Jon Anik is all for Laura Sanko calling UFC fights beside him one day.
Sanko, who has worked as one of the UFC’s backstage reporters, the lead backstage reporter and ring announcer for Dana White’s Contender Series, and an Invicta FC color commentator, voiced her interest in the position when she spoke with MMA Junkie in September.
If the promotion granted her the opportunity, she would become the first woman to call UFC fights as an octagonside commentator.
Anik, who has served as the UFC’s lead play-by-play man for more than four years, is a major supporter of the idea – and has sung Sanko’s praises when given the opportunity.
“She and I have talked about it,” Anik said, in a recent interview with MMA Junkie Radio. “I’ve certainly put her over for other UFC opportunities. My bosses don’t look to me for advice on how to structure the talent, but I think they know that she has a big fan in me. I certainly would love to see her on my right at some point hopefully in the not-so-distant future.”
Anik shook off any notion Sanko’s lone professional fight wouldn’t be enough experience for her to earn the position. Even if that was a red flag, Anik said Sanko has proven her talents only begin with her in-cage experience.
“I remember Brian Stann, who won a WEC championship, often used to worry that his fight credentials, as silly as this sounds, wouldn’t stack up to maybe Kenny Florian, who had fought for the belt three times, or DC, who obviously realized titles in a couple of divisions when Stann had a major title at home,” Anik said. “I think, for Laura, the only thing working against her would be her limited professional fight experience. But not only has she fought, is she a good analytical mind, she’s (also) comedic. I think she brings a lot to the table from a personality standpoint.”
Anik explained he’s spoken to Sanko about her hopes to one day commentate fights on the same team – and has given her advice on the topic. The biggest piece of knowledge Anik lent her, he revealed, was that it only takes one opportunity to prove your worth.
“I have two daughters and love women and would be all for Laura getting that opportunity,” Anik said. “I don’t know if it’ll be 2021, but I do think that eventually, she’s going to get her shot. What I really have said to her repeatedly, and she’ll tell you this, ‘All you need is your shot.’ I think all she needs is one broadcast with us and she would have a seat in the future, for sure.”
Jon Anik endorses Laura Sanko for UFC cageside commentary: ‘All you need is your shot’