Laura Marcusse-Sanko[1] (born December 7, 1982) is an American mixed martial arts commentator who currently works for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).[2][3][4] and former mixed martial artist. She competed in Invicta Fighting Championships.[5][6]
Laura Sanko | |
|---|---|
| Born | Laura Marcusse December 7, 1982 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Other names | Fancy |
| Education | William Jewell College |
| Occupation(s) | Mixed martial arts commentator Mix martial artist |
Background
editSanko 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.[7]
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.[8]
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.[9] This made her the first female color commentator in the modern UFC era to call an event from the booth.[10] On September 10, 2023, Sanko made her UFC pay-per-view commentary debut at UFC 293.[11]
Mixed martial arts record
edit| 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. |
References
edit- ^ "Laura Sanko ("Fancy") | MMA Fighter Page". Tapology. Retrieved 2024-10-04.
- ^ Barrasso, Justin (February 3, 2023). "Laura Sanko Set to Make UFC Broadcast Debut". Sports Illustrated.
- ^ TSN ca Staff (January 30, 2023). "Sanko to be first female colour commentator in UFC's modern era - TSN.ca". TSN.
- ^ Martin, Damon (February 16, 2023). "Laura Sanko returns to the broadcast booth to call UFC Vegas 69". MMA Fighting.
- ^ "Fight Path: Invicta FC's Laura Sanko, an entrepreneur and closet badass". January 25, 2013.
- ^ Martin, David St (May 13, 2013). "Pregnancy forces Laura Sanko off Invicta FC 6 card". Bloody Elbow.
- ^ "Laura Sanko Explains Origins of "Fancy" Nickname, Discusses "Very Special Year" in Her Career". December 14, 2021.
- ^ Gonzalez, Gabriel (August 31, 2021). "Laura Sanko Makes History in Commentating Debut at Contender Series". Cageside Press.
- ^ Anderson, Jay (January 20, 2023). "Laura Sanko to Make UFC Color Commentary Debut at UFC Vegas 68". Cageside Press.
- ^ Staff (2023-01-30). "Laura Sanko to make UFC color commentary debut at UFC Fight Night 218". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 2023-01-30.
- ^ "UFC 293 commentary team, broadcast plans set: Laura Sanko makes pay-per-view commentating debut". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. 2023-09-04. Retrieved 2023-09-10.
- ^ "Laura". Sherdog. Retrieved 2023-02-24.