Ronda Rousey may have been defeated by Holly Holm in a bloody fight last month, but the UFC fighter is still a superhero in many people’s eyes.
The 28-year-old fighter has now been immortalized in a hard-hitting illustration titled “Rowdy’s Revenge,” an espnW collaboration with Marvel that’s part of the network’s 2015 IMPACT25 list. The honor recognizes 25 athletes and influencers who have made the biggest mark on women in sports during 2015.
“A true cultural phenomenon. Rousey’s one loss doesn’t diminish her insane accomplishments,” the illustration’s caption reads.
Other IMPACT25 honorees recreated in superhero form include Women’s World Cup star Carli Lloyd, Lydia Ko, Serena Williams, Misty Copeland and ESPN baseball analyst Jessica Mendoza, as the sports stars join forces with Ms. Marvel, The Black Widow, Thor, She-Hulk and Medusa in original renderings by Marvel artists.
The list will be capped by The espnW Woman of the Year, to be chosen by the honorees themselves and announced at the inaugural IMPACT25 Gala on Thursday, Feb. 25, in New York.
“In a time when every year seems to be the ‘year of the woman,’ these 25 were remarkable for their influence on and off the field,” Alison Overholt, editor-in-chief, espnW, said in a statement Tuesday. “They have individually — and collectively — advanced the dialogue surrounding women in sports, and we’re proud to celebrate their feats.”
“For decades, Marvel has been able to present our female heroes as the pinnacle of strength and empowerment,” Sana Amanat, Marvel director of content development, added. “Now, working with espnW, we are honored to continue this tradition and translate some of the brightest influencers in sports with this year’s IMPACT25. What these individuals have accomplished is no less than heroic and that is something we are thrilled to pay tribute to.”
Marvel and espnW are both part of the Walt Disney Company.
Earlier on Tuesday, espnW also released an all-access, behind-the-scenes profile of Rousey by reporter Ramona Shelburne appearing in ESPN the magazine’s “Ideas of the Year” issue, which hits newsstands on Friday.
In the interview, Rousey finally breaks her silence about her defeat at the hands (and feet) of Holm. “I’m just really fucking sad,” the MMA fighter said. “It might be about three to six months before I can eat an apple, let alone take an impact.”
As for her future and the possibility of a rematch, which was promised by UFC president Dana White last week on ESPN’s “Mike & Mike,” Rousey said, “Maybe I can’t do it all before my prime, before my body is done … but fuck it, maybe I can.”
