Laura Sanko to make UFC color commentary debut at UFC Fight Night 218

Laura Sanko will make history at UFC Fight Night 218 as a part of the commentary team.

The promotion announced in a press release that Sanko will make her official UFC color commentary debut at UFC Fight Night 218, which takes place Feb. 4 at UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

Sanko will become the first female color commentator in the modern UFC era to call an official UFC event.

“Taking the next step to join the UFC commentary team has been a goal of mine since I began my broadcast career,” Laura Sanko said in the 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.”

Since 2016, Sanko has been a part of UFC broadcasts, initially working as a backstage reporter before joining the commentary team on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2017.

“I can’t think of anyone better to be the first female color commentator for the modern UFC era than Laura,” UFC President Dana White said in the release. “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.”

On DWCS broadcasts, Sanko did a little of everything, from commentating fights, interviewing winning fighters, to announcing contract winners alongside White. Now, she will realize the goal she set out to accomplish in 2022.

“Laura brings passion, enthusiasm and an undeniable work ethic to all of her roles with the UFC,” UFC Vice President & Coordinating Producer Zach Candito said in the release. “There is no doubt she’ll do the same in this elevated opportunity as the first-ever female color commentator at the UFC during the Zuffa era. We are thrilled to add her to our talented stable of commentators and her expert analysis promises to be a great addition to UFC broadcasts moving forward.”