Champion UFC fighter Ronda Rousey makes history

The mixed martial artist and judoka champion will hit newsstands on Thursday in what has been pitched as a 'Hardcore Fight Special' edition of the publication.

The cover shows Rousey staring fiercely down the camera lens under the heading 'Think You're Tough? How Ronda Rousey will make you tougher'.

Australian Men's Fitness shared a sneak peak of the groundbreaking cover on their Facebook page on Sunday.

The cover was met with a mixed response by readers with some praising the magazine for featuring the 'inspirational' athlete and other questioning their decision to feature a woman on what is a male publication.

'What an amazing role model & athlete! Here's to all the young girls looking up to this one and smashing through the male-esq boundaries,' one person wrote.

'Questionable appearance for a mens fitness magazine,' wrote another.  

Rousey appeared on the cover in a fitted Reebok singlet, her blonde hair worn in loose curls over her shoulders.

Some Facebook users criticised the image, accusing the magazine of 'pushing her breasts up to enhance her look'.

But Rousey was a step away from the often bikini clad models that brace fitness magazines.

Earlier this month, Rousey hit back at online bullies who labelled her ‘disgustingly manly’ and ‘too muscular.' 

On vlog series UFC 190 Embedded, Rousey said: 'Listen, just because my body was developed for a purpose other than f***ing millionaires doesn’t mean it’s masculine.'

The 28-year-old has previously posed nude for the cover of ESPN's The Magazine 2012 Body Issue and featured on the cover of Maxim magazine.

She has also featured in a number of Hollywood blockbusters including The Expendables 3, Fast & Furious 7 and Entourage. 

(dailymail.co.uk)