Whaddya know? MMA edged out more popular sports this time as ESPN chose Gina Carano over more popular female athletes to grace the cover of its “The Body Issue.”

One would think that Ms Carano’s kick (and breasts barely covered by her hand) splashed on the cover of ESPN would drive readers (or even non-readers) to a magazine-buying frenzy.

ESPN’s “The Body Issue,” is all about, well….the naked body. The issue features volleyball players in the nude, nude motocross riders, to SERENA WILLIAMS all in their naked glory. One of the six athletes featured to grace the cover, Sara Reinersten said, “It got easier as we kept going. I think, you know, you get comfortable with people on set. You know, after the first two minutes of being horrified that you’re totally naked!”

ESPN”s “The Body Issue” features only six athletes to grace the cover. Besides Gina Carano, Williams, and Reinersten are Dwight Howard, Adrian Peterson, and Clair Bevilacqua.

It’s a nice combination of athletes, we think. But….

MMA-Tap-Out can’t help but notice a collective groan from fans asking “Why not … (fill in the name of a female sports icon you wish were a part of this, uhurm – naked collection)?”

And here’s our take on some of the missed opportunities (in random order):

Danica Patrick. IRL driver. The first woman to win an Indy car race. Yes, we’ve had a lot of Danica photos in revealing outfits, but hey…this is ESPN’s “The Body Issue.”

Jennie Finch. The most famous softball player of all time. Forget the Olympic gold medals and other awards she won with her U.S. team, her Sports Illustrated photos are more interesting. ESPN could have given us more.

Gabrielle Reece Volleyball player. She’s also a model and a sports announcer. We just can’t get enough of her spikes, dives and digs.

Anna Kournikova and Maria Sharapova. Why skip these two tennis divas?

And finally… Allison Stokke. Pole vaulter turned internet sensation.

Why ESPN…Why didn’t you?