Getty/UFC
Laura
Sanko is set to become the first female commentator on a UFC
broadcast during the Zuffa era when she joins the booth on Saturday
night.
The promotion announced Monday that Sanko will be on the call for
UFC Fight Night 218 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Sanko has
previously worked as a reporter and analyst for the UFC while also
doing commentary for Dana White’s Contender Series. She previously
did broadcast work for Invicta FC.
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“Taking the next step to join the UFC commentary team has been a
goal of mine since I began my broadcast career,” Sanko said in a
release. “It is an honor to walk in the footprint of Kathy Long 30
years after her appearance on UFC 1. I consider it a true privilege
to be part of the team that is a voice to our incredible fans,
communicating the fighting art of each man and woman who steps
inside the UFC Octagon.”
The aforementioned Long, a former kickboxing champion, called the
UFC’s first-ever event in 1993, and is the only other female to do
commentary for the promotion.
“I can’t think of anyone better to be the first female color
commentator for the modern UFC era than Laura,” UFC resident Dana
White said. “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.”
UFC Fight Night 218 is headlined by a heavyweight clash between
Derrick
Lewis and Sergey
Spivak. The main card airs on ESPN+ at 1 a.m. ET/10 p.m. PT,
while prelims stream on ESPN+ beginning at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.