Laura Sanko
American sports commentator
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Laura Marcusse-Sanko[1] (born December 7, 1982) is an American color commentator and sports analyst for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).[2][3][4] Sanko is also a former mixed martial artist who competed in Invicta Fighting Championships,[5][6] and a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu.[7]
December 7, 1982
Mixed martial artist
Laura Sanko | |
|---|---|
| Born | Laura Marcusse December 7, 1982 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Other names | Fancy |
| Education | William Jewell College |
| Occupations | Color commentator Mixed martial artist |
Background
Sanko adopted the nickname "Fancy" during her brief fighting career after an acquaintance told her she was too fancy to actually fight, rather than just train in mixed martial arts.[8]
In 2021, Sanko became the first female commentator to work on a broadcast in the Zuffa or Endeavor era of the UFC when she provided color commentary for the Dana White's Contender Series season 5.[9]
In January 2023, Sanko became the first female color commentator to appear on a UFC broadcast since Kathy Long at UFC 1 in 1993 when she joined the broadcast booth at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Spivac.[10] This made her the first female color commentator in the modern UFC era to call an event from the booth.[11] On September 10, 2023, Sanko made her UFC pay-per-view commentary debut at UFC 293.[12]
Mixed martial arts record
| 1 match | 1 win | 0 losses |
| By submission | 1 | 0 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 1–0 | Cassie Robb | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Invicta FC 4: Esparza vs. Hyatt | January 5, 2013 | 2 | 1:07 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | Atomweight debut. |