From the Octagon to the Centerfold: MMA Fighters Who Bared It All for Playboy
In the high-stakes world of mixed martial arts (MMA), where fighters trade blows in steel cages and chase glory under the brightest lights, a select few have stepped into another arena of exposure: the iconic pages of Playboy magazine. Blending the raw athleticism of the sport with the allure of glamour modeling, these combatants have not only dominated opponents but also captivated audiences in ways that extend far beyond the fight game.
From group fashion spreads to groundbreaking nude centerfolds, here’s a look at the MMA fighters who’ve made history with the legendary publication.
Maryna Moroz: The Trailblazing Centerfold Pioneer
Ukrainian UFC flyweight Maryna Moroz etched her name into the annals of combat sports in September 2022 when she became the first active UFC fighter to pose for Playboy’s Centerfold platform—a digital evolution of the magazine’s signature nude pictorials. The 31-year-old, known as “The Iron Lady” for her relentless grappling style, announced the partnership on social media with a teaser of sultry photos in bikinis and G-strings, captioning it: “Happy to announce that I’ll be the first UFC Fighter on Playboy Centerfold! Can’t wait to partner up with such an iconic brand.”
Moroz, who boasts an 11-6 record in MMA, spoke candidly to TMZ about the life-altering gig: “Playboy is something very big for me. It changed everything in my life, and now I am a different person.” The deal marked a lucrative side hustle amid her competitive resurgence; she had notched three straight wins at flyweight before facing former title challenger Jennifer Maia later that year.
While UFC ring girls like Arianny Celeste and Brittney Palmer had appeared in Playboy before, Moroz’s entry as a fighter shattered barriers, blending her modeling background with her MMA prowess. Today, at 34, Moroz continues to fight and model, proving that versatility is the ultimate knockout punch.
Latasha Marzolla: The Muay Thai Model Who Owned the Special Editions
Long before Moroz’s digital debut, Latasha Marzolla was already a Playboy staple in the late 2000s. The American MMA and Muay Thai fighter, who competed professionally while building a modeling empire, graced no fewer than 33 special editions of the magazine and four covers starting around 2006. Marzolla, a pioneer in women’s striking arts, balanced cage fights with high-profile shoots, often drawing parallels between the two worlds.
In a 2009 Las Vegas Sun interview, the then-26-year-old reflected on her dual career: “I’m a naturally big-chested girl but I had implants when I started modeling… If I’m going to do MMA, I don’t want to look down and see that one of my boobs is bigger than the guy’s head that I’m rolling with.” Marzolla turned down a full Playboy contract to prioritize fighting, opting instead for flexible special editions that allowed her to maintain her 33-fight Muay Thai record. Her appearances, often themed around her athletic build, helped normalize the intersection of combat sports and sensuality for female fighters. Though she retired from active competition years ago, Marzolla’s legacy endures as a symbol of unapologetic empowerment.
The “Stand Tough” Squad: A 2011 Fashion Flex for UFC Elites
While solo nude features grab headlines, Playboy also celebrated MMA’s machismo through group editorials. The January 2011 issue’s “Stand Tough” fashion pictorial featured UFC President Dana White alongside a powerhouse lineup of fighters: light heavyweight contenders Ryan Bader and Stephan Bonnar, heavyweight Junior dos Santos, middleweight Vitor Belfort, and rising star Jon Jones. The spread showcased the athletes in rugged, high-fashion attire—think tailored suits and leather jackets—highlighting their physiques without full nudity.
At the time, Jones was on the cusp of his first light heavyweight title win, Bader was ranked No. 7 in his division, and dos Santos was climbing the heavyweight ladder toward his eventual championship reign. Belfort, a Playboy veteran from prior interviews, brought veteran flair, while Bonnar’s inclusion nodded to his iconic rivalry with Forrest Griffin. White, ever the promoter, used the opportunity to tout UFC’s mainstream appeal, telling the magazine in a separate 2008 interview: “UFC fighters are the best all-around athletes in the world.”
The pictorial, hitting newsstands just before Pamela Anderson’s cover, underscored Playboy’s fascination with MMA’s blend of brutality and beauty.
Beyond the Fighters: Ring Girls and the Broader Playboy MMA Tapestry
While the focus here is on cage warriors, it’s worth noting the Playboy pipeline from UFC’s supporting cast. Ring girls like Arianny Celeste (nude in the November 2010 issue, a top-seller that year) and Rachelle Leah (a 2008 cage-themed nude shoot) paved the way, appearing in pictorials that echoed MMA’s intensity. Celeste, who debuted in 2006 and retired in 2023, told ESPN: “It’s a privilege and an honor… The women on the covers are icons.” These features often blurred lines, inspiring fighters like Moroz to follow suit.
A Cultural Knockout: Empowerment or Objectification?
These Playboy moments reflect MMA’s evolution from underground spectacle to pop culture juggernaut, where fighters leverage their bodies for branding as much as knockouts. Critics debate the objectification angle, but subjects like Moroz and Marzolla frame it as empowerment—financial independence and self-expression in a male-dominated sport. As women’s MMA surges with stars like Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko, expect more crossovers. After all, in the fight game, the boldest moves happen outside the ring.
For now, these fighters remind us: The real power play? Owning every spotlight.
