By admin 
WNBA guard Sophie Cunningham made a surprise appearance as a UFC ring girl for Conor McGregor’s return fight in Las Vegas on Saturday night. But not everyone was happy about it.
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The Indiana Fever guard, who is in her second year with the team following a trade out of Phoenix, told UFC President Dana White that she would be interested in making a surprise appearance on Saturday night. White complied and had her be a last-second, surprise UFC ring girl.
But some WNBA fans think that Cunningham is belittling the league by doing this. White and the UFC aren’t exactly on great terms with many WNBA fans.
Some WNBA fans took to social media to express their frustration with Cunningham, though the Indiana Fever guard doesn’t seem to mind it.
WNBA fans criticize Cunningham for UFC appearance
Some WNBA fans felt that Cunningham was “insulting” the rest of the league by doing this with White and Co.
“All because she is leaching off of CC. Lexie Hull did it the first year, and then Sophie Cunningham came in and leapfrogged Lexie Hull,” one fan wrote.
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“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.
“I see why y’all hate her now,” one fan added.
Cunningham, meanwhile, appears to enjoy the attention. She’s clapped back at the hate in the past.
“First of all, we are circled on everyone’s roster,” Cunningham said on her podcast with West Wilson. “We are the only team who has all nationally televised games, and just like, people hate us, and I get that.”
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The hate is ongoing, it appears, after Saturday night.
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This story was originally published July 12, 2026 at 8:29 AM.