‘Historic Milestone Achieved’ – Laura Sanko’s Reaction to UFC 293 Commentary Gig
UFC commentary teams often spark debates among fans, with changes and new additions being met with mixed reactions. However, Laura Sanko, a former fighter, has managed to win over MMA enthusiasts since becoming the first female commentator of the modern era on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2021.
Her groundbreaking role was met with widespread praise, leading to her UFC Fight Night debut earlier this year. This Saturday, she is set to elevate her position, fulfilling a desire fans have held since her outstanding work on DWCS.
Sanko Joins Anik & Cormier for UFC 293 Laura Sanko’s ascent in the commentary world is reminiscent of Jon Anik’s journey, who earned acclaim as one of the best play-by-play commentators years after his debut. Sanko, in many ways, has become the fans’ choice since her UFC introduction two years ago, and now she’s finally getting her chance on the grand stage.
At UFC 293 in Sydney, Australia, this Saturday, Sanko will join regular PPV commentators Jon Anik and Daniel Cormier. With Joe Rogan typically absent from overseas events at this stage in his career, his role has often been filled by figures like Paul Felder and Michael Bisping.
Sanko expressed her excitement about this opportunity on social media, describing Saturday’s event as a “dream come true” and highlighting her journey from being an MMA fan to a commentator and analyst.
“I’m honored to join the commentary team for UFC 293 alongside @Jon_Anik and @dc_mma. Dream come true. Before I was an mma analyst or competitor, I was a fan just like most of you reading this. Almost 20 years later, I’m here and excited to be a small part of connecting our incredible fanbase to the fighting art of these amazing athletes. See you in Sydney! #UFC293”
When did Laura Sanko make her commentary debut?
UFC had officially announced that Laura Sanko, a seasoned analyst, Octagon side reporter, and Dana White’s Contender Series commentator, broke new ground by making her debut as a color commentator on February 4, 2023, during UFC FIGHT NIGHT: LEWIS vs SPIVAC.
Sanko’s journey in the UFC had started in 2016 as a backstage reporter for UFC on Fox, and she later joined the inaugural season of Dana White’s Contender Series in the same role in 2017. Over the years, she had ascended the ranks, becoming an analyst and reporter for UFC on ESPN. Her dedication and expertise had paved the way for her to become the first female color commentator in the Zuffa era to grace an official UFC broadcast.
Excited about this milestone, Sanko had expressed, “Taking the next step to join the UFC commentary team had been a goal of mine since I began my broadcast career.” She had acknowledged the honor of following in the footsteps of Kathy Long, who appeared on UFC 1, and had highlighted her privilege in being the voice that connected fans to the fighting artistry of UFC athletes.
UFC President Dana White had commended Sanko’s hard work and dedication, recognizing her as the perfect choice for the role. UFC Vice President & Coordinating Producer Zach Candito had emphasized Sanko’s passion, enthusiasm, and work ethic, predicting her expert analysis would be a valuable addition to UFC broadcasts.
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