Legendary tennis star hails Laura Sanko on becoming the first woman in UFC's modern era to provide color commentary

Tennis legend Billie Jean King has hailed Laura Sanko for being the first woman to provide color commentary in the UFC's modern era.

Sanko will make history on February 4 by becoming the first woman in the UFC's modern era - and the second woman in UFC history - to provide color commentary for an event at UFC Vegas 68.

Sanko did color commentary for Invicta FC in 2014 before moving to the premier MMA promotion of the world. She debuted as a backstage reporter in 2016 and has since been a permanent fixture in the UFC's broadcasting team.

King retweeted a post by Sports Business Journal celebrating Laura Sanko as the first woman to provide color commentary in the UFC's modern era. The first woman to provide commentary for the organization was Kathy Long at UFC 1.

The tennis legend wrote:

"Cheers to @laura_sanko who on February 4 will make history, as she becomes the first woman in @ufc's modern era to provide color commentary for a fight."

Billie Jean King won 39 major titles (12 singles, 16 women's doubles, 11 mixed doubles) in tennis. As part of team USA, King had victories in seven Federation Cups and nine Wightman Cups.

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Laura Sanko's brief MMA career

Laura Sanko has such a good understanding of the fight game because she spent time competing for a brief period of three years between 2010 and 2013. Prior to switching to broadcast, Sanko - who went by the fight moniker 'Fancy' - forged a successful amateur career before fighting her first and only professional bout.

Sanko fought as an amateur between 2010 and 2012, amassing a record of 4-1. She made her professional debut in 2013 at Invicta FC 4 against Cassie Robb. Sanko ended up winning the bout via submission due to a rear-naked choke in the second round.

She was supposed to face Livia von Plettenberg in her next bout the same year, but the bout was canceled as Sanko had to retire from fighting due to family issues. She made her comeback in MMA as a color commentator for Invicta FC before being recruited by the UFC in 2016.

Laura Sanko worked as a backstage reporter in the UFC before becoming a commentator on Dana White's Contender Series in 2021, where she also interviewed the winning fighters and announced the contract winners alongside company president Dana White.

The former fighter-turned-media personality will make her color commentary debut for a promotional event at UFC Vegas 68: Derrick Lewis vs. Sergei Spivak. Sanko posted the following about the event:

"Thank you very much for all the support. You guys are amazing. And, thank you, @ufc for this incredible opportunity. I'm truly honored."