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WNBA guard Sophie Cunningham caused a stir with a surprise appearance at the UFC 329 event in Las Vegas, Nevada on Saturday evening.
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Cunningham, who is in Year 2 of her tenure with the Indiana Fever, was criticized by some WNBA fans, for choosing to work as a ring girl for the big fight night led by UFC President Dana White.
“I love Sophie Cunningham, man,” White said, via Uncrowned Combat on X. “We have created a relationship, and she was here tonight. When she walked in she goes, ‘Oh I want to walk around that (Octagon). I said, ‘Then, you’re going to walk around it.’ She is fun.”
Some WNBA fans, though, were unhappy.
Some close to the WNBA were critical of her appearance.
“The UFC did a better job Marketing the WNBA last night than the WNBA,” one fan added.
“Not surprised,” one fan added.
“Yuck,” one fan added.
“Yes Sophie, continue to devalue the sport you play professionally,” another fan added on social media.
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“I see why y’all hate her now,” one fan added.
Cunningham, though, is defending her decision
Cunningham made it clear that she stands by her decision. She had a lot of fun on Saturday evening.
She made it clear that she was blessed for the opportunity.
Cunningham might be getting criticized by some for her appearance, but it’s clear that the WNBA guard is standing by her decision to help promote the UFC and its big-time fight night in Las Vegas on Saturday evening.
But what do you make of Cunningham’s decision to help promote the UFC and its fight night on Saturday evening?
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This story was originally published July 12, 2026 at 10:55 AM.