davis will be on the cover of the latest issue, based on a report by Fox Sports.