Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Let's start the night off by taking a look back over the three biggest stories of Thursday, Sept. 10, 2026.
Paulo Costa requested UFC release multiple times with only one fight left on contract – 'I'm very professional': At 35 years of age, maybe Paulo Costa thinks he can cash out in the boxing ring before his career is up? I'm not sure what MMA promotion would pay him significantly more than his current UFC contract.
Paddy Pimblett details hatred of Ilia Topuria: 'I want to inflict pain on his life': It really is remarkable that two random undercard fighters started beefing and then ended up as two of the sport's biggest stars years later.
Justin Gaethje breaks down Ilia Topuria's fatal flaws during UFC White House fight: 'He made terrible mistakes': Gaethje actually offers some interesting insight into Topuria's movement here, good stuff.

#paulo #fight #years #midnight

Paddy Pimblett has opened up about rumors of him facing Ilia Topuria next.
It took just 52 seconds for Paddy 'The Baddy' to catch Benoit Saint Denis in a choke and render him unconscious. Arguably his greatest display inside the octagon against one of the division's elite, the Brit has been in limbo since July. No fight announcement, and reportedly no talks have taken place since the 28-year-old's showstopping performance in Las Vegas.
While comfortable enjoying life away from the octagon, Paddy Pimblett has **** le aspirations and is seeking the ultimate success under the UFC banner. Likely one fight away from another chance to achieve his dreams, Pimblett has been rumored to face long-term rival Ilia Topuria next.
A win in that fight would undoubtedly earn him a shot at the lightweight throne, but is the fight happening? According to Pimblett, no talks have taken place regarding any future opponents.
"I'd love to smash his head in, lad," Pimblett said about Topuria. "But we need to wait and see… Nothing [has been discussed] yet. No one's spoken to me about it, so we'll see what happens."

#topuria #next

MMA Fighting has Taylor vs. Pili results for the Katie Taylor vs. Flora Pili fight card and more for one of the most highly anticipated events of the year at Croke Park in Dublin, Ireland, on Saturday afternoon.
When the main event begins around 5 p.m. ET, check out our Taylor vs. Pili live round-by-round updates for our live blog of the main event. Katie Taylor looks to defend her super lightweight undisputed ****** le with a victory over Flora Pili in Taylor's final fight of her career.
Check out Taylor vs. Pili results below.
Dave Allen vs. Thomas Carty
Paddy Donovan vs. Tyrone McKenna

#katie #check #fight

There are victories, and then there are statements.
On a night when Reading desperately needed a spark to ignite their season, they delivered a performance that reminded us of the quality we have running through this side. The only disappointment was the number of supporters inside the Select Car Leasing Stadium to witness it.
Mansfield Town arrived hoping to continue their strong start to the campaign. Following a recent 5-2 victory over promotion hopefuls Luton Town, the Stags were hoping to continue winning habits, but instead left on the back of a 5-0 defeat, which in truth could have been much worse.
Although many Reading players could be singled out for praise, I was particularly impressed with George Earthy, whose movement off the ball and passing ability reminded me of a certain Frank Lampard. I wonder if he ever made it in the game!
Paddy Lane had one of his best performances in a Reading shirt and Kyreece Lisbie continues to impress with his direct style of play and willingness to make things happen going forward.

#following

Paddy Donovan insists he is not "underestimating" Tyrone McKenna before they meet at Croke Park on Saturday with a second crack at world honours on the horizon.
Donovan bounced back from his first ******* le defeat by Lewis Crocker with an impressive victory over Karen Chukhadzhian in May to return to the mandatory slot for the IBF welterweight ******* le held by Australia's Liam Paro.
The Limerick man is aware of the risks in taking a fight in the interim, but felt this was too good an opportunity to turn down and plans to put on a show to elevate his status.
He and McKenna have sparred countless rounds over the years and the 27-year-old, whose record is 15 wins with two defeats, feels he is a level above his fellow southpaw.
"It's risky to take the fight being number one with the IBF but I couldn't turn down the opportunity to fight in front of 80,000 Irish fans," Donovan said at Thursday's news conference.

