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 fame: the iconic pages of Playboy magazine. Combining the raw athleticism of the sport with the appeal of glamor modeling, these fighters 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 made history with the legendary publication.
Maryna Moroz: The Groundbreaking 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 nudes. The 31-year-old, known as “The Iron Lady” for her brutal wrestling style, announced the partnership on social media with a teaser of sultry photos in bikinis and thongs, captioned: “Happy to announce I will be the first UFC fighter on Playboy Centerfold! I can’t wait to collaborate with such an iconic brand.”
Moroz, who boasts an 11-6 record in MMA, spoke candidly to TMZ about the life-changing gig: “Playboy is a huge thing for me. It changed everything in my life, and now I’m a different person.” The deal marked a lucrative sideline amid its competitive resurgence; she had won three straight at flyweight before facing former title challenger Jennifer Maia later that year.
While UFC ring girls like Arianny Celeste and Brittney Palmer had previously appeared in Playboy, Moroz’s entry as a fighter broke barriers, combining her modeling background with her MMA skills. Today, at the age of 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, Latasa Marzella was already an important part of Playboy in the late 2000s. The American MMA and Muay Thai fighter, who competed professionally while building a modeling empire, has graced no fewer than 33 special editions of the magazine and four covers since 2006. A pioneer in women’s striking arts, Marzolla balanced cage fighting 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 careers: “I’m naturally a 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 head of the guy 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 Muay Thai record of 33 fights. Her performances, often themed around her athletic physique, helped normalize the intersection of martial arts and sensuality for female fighters. Although she retired from active competition years ago, Marzolla’s legacy remains a symbol of unapologetic empowerment.
The “Stand Tough” Squad: A 2011 Fashion Flexibility for UFC Elites
While solo nude films made headlines, Playboy also celebrated MMA’s machismo through group editorials. The January 2011 fashion pic “Stand Tough” 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 featured the athletes in rugged, high-fashion clothing – think tailored suits and leather jackets – highlighting their physiques without full nudity.
At the time, Jones was on the cusp of his first win at light heavyweight, 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 previous interviews, brought veteran flair, while Bonnar’s inclusion nodded to his iconic rivalry with Forrest Griffin. White, ever the promoter, took the opportunity to highlight 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, which hit newsstands just before Pamela Anderson’s cover, underscored Playboy’s fascination with MMA’s mix of brutality and beauty.
Beyond the Fighters: Ring Girls and the Wider Playboy MMA Tapestry
While the focus here is on cage fighters, it’s worth mentioning the Playboy pipeline of UFC’s supporting cast. Ring girls like Arianny Celeste (nude in the November 2010 issue, a bestseller that year) and Rachelle Leah (a 2008 cage-themed nude shoot) paved the way, appearing in images that reflected the intensity of MMA. 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 characteristics often blurred the 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 use their bodies for branding as much as for knockouts. Critics debate the objectification angle, but topics like Moroz and Marzolla describe it as empowerment: financial independence and self-expression in a male-dominated sport. As women’s MMA grows with stars like Amanda Nunes and Valentina Shevchenko, expect more crossovers. After all, in the fighting game, the boldest moves happen outside the ring.
For now, these fighters remind us: the real power play? Owner of every spotlight.
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