Who is Sophie Cunningham? NBA star and MMA great Max Holloway trade iconic gestures after UFC 329

Sophie Cunningham and Max Holloway posed together inside the octagon after the headlining match of UFC 329.

The basketball player appeared to trade gestures with Holloway for a photo and video session, which was later put forth by the UFC's official social media handles. 

NBA staple Sophie Cunningham displays her crossover star power with ring card girl role at UFC 329

Sophie Cunningham has lately become one of the most recognizable faces in the sport of basketball and beyond. The American athlete has extensively competed as a professional basketball player, starring in the NBA over the past several years. 

The Missouri-born NBA star plays as a guard for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA (Women's National Basketball Association). Prior to her run with the Indiana Fever, which commenced last year, she played for the WNBA's Phoenix Mercury team. 

Cunningham made waves with her iconic finger-pointing gesture earlier this year during a WNBA game between the Indiana Fever and the Phoenix Mercury.

The basketball match, which transpired back in June, witnessed Cunningham's teammate Caitlin Clark seemingly be given a technical foul for her run-in against Mercury player DeWanna Bonner. 

Ironically, Cunningham is an ex-Phoenix Mercury player, whereas Bonner previously played for the Indiana Fever. Well, Cunningham expressed her disapproval of Clark being penalized and questioned why Bonner wasn't. 

Cunningham pointed at Bonner to draw attention to the same, while the latter asked her to stop pointing. That, in turn, resulted in Cunningham continually pointing her finger at Bonner. 

Ultimately, Cunningham's finger-pointing became what many have deemed to be an iconic pop culture moment. It's been utilized in edits, memes, and other content by netizens worldwide. 

Moreover, the NBA star was in attendance for the star-studded UFC 329 event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday, July 11. She notably received the opportunity to serve as a ring card girl.

The 29-year-old held up the round number card and walked around the outer section of the octagon before the commencement of round one of the UFC 329 co-headlining match between Paddy Pimblett and Benoit Saint Denis. 

UFC CEO and president Dana White, during the UFC 329 post-fight press conference, suggested that Cunningham's inclusion as a ring girl for the aforementioned fight was a rather organic happening that materialized mere minutes before she made the walk. 

When asked about when he hired Cunningham as a ring girl for the event, White said, "About eight minutes before she did it." He indicated that she told him she'd like to walk around the octagon as a ring card girl, to which he swiftly granted her wish. 

Watch Dana White discuss Sophie Cunningham's inclusion at UFC 329 below (*comments at the 11:31-minute mark of the video): 

Sophie Cunningham and MMA icon Max Holloway mimic each other's iconic gestures at UFC 329

The headlining match of UFC 329 was a rematch, a welterweight clash between MMA icons Conor McGregor and Max Holloway. Their first encounter saw McGregor get the better of his Hawaiian counterpart via unanimous decision in a featherweight matchup in 2013. 

Nevertheless, their rematch ended at the 1:09-minute mark of the very first round, as McGregor appeared to suffer an injury, landing awkwardly on his right leg after the very first strike he threw. Holloway emerged victorious via TKO, as the injury prevented his Irish rival from continuing the fight. 

Holloway, for his part, called for a trilogy fight against McGregor next. Furthermore, he later partook in a photo and video session with compatriot Sophie Cunningham inside the octagon. 

Max Holloway and Sophie Cunningham link up to hit their signature points 👊🏀#UFC329 | LIVE on TNT Sports Box Office pic.twitter.com/r4Ysw50jhF

— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) July 12, 2026

On one hand, Holloway is known for his iconic 'point to the mat/ground' gesture, which he uses to goad rivals into phone booth striking exchanges. 

On the other hand, Cunningham has made waves with her 'finger pointing' gesture, which she famously used against DeWanna Bonner back in June and has made a part of her public persona as of late. 

On that note, Holloway and Cunningham seemed to trade their respective gestures for the special meeting inside the octagon at UFC 329. While "Blessed" performed the NBA star's 'finger pointing' gesture, Cunningham did his 'point to the ground' gesture. 

Holloway's wife Alessa Quizon and son Rush Holloway also met Cunningham, with Quizon memorably doing the 'finger pointing' gesture while posing with the basketballer. 

Max Holloway and Sophie Cunningham recreated their iconic pointing memes after UFC 329 😅🫵#UFC329 #UFC #MMA pic.twitter.com/3DbfEWveVj

— UFC on TNT Sports (@ufcontnt) July 13, 2026