#title #Opportunity #tyrone

Fares Ziam will have Trevor Wittman in his corner at UFC Fight Night 287.Ziam (18-5 MMA, 8-3 UFC) takes on Axel Sola (12-1-1 MMA, 2-1 UFC) in Saturday's lightweight co-main event at Accor Arena in Paris.
Ziam has worked with Wittman before, and even served as a key training partner for UFC lightweight champion Justin Gaethje's UFC 324 fight against Paddy Pimblett. But now Ziam is looking to make a permanent move onto Wittman's team.
"My plan is to move with my family to the U.S. to be in Denver," Ziam told MMA Junkie. "Honestly, like I say, two to three years in Denver and forget, but yes, for me it's important to evolve in this game, to be focused. Before, I didn't have any head coach. I had a team around me, but at this level, we need a head coach, a guy who thinks for you, a guy who works well for you, and Trevor is the best for me."
Ziam saw his six-fight winning streak snapped by Tom Nolan in June at UFC Fight Night 278. Not only was it his first setback in more than four years, he also lost his spot in the lightweight rankings.
"I don't underestimate anybody, but I was on a six-fight win streak," Ziam said. "It's true also, not a lot of hype on this fight, but a fight is a fight, so we need to go 100 percent on focus. In this fight, I lost my focus a little bit. I was too relaxed, but I think everyone knows I'm better than him. But that night, he won."

#fight #years

Croke Park's storied history contains some of Irish sport's most seminal moments.
Primarily a stadium for Gaelic games, there have been occasions when other sports graced the hallowed turf and on 19 July 1972, punches replaced points as Muhammad Ali took on Al 'Blue' Lewis.
When Katie Taylor makes her final career ringwalk on Saturday with the undisputed light-welterweight crown on offer against Flora Pili, 54 years will have passed since 'The Greatest' starred at the since redeveloped venue.
While Ali was the main attraction in 1972, it was Belfast's Paddy Maguire who boxed last on that balmy Wednesday evening, coming through on points against France's Guy Caudron.
"It's hard to believe it has taken so long for boxing to return to Croke Park," Maguire told BBC Sport NI.

#croke

PFL lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov hasn't entered the UFC yet, but he's already talking trash about the quality of opposition he may face when he gets there.
Nurmagomedov fought the last fight on his PFL contract last month, and recently revealed he turned down a $2 million per fight offer from the organization in order to wait out the 90 day exclusive negotiation period and see what other promotions might offer him. Promotions like the UFC, where he could finally get his due as one of the best lightweights in the world.
In an interview with Sport24, Usman pushed back on the idea that the top fighters are all in the UFC.
"They say if you don't fight in the UFC, it's not the same level. I disagree with this," he said. "Just look at the guys in the UFC who sit in the top 10 and they just fight amongst themselves and keep the top ten closed. For example, Benoit Saint Denis. Won 4, lost to Dustin Poirier, lost to 'Money' Moicano, lost 3 more. Lost in 30 seconds. [Michael] Chandler. Top 15. He's there. Lost to [Paddy] Pimblett."
"[Ilia] Topuria, who praised himself endlessly, lost. Quit on the stool. Said 'I don't wanna continue.' Arman [Tsarukyan] lost to [Mateusz] Gamrot, and he lost to Islam [Makhachev]. He sits, waits a year, fights once, and says that he is the best wrestler in the world. While he had two fights, I made four ****** le defenses."

#fight #promotions #best #World

Welcome to Midnight Mania!
Let's start the night off by taking a look back over the three biggest stories of Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026.
Charles Oliveira shoots down UFC ****** le eliminators against Arman, Paddy Pimblett — 'I'm next in line … I can wait': Oliveira is extremely popular and accomplished, so a ****** le shot next is possible. But, Arman or Paddy could jump him with an impressive win, so this is a gamble.
Contender Series fighter who upset Bella Mir forced to cut celebration short — 'I have work in the morning': Given that this was only Alex Apodaca's fifth pro fight at 32 years of age, having another job makes a whole lot of sense!
UFC super prospect (and historic betting favorite) Bella Mir bloodied, beaten in biggest upset in Contender Series history: I do expect Bella Mir to bounce back from this in the long run (should she choose to focus on MMA moving forward).

