Published 02/17/2023, 11:45 AM PST
In the male-dominated world of MMA, it is not common for a woman to make history. However, Laura Sanko recently made headlines for achieving the same. The world listened to Sanko, the first female commentator in the modern UFC, at UFC Fight Night 218. Being the first female color commentator to call an official UFC event, the 40-year-old made sure that she created history. Since then, she has evolved as an inspiration to many women, both inside and outside the MMA world. However, her new responsibilities are keeping the UFC commentator very busy now.
LAS VEGAS, NV – AUGUST 07: UFC president Dana White is interviewed by Laura Sanko during Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series at the TUF Gym on August 7, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Chris Unger/DWTNCS LLC)
After her debut, Sanko has a lot of work waiting for her in the pipeline. UFC Vegas 69 is the first on the list. The event is scheduled to take place on February 18th at the Apex facility in Las Vegas, where Jessica Andrade and Erin Blanchfield will square off at the main event.
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Laura Sanko moving on to her next UFC Fight Night
Along with the female color commentator, the former UFC lightweight fighter Paul Felder will be joining in for the commentary duties. Along with these two, Brendan Fitzgerald will hold the position of a play-by-play announcer. The American sports reporter, Heidi Androl, is all set to manage the reporting job from Las Vegas. On several occasions, ‘Fancy’ has candidly talked about how her hard work took her to where she is today. Even though she has faced several hardships in her journey, Sanko is highly determined to cement her place in the promotion. Furthermore, she is least bothered by the criticism she had to face on social media.
LAS VEGAS, NV – JUNE 12: Backstage interviewer Laura Sanko poses for a photo during Dana White’s Tuesday Night Contender Series at the TUF Gym on June 12, 2018 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/DWTNCS LLC)
In her recent conversation with MMA Fighting; she once again made it clear that she was looking forward to working with more determination. Sanko said to MMA Fighting “I feel the responsibility of the new, more elevated role, and I think commentary in general is a big responsibility.”
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She continued “because at the end of the day, you are trying to connect the fighting art, that an athlete has poured their heart and soul into, to an audience that can’t see or feel or touch it in real time, and you’re the conduit to connect that art with the people at home, which sounds a little bit high and mighty, but it’s a big responsibility, and I take it really seriously, and I’m incredibly honored to be able to be in a position to do that for the men and women on the UFC roster.”
A woman as commentator after 30 long years
Prior to her debut at UFC Vegas 68, Sanko has talked to MMA news about her broadcasting career. She has openly talked about her feelings after achieving something huge. Sanko said how she felt it was an honor to follow the steps of American Kickboxer, Kathy Long. Long was the first female commentator in the promotion. However, it was for UFC 1 in 1993, long before the promotion evolved to its current state. Sanko deserves all the praise that comes her way for earning a place in today’s UFC.
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