VIDEO | Michelle Waterson strips down to her birthday suit for the new ESPN Body Issue

Michelle Waterson is no stranger to being in front of the camera.

However, things were a bit different this time as she stripped down to her birthday suit for the new 2017 ESPN Body Issue. The ninth annual Body Issue is set to come out on newsstands on July 7 while featured photos and videos will be posted to the ESPN website on July 5.

“Everything tells a story and I’m very proud of my story, so I’m proud of my body,” Waterson said in the behind the scenes preview of the photo shoots featuring the nude athletes.

Other athletes from various sports in the 2017 ESPN Body Issue include New England Patriots wide receiver, Julian Edelman, NPF Softball player for the Akron Racers, A.J. Andrews, and Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas, just to name a few.

Waterson will add her to name to the list of ESPN Body Issue veterans including some big names from mixed martial arts such as Conor McGregor, Jon Jones, Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate, and Cris Cyborg.

“The Karate Hottie” last fought in April at UFC on FOX 24 where she fell short against Rose Namajunas, who ended the fight by rear-naked choke submission in the second round. Waterson holds a 14-5 professional MMA record going 2-1 in the UFC. Waterson beat Angela Magana by rear-naked choke in the third round of her UFC debut at The Ultimate Fighter 21 Finale in 2015. Waterson went on to pick up another big win over Paige VanZant at UFC on FOX 22 in December of last year with another rear-naked choke submission in the first round.

Following the loss to Namajunas, Waterson was still positive and posted a photo to social media with smile saying, “Couple of bumps and bruises but I’m healthy. A sleepless night trying to breakdown my fight. I know it was the little things that cost me, and at this level it is the little things that count. The reason I love to fight is because it keeps me honest with myself. I know what I am capable of… Time to get back to work. Thank you everybody who supports me throughout my journey.”

Who would you like to see Michelle Waterson fight next? Let’s put your matchmaking skills to work and let us know in the comment section who you would like to see “The Karate Hottie” fight next in the Octagon!

on 6/26/2017.