#paddy

Max Holloway may lose a portion of his fight purse following his UFC 329 victory over Conor McGregor — and he's not alone. Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC) will decide on Wednesday if the former featherweight and BMF champ, along with lightweight contender Paddy Pimblett and heavyweight newcomer Gable Steveson, will incur disciplinary fines for cage hopping during the July 11 fight card in Las Vegas.
Pimblett defeated Benoit Saint Denis, not long after Steveson steamrolled Elisha Ellison.
"For the record, this rule needs to be changed," Pimblett's manager, Graham Boylan told MMA Junkie. "Yes, it's the fight game, and systems need to be in play to make it all work, but this rule does nothing to support that. It's 2026. Apply a little common sense."
Diego Lopes was dinged $5,000 for a similar infraction at UFC 300.
NSAC has been cracking down on airborne fighters ever since Khabib Nurmagomedov's ****** bombed Dillon Danis at UFC 229 back in late 2018, a fight that also involved McGregor. Speaking of the "Notorious" ex-champion, he's currently sidelined after knee surgery to repair damage suffered in his loss to Holloway — just don't expect much sympathy from the "Blessed" Hawaiian.

#holloway #mcgregor #nsac #nevada

We continue the countdown to the start of the Arizona Cardinals' regular season. Today, Thursday, August 20, is 24 days away from the Arizona Cardinals' regular-season opener on Sept. 13 on the road against the Los Angeles Chargers.
With 24 days until Week 1, let's look back at the 1924 season for the Cardinals.
In 1924, the Cardinals went 5-4-1, starting out 3-0. They had four shutout victories. They were also shut out twice and held under 10 points five times.
They averaged 9.0 points per game and allowed 6.7. They scored 10 total touchdowns.
Paddy Driscoll was a second-team All-Pro. He threw two touchdown passes and rushed for one. John Hurlburt rushed for two scores and caught a touchdown pass.

#cardinals #season #rushed

Daniel Cormier wants Ali Abdelaziz to pump the brakes on PFL champion Usman Nurmagomedov's chances against top UFC lightweights.
Nurmagomedov (22-0) is a free agent after knocking out Archie Colgan in the first-round of the PFL New York main event earlier this month. If Nurmagomedov does end up signing with the UFC, his manager, Abdelaziz, claimed on the "Pound 4 Pound" podcast that he would have his way with Ilia Topuria, Paddy Pimblett, Charles Oliveira, and Max Holloway – which Cormier thinks is an absurd statement to make.
"I get it, that's your guy, you're a promoter, but you're speaking about the absolute best guys in the world," Cormier said on his YouTube channel. "Now, to have faith and think Usman Nurmagomedov can fight these guys, absolutely. ... I think Usman Nurmagomedov is special. I think Usman Nurmagomedov, if he comes to the UFC, immediately becomes one of the top contenders in the organization. I have seen this young man train. I have seen him work. I know that he has championship-level experience."
While Nurmagomedov got some of that championship-level experience through two tough outings against Paul Hughes, Cormier said the UFC would be a step up in competition.
"As good as the Irish kid is, the UFC guys are better," Cormier said. "So you would imagine that these fights would be ultra competitive, but that's the beauty in having a guy separate himself from the world in a different organization. That's the beauty because while what Ali says is very out there, when he looks at that group of fighters, he would expect that because that's all they've really done. Umar has done very well. Khabib dominated; Islam has dominated.

#cormier #think #pound

A magical ride for the Berlin Little League All-Stars ended on a rainy night in the Mid-Atlantic Regional in Bristol, Conn.
Naamans Little League, the Delaware state champions, scored 11 times in the fifth inning to eliminate the Maryland state champions 12-4 on Aug. 10.
The trip to Connecticut could have had a much different ending as Berlin led by three runs in the fifth inning of both of its games.
"This is a great group of kids that we have," Berlin Little League manager Anthony Torreullas said. "It is a painful one, especially at this age. Just reassuring them how great it was to get here, how proud we are, how much we love them and they are going to remember times like this for the rest of their lives. The collective effort for the last couple of months, we appreciate it."
Delaware took the lead in the top of the fourth inning on Paddy Grugan's RBI single. That came one batter after Berlin center fielder Declan Soares made a catch after falling down.

