Special to Sports News Highlights

(SNH) — Laura Sanko continues to make strides as a UFC color commentator.

Last year, 2023, marked the 30th anniversary of the UFC and the sport of mixed martial arts in the United States, and Laura Sanko added to her legacy by becoming the first female broadcaster since UFC 1’s Kathy Long.

However, 1993 was the last time a female broadcaster would be cage-side at UFC events, as Kerri Kasem, Kendra (Perez) Swanson, Megan Olivi and Karyn Bryant all hosted or moderated UFC-related programs in an analytical role. Sanko has since thrived in that position before transitioning to color commentary for several events afterward, continuing to this day.

Stepping into the UFC in 2017, Sanko’s journey was far from ordinary. After honing her skills in the LFA and Invicta, she found her niche as a color commentator. Her unique path allowed her to interview some of the biggest names in the sport, including bantamweight champion Sean O’Malley, Phil Hawes and Jamie Pickett.

Since her debut, Sanko has become integral to pre- and post-fight UFC programming. Her in-depth analysis, backed by her experience as an ex-MMA fighter, has set her apart. UFC president Dana White has recognized her contributions to the sport, further solidifying her place in the UFC.

White, who has been company president since February 2001, has seen the growth and evolution of modern-day MMA, as Sanko’s presence on color commentary represents how far the sport has come, he said.

“This was her destiny. She has been an absolute savage since the day she walked in here, pushing for this hard,” White said following her first broadcast. “Tonight was her big night; she delivered. I had tons of people texting me talking about what a great job she did tonight, and I'm happy for her."

Sanko also felt the love and support from UFC fans worldwide and complimented everyone around her for making her a better broadcaster overall.

“Being elevated to this new UFC Fight Night role is exciting for many reasons,” Sanko told Awful Announcing at the time. “Like most people in business, I set short-term and long-term goals. And being able to serve as the color commentator for a UFC card felt so distant when I started. But with each step in my career, I realized it was obtainable.  So, there is something very surreal about achieving a goal and a reset that comes with adjusting your mindset from this goal to now being a reality.  I can point to hard work and know passion and skillset pay off. And that can help me create new goals for myself, both in the short and long term.”

Sanko has since been involved in several high-profile UFC events, including UFC St. Louis in May, the highest-grossing “Fight Night” event in promotional history, and “Road to UFC,” a yearly series that helps find the next crop of international talent.

Nevertheless, Sanko’s impact on MMA continues to be felt, and it’s safe to assume she is part of the sport’s landscape for years to come.

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