The MMA world is buzzing as Ronda Rousey prepares to step back into the cage this Saturday, facing off against fellow legend Gina Carano. But before the gloves go on, a throwback image of Rousey is stealing the spotlight: her 2016 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit body paint shoot, where she was transformed into a fierce tiger.
Rousey, who graced the SI Swimsuit issue twice during her prime, first appeared in 2015 while still undefeated in the UFC. The following year, she took part in the magazine’s iconic “Body Paint” series. Makeup artist Joanne Gair told SI Swimsuit, “I had never painted a tiger before—I had never painted an animal before—and it was so appropriate for this personality. The cover one was a great success, but the tiger one was very Ronda. She wore it so well, she loved it.”
That tiger-striped pose is now trending again as fans count down to the super fight. The bout, sanctioned under the Unified Rules of MMA, will feature five five-minute rounds and is being promoted by Most Valuable Promotions. It takes place at the Intuit Dome in Inglewood, California, and will stream exclusively on Netflix.
“Been waiting so long to announce this: Me and Gina Carano are gonna throw down in the biggest super fight in women’s combat sport history,” Rousey told ESPN earlier this year. “And we’re partnering with the fighter-first promotion MVP as well as the biggest and baddest streamer on the planet Netflix. This is for all MMA fans past, present and future.”
At Friday’s weigh-in, Rousey tipped the scales at 142 pounds, while Carano came in slightly lighter at 141.4 pounds. The matchup has reignited memories of Rousey’s dominant UFC run, but also raised questions about her long hiatus.
Rousey retired from full-time fighting due to a history of concussions. “I’d like people to understand my reasons and motivations behind things,” she told ESPN. “I was forced to leave fighting when I was faster, stronger, more skilled and had a better understanding of the art than ever before. It was a really hard decision to understand, one that my body made for me.”
While fans might dream of a full comeback, Rousey has indicated this fight with Carano is a one-off. Still, the nostalgia around her former rival's transformation and the buzz from other throwback swimsuit moments have added extra fuel to the hype.
The tiger body paint photo isn’t just a nod to Rousey’s fighting spirit—it’s a reminder of the charisma that made her a crossover star. Now, she’s ready to show the world if that fire still burns.