#berlin #state

Bono and Steve Coogan were among the mourners at Glen Hansard's funeral service on Tuesday.
The Once actor died in a single-vehicle motorbike crash near Dublin, Ireland on 29 July at the age of 56.
His family, friends and fans celebrated his life and career at his funeral service in St Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin on Tuesday.
In addition to the U2 frontman and Alan Partridge actor, mourners included Pearl Jam's Eddie Vedder, Hansard's Once co-star Markéta Irglová, and his The Commitments co-star Angeline Ball.
A number of Irish stars were also in attendance, including Bridesmaids actor Chris O'Dowd and musicians Hozier, Imelda May, Paddy Casey and Declan O'Rourke.
According to BBC News, Bono recited an extended poem ****** led Beautiful Day, which features lyrics from the U2 song of the same name, before bursting into song with his bandmate The Edge and encouraging the congregation to join them.

#tuesday

Both the former prince Andrew and his ex-wife, Sarah Ferguson, are now dealing with something called the consequences of their own actions. And for people who are not used to that, it can be hard. Andrew was stripped of his **** les, ordered to vacate his home at Royal Lodge, and is now under official investigation by the police. Fergie's ties to Jeffrey Epstein, meanwhile, continue to be reported all over.
Amid that, Hollywood insider Rob Shuter reports that Ferguson is once again looking for a place to disappear after her location in Switzerland was exposed. She was previously staying at the late Paddy McNally's chalet in Verbier, but not everyone knows where she is.
More from StyleCaster
Charles & Camilla's Separate Lives Exposed as Source Reveals the Real Reason They Haven't Slept in the Same Bed in Months
Camilla & Charles Reportedly 'Extremely Disappointed' Over Meghan's Diana Grave Photo-Words 'Fell on Deaf Ears'

#charles #amid

We at Sherdog provide regular, in-depth preview coverage for allmajor events, including our oft-praised preview column along withour "Sheehan Show" handling all sorts of related matters includingbetting. With those official sources for picks handled, we wouldlike to take the edge off here and get a bit lighter with one finalbreakdown.

The industry of sports betting is exploding before our very eyes,with billions of dollars pumping in since legalization stateside.Oftentimes, those driving the lines are right on the money withtheir openings, valuations and ***** yses. Occasionally, they are wayoff, or otherwise merit some additional conversation. That is wherewe come in with this reinvigorated series of Prime Picks, where,swiping a line from game show host Sam Reich, we hold hands andjump into the abyss together for the Ultimate Fighting Championship's maiden voyageto Serbia on Saturday. Try it out.
JanBlachowicz (+260)
OR
MarcinTybura (+280)
Why Not Both Total: (+1268)

First off, we are not suggesting that one should go out on a limbfor both Blachowicz and Tybura, but rather that one should choosetheir poison. The most daring, optimistic bettors might be temptedto throw a few bucks on the flier, but we see that as just a way topad the betting company's bank account. One or the other, however,could pull off the upset as elder statesmen in their respectivedivisions of light heavyweight and heavyweight. The "fightinguncle" movement is still very much in play.

Having turned 43 in February, former champ Blachowicz isunquestionably on the tail end of his UFC career. The last time hewon a fight, GloverTeixeira held the belt in their weight class and future starPaddyPimblett just picked up his second win under the UFC banner.There is an age cliff that every athlete encounters, and thatincludes Yoel Romeroeven as he draws Darren Tillsoon without gloves on. With that gloom-and-doom surrounding thePolish vet's tenure out in the open, there are still ample ways hecan pick up the win. After all, if a top-10 BogdanGuskov—whom he drew with in December—is the worst loss he hassuffered in that stretch, who is to say how "washed" he is againstburgeoning talent?

