Meet glamorous former pro MMA fighter Laura Sanko, who is set to make UFC history for the SECOND time when octagon action comes to Sydney

UFC broadcaster Laura Sanko will make history when UFC 293 arrives in Sydney on Sunday by becoming the first female color commentator to call out a UFC pay-per-view in the organization’s modern era.

The former professional MMA fighter, 40, has been part of UFC broadcasts since 2016 – working as a behind-the-scenes reporter and working with Dana White’s Contender Series commentary team.

Sanko called her first official event earlier this year at Fight Night 281 in Las Vegas and says it is a “dream come true” to work as a color commentator for a Sydney pay-per-view event.

“I’m honored to join the UFC 293 commentary team alongside @jon_anik and @dc_mma,” she wrote on Twitter Tuesday morning.

‘A dream becomes true. Before becoming an MMA analyst or competitor, I was a fan, as were most of you reading this.

Host Laura Sanko will make her pay-per-view debut at UFC 293 in Sydney on Sunday

Sanko, a former MMA pro, has been part of UFC broadcasts since 2016

“Nearly 20 years later, I’m here and excited to be a small part in connecting our incredible fan base to the martial arts of these amazing athletes.” See you in Sydney!’

Sanko will join lead commentator Jon Anik of Cageside and UFC Hall of Famer and former two-division champion Daniel Cormier.

Megan Olivi will assist as a reporter at the event, while former UFC star Din Thomas will be present throughout the day as a fight analyst.

Sanko made his pro fighter debut at Invicta FC 4 in 2013 against Cassie Rob and won via submission in the second round.

Shortly after, she quit fighting for family reasons, before later returning to the scene to interview fighters.

UFC boss Dana White spoke about how happy he is that Sanko called her first official event in Las Vegas earlier this year.

“I can’t think of anyone better than Laura to be the first female color commentator of the modern UFC era,” White said. “She worked incredibly hard to prove herself and get to this position and I couldn’t be prouder that she made the decision.”

In 2022, Sanko slammed critics who claimed she only got her job because of her looks.

Sanko said joining the UFC 293 broadcast team is a dream come true

Sanko debuted as a professional fighter in 2013 but quit shortly after for personal reasons

“There’s a whole bunch of people out there who think I got this job in an awkward and scandalous way,” Sanko said on Blockasset’s BLOCK Party podcast.

“I can assure you it didn’t happen that way.”

“But it helps that the people sitting next to me — the Anthony Smiths of the world, the Rashad Evans’s of the world, the Michael Bispings, the Paul Felders, the Daniel Cormiers — I think can sense that they have some respect for.” me and therefore also for the fans.

“I really owe a lot to my male colleagues for securing me a seat at the table.”