Mixed martial arts is a sport widely practiced by men. While the ring girls have been prevelant, female fighters didn’t appear until recent years under the Strikeforce mixed martial arts promotion. Female fighters are very controversial. Many fans argue that they don’t belong in the UFC, and others feel that it gives the sport a WWE feel; especially when these fighters pose nude. It’s one thing for a ring girl to pose nude, as their profile depends on positive feedback from fans. Female fighters, on the other hand, are supposed to build their image around their athletic ability and achievements in the octagon. Posing nude, even in an artful manner, seems to diminish that talent. Ronda Rousey is the newest female fighter to embody such an image.
While Rousey was found bashing fellow opponent Miesha Tate and other female fighters for having pictures online in their underwear, it seems she has changed her tune. Officials for ESPN the magazine stated today that Rousey would be one of six athletes appearing nude in the magazine. The magazine is scheduled to hit newsstands July 13th. The shots are intended to look artistic rather than raunchy. You can be the judge of that.
Rousey feels that it will help boost her PPVs, and, as stated, raise her profile as a fighter and a person. I am concerned with this. Ronda Rousey is an explosive athlete who has surged the media for her aggressive submission attempts, trash talking in and out of the octagon, and her amazing physique. It would be a shame if people soon began to see and know her for her body rather than her fighting skills, as emphasized with her pictures. Whether you love her or you hate her, there aren’t too many bad things you can say about a fighter who has gone undefeated while finishing every fight. She has skills, and has the potential to bring the female division of the sport to a whole new level, and give others a chance to develop a respect and appreciation for female fighters. We can only hope that a scandalous photo shoot won’t cheapen that potential.
On the other hand, female athletes pose for a number of magazines revealing a completely nude body including Maxim, Playboy, and Hustler. If a female athlete is going to pose without clothes on, it’s more appropriate to present the photos in an athlete themed magazine. After all, the clothes they wear to fight don’t cover much skin either. But there seems to be a much more appealing aspect to a fighter with tight clothes on rather than being nude. I hope Ronda Rousey’s decision to pose for ESPN magazine doesn’t cause a concern for her image as a fighter, but is rather seen as an artistic piece of publicity. That’s why famous people do a ton of crazy stuff, right?
By: Emily Kapala