Blachowicz is an equal opportunity finisher despite his reputationof "Polish Power," with that expectation looming so large that mostforget he posts an equal number of subs to knockouts. It has notbeen since 2018 that he landed one, and it is not the implicationthat he will put NavajoStirling in danger with offensive submission grappling, butrather that he has demonstrated a wherewithal in the field to addanother wrinkle to his game. Additionally, Blachowicz serves ***** neakily effective takedown artist, practically shutting downIsraelAdesanya in a performance that at the time seemed shockingwhile in hindsight might have been predictable. Blachowicz canspoil the record of the unbeaten upstart in a variety of ways, aslong as he does not keep his chin on the proverbial gunnery rangehoping to s

Speaking to Total Sport's Ian Kennedy on BBC Radio Merseyside, The Athletic's Everton correspondent Paddy Boyland said "even in order to stand still" in their Premier League position, Everton have to do "an awful lot of work in the transfer market".
Idrissa Gana Gueye has already left the club and his Senegal team-mate, Iliman Ndiaye, is also linked with an exit, with Saudi Pro League side Al Hilal showing their interest.
On the forward's potential move, Boyland said: "The deal will have to work for Everton.
"There's still a position of relative strength when you look at the fact that his contract runs until 2029, three years left on that, they don't have to accept an offer just for the sake of it."
Everton signed 26-year-old Ndiaye for around £15m in 2024 and would be expected to make a large profit from a sale.

#everton #ndiaye

Team NI swimmers Lottie Cullen and Grace Davison progressed to the women's 200m backstroke final after coming through their heats on Friday morning.
Cullen finished second in the first heat in two minutes 12.23 seconds behind Australia's Hannah Fredericks, who qualified fastest in 2:09.81.
Davison's time of 2:12.24 was enough for a place in the final after she finished third in heat three behind Scotland's Holly McGill (2:09.88) and Australia's Iona Anderson (2:11.08).
The women's 200m backstroke final takes place at Tollcross Swimming Centre at 19:51 BST on Friday.
Paddy Johnston and Conor Ferguson both qualified for the men's 50m backstroke semi-finals. Johnston and Ferguson finished fourth in their respective heats in 25.38 and 25.48.

#johnston #heat

Charlie Gallagher – What a Player! Photo Celtic Star Books
Charlie took the corner kick that led to Billy McNeill's last gasp goal against Vojvodina in the quarter final second leg at Celtic park, a goal that would send the club into the semi-finals, so he could lay claim to having played his part on route to our iconic success.
Just a couple of years earlier, Charlie also laid on Billy McNeill's winner in the Scottish Cup final over Dunfermline, again from a corner kick.
That cup final win over the Pars was said to the the catalyst for the period of success we enjoyed under the legendary Jock Stein, so Charlie deserves great credit for his contributions to the Celtic fairytale.
Charlie who was the cousin of Paddy Crerand signed for the club in September 1958, and made his full debut a year later in a 1-0 League Cup win over Raith Rovers at Celtic Park, but it wasn't until the appointment of Jock Stein that he fully flourished, as he suffered from inconsistency due to Jimmy McGrory playing him in serval positions, without ever settling in the one role. That understandably affected his confidence.

UFC 329 took place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, featuring the return of Conor McGregor – which didn't amount to much.
In the main event, McGregor was set to face Max Holloway in a rematch 13 years in the making, and everyone was robbed of an opportunity to see the fight develop due to an injury on the first action from the Irishman. The fight would have had little-to-no impact on the rankings, but there was action on the undercard that caused movement.
In the co-main event, Paddy Pimblett made a huge statement by submitting Benoit Saint Denis in the opening minute with a unique submission he dubbed "The Pad-Tie." Pimblett climbs from No. 9 to No. 7, while BSD falls one spot to No. 8.
Also on the main card, Mario Bautista got one back on Cory Sandhagen, causing a shift in the bantamweight rankings. As a result of a swap, Bautista is the new No. 5, while Sandhagen falls to No. 6.
Check out all of the moves in the latest USA TODAY Sports/MMA Junkie rankings.

LAS VEGAS - Dana White says Sophie Cunningham serving as a UFC 329 ring girl was not planned.
The WNBA star, who plays for the Indiana Fever, was in attendance for Saturday's event at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. She ended up being the ring girl for the co-main event between Paddy Pimblett and Benoit Saint Denis.
But how did that end up happening? UFC CEO White explained.
"(We hired her) about eight minutes before she did it," White said during the UFC 329 post-fight news conference. "I love Sophie Cunningham. We've created a relationship and she was here tonight. When she walked in, she goes, 'I want to walk around that (octagon).' I said, 'Then you're going to walk around it.' She's fun."
Cunningham dropped 20 points on 6-7 threes in the Fever's win over Las Vegas Aces on Sunday, with White in attendance. She reacted to her surprise experience.

