Fighter comically breaks down Sophie Cunningham’s foul like it belongs in the Octagon

The fight instigated by Sophie Cunningham during the Fever's game against the Sun June 18 is still getting plenty of attention from fans. This is especially true on social media, where plenty of people have offered their take on what happened. But few have been a funny (or unique) as Australian grappler and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt competitor and coach Adele Fornarino, who shared a video in which she broke down Cunningham's moves as if the Fever guard belongs in the UFC Octagon.

Fornarino posted her video via Instagram on Saturday with the caption, "Do WNBA players need some wrestling practice?" The video was also shared on X.

In the video, Fornarino explains exactly how she would have gone at Jacy Sheldon if she were Cunningham. After noting that Cunningham first gained control of Sheldon's head by grabbing her around the shoulders, Fornarino said she would have then find a collar tie position and flip Sheldon upside down the floor. In reality, Cunningham pushed back against Sheldon, which prompted her to return fire.

Sophie Cunningham has a background in martial arts

The advice is perhaps more helpful than it would be for another player — Cunningham is a black belt in Taekwondo, a feat she achieved at age 6, so she would probably have an appreciation for Fornarino's feedback that another player might not. Following the fight, Max Preps reported Cunningham grew up having "bloody" fights with her sister, Lindsey, so it doesn't seem like this kind of physical dispute is exactly new for her.

Taekwondo wasn't the only sport Cunningham engaged in — in high school, she filled in as kicker for the school's football team.

Cunningham's popularity is through the roof

Cunningham might have had to pay a $400 fine for instigating the fight with Sheldon, but she's received benefits from the moment in otherwise. Her TikTok following, which previously sat at 300,000, has shot up to over 1 million June 19, and many are now referring to Cunningham as the second most popular player in the league.

Last season many Fever fans wanted an enforcer who could protect Caitlin Clark on the floor, and it appears the team now definitely has one in Cunningham. Though Cunningham wasn't on the list of top 10 players in terms of fan-based All-Star voting this month, it will likely surprise no one if she rockets up the list of names by the name voting ends June 28.