WNBA star and Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Sophie Cunningham made an unplanned appearance as a UFC ring girl during UFC 329 in Las Vegas, a move that UFC CEO Dana White confirmed was decided just minutes before it occurred.
Speaking at the post-fight press conference, White explained that the collaboration was entirely spontaneous. According to the CEO, Cunningham approached him upon arrival at the T-Mobile Arena and expressed interest in the role. “She was here, and when she walked in, she goes, ‘Oh, I wanna walk around that.’ I said, ‘Then you’re gonna walk around it,’” White stated. The decision was finalized approximately eight minutes before she took to the stage during Paddy Pimblett’s walkout.
The impromptu cameo served as a highlight for fans during an event that otherwise faced significant challenges. While the crowd reacted positively to Cunningham’s appearance, the card’s main event—the highly anticipated return of Conor McGregor against Max Holloway—ended in controversy. McGregor suffered a knee injury just 69 seconds into the fight, leading to an immediate stoppage and frustration among the live audience.
White’s relationship with Cunningham has been increasingly visible. Following the event, the UFC CEO was seen attending the Indiana Fever’s 109-75 victory over the Las Vegas Aces on Sunday, where he was photographed hugging the athlete. While the UFC continues to navigate high-profile event management and athlete injuries, White’s willingness to integrate cross-promotional talent into live broadcasts remains a notable feature of his current operational style.