Paddy Pimblett says he would have considered retiring had he lost to Benoit Saint-Denis at UFC 329 last weekend.
Pimblett, 31, submitted the Frenchman inside 52 seconds of the pair's lightweight contest at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
The victory reignited Pimblett's pursuit of the ******* le following the Liverpudlian's defeat by Justin Gaethje for the interim belt in January.
Speaking after the win, which was his 24th in 28 fights, Pimblett revealed he had told his coach Paul Rimmer he would consider leaving the sport if he couldn't beat Saint-Denis.
"This fight camp wasn't easy. About four, five weeks ago I turned to Paul and said: 'If I don't win this fight, what's the point in fighting anymore? I might as well retire'," said Pimblett.

Conor McGregor is back. And there goes Conor McGregor.
Saturday’s UFC 329 main event failed to live up to the hype – an understatement, we know – with McGregor lasting just 69 seconds before an injury stopped his rematch with Max Holloway. This was McGregor’s first fight since 2021 and it’s difficult to imagine a worse scenario than what a packed house at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas witnessed.
Prior to that disappointment, several fighters put on star performances including Paddy Pimblett, Brandon Royval, Robert Whittaker, and Gable Steveson, but the fallout of the headliner is sure to cast a long shadow. The MMA Fighting crew hits the roundtable to discuss the biggest storylines coming out of UFC 329
Heck: All-time card – until that ***** bell rang in the main event.
Meshew: You got the full MMA experience: a great fight, a sick sub, some good finishes, one squash match, and hilarious disappointment.

LAS VEGAS – Paddy Pimblett is certain the UFC lightweight **** le is in his future.
Pimblett (24-4 MMA, 8-1 UFC) bounced back from his interim **** le loss to Justin Gaethje by making quick work of Benoit Saint Denis (18-3 MMA, 9-4 UFC) in the co-main event of UFC 329 at T-Mobile Arena. When asked what he'd like next, he didn't have a specific name in mind, but he made sure to voice his UFC championship ambitions.
"I want to be a world champion," Pimblett said at the UFC 329 post-fight press conference. "I want to be the undisputed champion of the world. I want to be the first-ever world champion from Liverpool, and I'm going to do that. I know that's in my destiny. I know it's in my fate. Whether it's the next fight or the next 10 fights, I'm going to be a world champion. It's that simple. If you want me to fight Justin (Gaethje) next, if you want me to fight posh boy (Arman Tsarukyan) next, if you want me to fight 'chorizo' (Ilia Topuria) next, if you want me to fight Charles (Oliveira) next, anyone can get it."
Pimblett entered UFC 329 as an underdog, and highly-doubted by many. For him, it's another day at the office, as he feels history repeats itself with him.
"Yeah, the goalposts will get moved," Pimblett said. "Everyone will say, 'Huh, BSD was sh*t anyway.' You know what I mean? When two days ago it was, 'BSD, he's going to smash Paddy. His grappling is way better. He's got too much power for him,' this and that. People just love moving the goalposts with me, and I don't give a f*ck. Move them all you want. As long as I keep winning, I keep getting paid and keep making steps toward being a world champion. You can say what you want. Anyone can say what they want about me. Simple."

UFC 329 was full of surprises on Saturday night, from the disastrous Conor McGregor comeback to Paddy Pimblett blowing through Benoit Saint Denis in less than one minute.
But before Pimblett stole the show in the co-main event, it was WNBA fan favorite Sophie Cunningham who generating buzz and trending on social media.
Cunningham, who became a star thanks to her role as Caitlin Clark's enforcer on the Indiana Fever, made an unexpected cameo as a UFC ring girl before the start of the co-main event. Cunningham walked around the Octagon to signal Round 1, and then dropped her viral finger point taunt.
MORE: Max Holloway, Sophie Cunningham recreate viral pointing memes after UFC 329
At the post-fight press conference, UFC boss Dana White explained how the Cunningham cameo came to fruition, saying it was a last-minute decision that was made on a whim "about eight minutes before she did it."

