Indiana Fever v Atlanta Dream ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 20: Sophie Cunningham 8 of the Indiana Fever celebrates a three pointer during a game between Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream at State Farm Arena on June 20, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. 9405
Indiana Fever v Atlanta Dream ATLANTA, GA - JUNE 20: Sophie Cunningham 8 of the Indiana Fever celebrates a three pointer during a game between Indiana Fever and Atlanta Dream at State Farm Arena on June 20, 2026 in Atlanta, Georgia. 9405
Sophie Cunningham has built a reputation for stealing the spotlight wherever she goes, and this time it happened inside an octagon rather than on a basketball court.
Speaking to reporters after UFC 329 wrapped up, Dana White explained how quickly the plan came together.
"About eight minutes before she did it," Dana White said in his post-fight press conference on Saturday. "I love Sophie Cunningham. We've created a relationship, and she was here tonight. And when she walked in, she goes, 'Oh, I wanna walk around that.' I said, 'Then you're gonna walk around it.'"
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JUNE 27: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham 8 drops back to play defense against the Los Angeles Sparks on June 27, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA JUN 27 Los Angeles Sparks at Indiana Fever EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon26062780
INDIANAPOLIS, IN - JUNE 27: Indiana Fever guard Sophie Cunningham 8 drops back to play defense against the Los Angeles Sparks on June 27, 2026, at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, Indiana. Photo by Brian Spurlock/Icon Sportswire WNBA, Basketball Damen, USA JUN 27 Los Angeles Sparks at Indiana Fever EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon26062780
White's comment reflects a bond that's grown between the two over recent months, with Cunningham a regular presence at high-profile sporting events. UFC 329 drew a stacked celebrity row at T-Mobile Arena, but she was the only guest handed an actual role in the card.
Cunningham herself broke down the moment further during Indiana's shootaround the next day, ahead of their matchup against the Las Vegas Aces. In comments to reporters, she gave her side of how the offer landed.
"I found out literally like five minutes before," Cunningham said at the Fever's Sunday shootaround. "Me and Dana have kind of become friends, and he's an amazing dude, and UFC is awesome. And Dana came over to say what's up, and I was like, 'Hey, if you need a ring girl, let me know.' And he's like, 'Alright, first round for the Paddy fight, that's you.'"
The timing lined up well for Cunningham, who is riding a strong stretch off the court too, with her signature Adidas shoe set to release July 24. She walked one lap before Paddy Pimblett finished Benoit Saint-Denis in 52 seconds, closing out her cameo almost as fast as it began.
This off-court attention went right into the game for Cunningham, who turned in one of her finest games ever less than a day later.
Sophie Cunningham Delivers Career Night As Fever Blowout Aces
The unbelievable weekend for Sophie Cunningham just kept going once the Fever hit the hardwood. Caitlin Clark believes that this kind of excitement is here to stay.
"It was so fun to see, obviously," Clark told reporters. "It's cool that people love it, and it shows that people are really paying attention to the WNBA, the players we have, the personalities we have across this league."
Clark then playfully speculated about what might come next for her teammate. "Maybe we'll see her do more of it," Clark added. "Who knows, maybe she'll be a UFC fighter. I don't know. That's up to Sophie."
Cunningham backed up that energy with substance, scoring 20 points on 7 of 9 shooting in just 23 minutes, the most efficient 20-point outing in franchise history, helping Indiana blow out Las Vegas 109-75 to close their road trip at 14-9.
Did Sophie Cunningham steal the show at UFC 329? Comment and let us know what you think.
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Written by
Utsav Gupta
Edited by
Ashvinkumar Patil