What Nationality is Laura Sanko?

Last Modified Dec 31, 2024 06:52 GMT
Dana White's Contender Series Season 6 Week 5
Laura Sanko [Image via Getty Images]

Laura Sanko, also called ‘Fancy,’ is a commentator who works for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). In 2021, she made history by being the first female commentator in modern UFC history. Sanko, who previously had a career as an MMA fighter in the atomweight division with a record of 1 win and 0 losses, made a seamless transition into the world of broadcasting. She initially joined Invicta FC as a broadcaster and later moved to the UFC in 2016.

Sanko’s big break came when she was promoted from a color commentator on Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS) to being part of the main commentary team of a UFC Fight Night event in 2023.

What Nationality is Laura Sanko?

Laura Sanko is of American nationality. Sanko was born in a Christian household on December 7, 1982, in Chicago, Illinois. She is currently 40 years of age. Before being married to Nathan Sanko, Laura Sanko used to go by the name Laura Marcusse. She also had a brother named Steve Marcusse.

While attending Kansas City Christian School for her high school education, Laura Sanko was actively involved in sports and also pursued karate training. Her academic journey took a different turn when she enrolled at William Jewell College in 2001, where she switched her major from piano performance to business administration. In 2005, Laura began her career at Fleishman Hillard Inc. and quickly rose through the ranks to become the company's youngest senior account executive.

Where was Laura Sanko Born?

Sanko was born on December 7, 1982, in Chicago, Illinois, in the United States.

After being born in Chicago, Sanko and her family moved to Kansas City as her father had obtained a new job. It was here where Sanko’s entrepreneurial spirit was ignited. This drive led her to become part of a startup that pitched business concepts to potential investors, with a focus on a diamond jewelry rental business. Subsequently, she made the decision to venture into her own business, which revolved around the production and sale of grass-fed beef.

Laura Sanko at UFC 293

Laura Sanko made history as she became the first female fighter ever to commentate a UFC PPV event at Qudos Bank Arena in Sydney for UFC 293. Since making her UFC commentary debut at a UFC Fight Night event in January, Laura Sanko has quickly established herself as a leading commentator within the company.

Laura Sanko’s MMA Career

Laura Sanko's amateur fighting career began with a victory over Amanda Hein in her debut, where she secured a second-round TKO via submission through punches. Following this initial win, Sanko experienced a setback when she lost to Leslie Lockwood in her second amateur bout. However, she bounced back with three consecutive wins against Emily Reed, Kyla Potter, and Nadia Nixon before transitioning to professional fighting. Notably, her defeat to Lockwood in October 2010 remains the sole loss in her fighting career.

Also Read: Does Laura Sanko have kids?

FAQs On What Nationality is Laura Sanko?

A. Laura Sanko is a commentator who works for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She made her UFC PPV commentary debut at UFC 293: Adesanya vs. Strickland on September 10, 2023.

A. Laura Sanko is 40 years old in 2023. She was born on December 7, 1982, in Chicago, Illinois.

A. Laura Sanko is of Caucasian ethnicity.

A. Laura Sanko holds an MMA record of only 1 win in 1 fight (1-0). She moved on from fighting to commentating at MMA events.

A. Laura Sanko is married to her entrepreneur husband, Nathan Sanko. The two tied the knot in 2012.

Related Stories

Jonathan Haggerty beams with pride as brother Freddie Haggerty carves his own path in ONE Championship: “He’s smashing it so far” Jonathan Haggerty beams with pride as brother Freddie Haggerty carves his own path in ONE Championship: “He’s smashing it so far”
Jonathan Haggerty beams with pride as brother Freddie Haggerty carves his own path in ONE Championship: “He’s smashing it so far” 
1d
“I have to be at my best” - Jonathan Haggerty leaving ‘no stone unturned’ for Wei Rui clash at ONE 171: Qatar “I have to be at my best” - Jonathan Haggerty leaving ‘no stone unturned’ for Wei Rui clash at ONE 171: Qatar
“I have to be at my best” - Jonathan Haggerty leaving ‘no stone unturned’ for Wei Rui clash at ONE 171: Qatar
Jonathan Haggerty admits “there’s a lot of pressure” to defend bantamweight kickboxing throne against Wei Rui at ONE 171 Jonathan Haggerty admits “there’s a lot of pressure” to defend bantamweight kickboxing throne against Wei Rui at ONE 171
Jonathan Haggerty admits “there’s a lot of pressure” to defend bantamweight kickboxing throne against Wei Rui at ONE 171
1d
Aung La N Sang not looking past 'big problem' Shamil Erdogan as he seeks to reclaim ONE gold: "We'd make plans after" Aung La N Sang not looking past 'big problem' Shamil Erdogan as he seeks to reclaim ONE gold: "We'd make plans after"
Aung La N Sang not looking past 'big problem' Shamil Erdogan as he seeks to reclaim ONE gold: "We'd make plans after" 
“I did a lot of homework” - Wei Rui breaks down his advantages over Jonathan Haggerty ahead of their world title clash “I did a lot of homework” - Wei Rui breaks down his advantages over Jonathan Haggerty ahead of their world title clash
“I did a lot of homework” - Wei Rui breaks down his advantages over Jonathan Haggerty ahead of their world title clash 
“We helped build up the division” - Bibiano Fernandes targets decisive victory against familiar rival Kevin Belingon in Qatar “We helped build up the division” - Bibiano Fernandes targets decisive victory against familiar rival Kevin Belingon in Qatar
“We helped build up the division” - Bibiano Fernandes targets decisive victory against familiar rival Kevin Belingon in Qatar
1d
WATCH: Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at ONE 171’s loaded fight week in Qatar WATCH: Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at ONE 171’s loaded fight week in Qatar
WATCH: Get an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at ONE 171’s loaded fight week in Qatar
Scottish slugger Nico Carrillo aims for a quick turnaround to put Nabil Anane defeat to bed: “I need to rewrite this wrong” Scottish slugger Nico Carrillo aims for a quick turnaround to put Nabil Anane defeat to bed: “I need to rewrite this wrong”
Scottish slugger Nico Carrillo aims for a quick turnaround to put Nabil Anane defeat to bed: “I need to rewrite this wrong”
"This is torture and cute" - Jonathan Haggerty fights the urge to indulge himself with birthday sweets ahead of ONE 171 weigh-ins "This is torture and cute" - Jonathan Haggerty fights the urge to indulge himself with birthday sweets ahead of ONE 171 weigh-ins
"This is torture and cute" - Jonathan Haggerty fights the urge to indulge himself with birthday sweets ahead of ONE 171 weigh-ins
Michael Chandler bewildered by "interesting timing for a drug test": "Fight date must be coming SOON" [VIDEO] Michael Chandler bewildered by "interesting timing for a drug test": "Fight date must be coming SOON" [VIDEO]
Michael Chandler bewildered by "interesting timing for a drug test": "Fight date must be coming SOON" [VIDEO]
1d
Sportskeeda logo
Close menu
WWE
WWE
NBA
NBA
NFL
NFL
MMA
MMA
Tennis
Tennis
NHL
NHL
Golf
Golf
MLB
MLB
Soccer
Soccer
F1
F1
WNBA
WNBA
More
More
bell-icon Manage notifications