With her Sports Illustrated appearance and viral pointing meme, Indiana Fever star Sophie Cunningham has been everywhere lately.
She was seen Saturday night again, at the UFC 329 event.
Cunningham was the ring girl for the bout between Paddy Pimblett and Benoit Saint-Denis, where the Englishman walked away with a win by submission. Pimblett only took 52 seconds to prove his worth on the night.
Cunningham also posed for a picture with Max Holloway, where the pair hit their famous celebrations. Holloway was also declared the winner after Conor McGregor walked away with an injury.
McGregor immediately injured his knee going for a kick and was defeated by Holloway just over a minute into the fight.

Indiana Fever wing Sophie Cunningham gave a surprise performance as a ring girl at a UFC fight in Las Vegas on July 11. The fight was between Paddy Pimblett and Benoit Saint Denis was part of UFC 329 during UFC's International Fight Week.
Cunningham was ringside when she kicked off her shoes and made a quick lap around the ring for "octagon card duties." It was a short-lived stint as Saint Denis was choked unconscious in less than a minute, ending the fight in one round.
Cunningham is a Fever fan-favorite and soared to popularity as Caitlin Clark's enforcer, a role that landed her a famous flagrant foul and nearly a million social media followers last season.
She recently went viral again for a 22-second-long "point" at DeWanna Bonner during the June 22 game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The point also became a viral meme.
Cunningham is in Las Vegas this week, along with the rest of the Fever, for an upcoming match against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena at 9 p.m. July 12.

Indiana Fever wing Sophie Cunningham gave a surprise performance as a ring girl at a UFC fight in Las Vegas on July 11. The fight was between Paddy Pimblett and Benoit Saint Denis was part of UFC 329 during UFC's International Fight Week.
Cunningham was ringside when she kicked off her shoes and made a quick lap around the ring for "octagon card duties." It was a short-lived stint as Saint Denis was choked unconscious in less than a minute, ending the fight in one round.
Cunningham is a Fever fan-favorite and soared to popularity as Caitlin Clark's enforcer, a role that landed her a famous flagrant foul and nearly a million social media followers last season.
She recently went viral again for a 22-second-long "point" at DeWanna Bonner during the June 22 game at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. The point also became a viral meme.
Cunningham is in Las Vegas this week, along with the rest of the Fever, for an upcoming match against the Las Vegas Aces at Michelob ULTRA Arena at 9 p.m. July 12.

UFC 329’s co-main event in Las Vegas featured one of the top WNBA stars, Sophie Cunningham.
On most nights, Sophie Cunningham is seen playing basketball alongside Caitlin Clark on the Indiana Fever in the WNBA.
However, the 29-year-old basketball star recently made her debut at the UFC, but not as a fighter by any means.
UFC 329 featured a co-main event with Paddy Pimblett taking on Benoit Saint Denis at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.
While the fight ended quickly as Pimblett forced Saint Denis into submission in the first-round itself, Cunningham’s special role as a ring girl caught the eyes of many WNBA fans.

The return of Conor McGregor came and went in the blink of an eye. After only 69 seconds at UFC 329, the former two-division champion succumbed to his second straight loss via brutal leg injury.
To begin his rematch with Max Holloway on Saturday night in Las Vegas, McGregor rushed to the center of the Octagon and threw a jumping switch kick. He missed the mark, then threw another head kick and awkwardly fell to the floor. At that point, something seemed off about the Irishman as Holloway pursued the finish and secured it shortly thereafter, with McGregor noticeably hobbling in pain.
It was McGregor's first appearance in five years, following a gnarly leg break in his trilogy bout with Dustin Poirier at UFC 264 in July 2021. UFC CEO Dana White spoke to the media at UFC 329’s post-fight press conference and reacted to the disappointing conclusion to a card that broke the promotion’s record for highest-grossing gate.
"Everybody who knows anything about the fight business, it's been a big topic of discussion leading up to this fight: Five years off in this sport is rough," White said. "Great card. Unbelievable. The Paddy Pimblett thing right before. You just feel it all in the air. Here we go. I was expecting at least a one-round war. Who knew what Conor was capable of as far as cardio or whatever else after a five-year layoff? Well, there you go.
"We're ****** uming blown ACL. I'm not a doctor, but that's what I figured when I saw it, and doctors think the same thing too."