Laura Sanko addresses unsavory rumors of her sleeping around to bag UFC color commentator spot
MMA analyst Laura Sanko is set to make her color commentary debut at the upcoming UFC Fight Night in Las Vegas.
However, the sportscaster's route to the commentary booth has been far from a cakewalk. In a recent media scrum, Sanko addressed many absurd rumors regarding how she landed the gig. The former fighter suggested that women get subjected to numerous baseless comments on their way to the top:
"I'm thankful that the reception has been soo warm [on her commentary debut]... You're always going to have detractors. I think women, in particular, get commented on in a particular way... On the way up there is a lot of questioning... I'll just say it, the number of people I've supposedly slept with is just endless."
She added:
"It's soo long and it would be exhausting if it was true. And I don't see other well-respected voices in the sport, you know, they don't get that, Brett Okamoto doesn't get that... So I hope, by being the first to go down this, can be a little bit of a gnarly path at times."
"The number of people I've supposedly slept with is endless."
Laura Sanko rejects any myths around getting her spot in the UFC commentary booth.
Full video: bit.ly/3l947NB https://t.co/S27FT2OQ99
Although this Saturday's UFC Vegas 68 will be Laura Sanko's first time calling official UFC fights, she has previously commentated on Dana White's Contender Series.
Sanko will become the second-ever female commentator in UFC history after former kickboxing champion Kathy Long called the inaugural event back in 1993.
Since we’re discussing Laura Sanko’s commentary debut...Here is a picture of Kathy Long. She is the only other woman to perform commentary duties for the UFC. She had a successful kickboxing career and provided valuable insight to the broadcast. #UFC1 https://t.co/W4fFBTPIPs
Top UFC executives on on Laura Sanko's commentary debut
In a recent statement released by the UFC, many of the promotion's top executives heaped praise on Laura Sanko ahead of her much-awaited color commentary debut.
The promotion's president, Dana White, said that he couldn't think of a more deserving candidate to be the first female commentator in the UFC's modern era:
"I can’t think of anyone better to be the first female color commentator for the modern UFC era than Laura. She has worked incredibly hard to prove herself and get to this position and I couldn’t be prouder to have her calling the action."
The UFC's VP & Coordinating Producer Zach Candito lauded Sanko's enthusiasm and incredible work ethic, and guaranteed that the former fighter will be a great addition to the UFC broadcast:
"Laura brings passion, enthusiasm, and an undeniable work ethic to all of her roles with the UFC. There is no doubt she’ll do the same in this elevated opportunity as the first-ever female color commentator at the UFC during the Zuffa era. We are thrilled to add her to our talented stable of commentators and her expert analysis promises to be a great addition to UFC broadcasts moving forward."
Before switching her focus to sportscasting, Sanko competed as a fighter on the American regional scene. She holds an amateur record of 4-1, and her lone professional bout came against Cassie Robb at Invicta FC 4, which she won via second-round submission.
Watch Laura Sanko's rise below: