Laura Sanko, a well-known commentator for the UFC, has recently shared insights into her brief career as a professional fighter.
Before becoming a prominent voice in MMA broadcasting, Sanko, now 42, had a record of 6 wins and 1 loss in amateur Mixed Martial Arts. This success led her to turn pro, signing with Invicta FC in 2013.
Her professional debut saw her victorious against Cassie Robb, securing a win by rear-naked choke in the second round.
Despite this win and believing in her potential in a UFC atomweight division, Sanko never competed again. She has become a celebrated figure in MMA commentary instead.
Laura Sanko on Her Single MMA Fight
In the years since her debut, Sanko has become a respected and leading voice in MMA broadcasting. She stands out as the only woman currently providing commentary for UFC events. This has naturally led to questions about what might have been had she pursued fighting more seriously.
Speaking with Eric Nicksick, formerly a coach to Sean Strickland, Sanko delved into the reasoning behind her short fight career.
Addressing whether a lack of suitable opponents played a role in her retirement, Sanko acknowledged it was partially a factor initially. However, she clarified that Invicta FC was actively working to find opponents and had a roster of capable atomweight fighters.
Sanko explained that fighting for Invicta FC represented the peak for atomweight fighters at the time. She recognized this and aimed to maximize her opportunity there, rather than seeking fame or fortune, which she felt were unrealistic goals in women`s MMA during that period.
Sanko Reminisces About Discovering Charles Oliveira
Looking back to her training days over a decade ago with Plinio Cruz, who later coached UFC star Alex Pereira, Sanko recounted an early encounter with Charles Oliveira.
She shared an anecdote about Cruz pointing out a young, unassuming Oliveira in a training session at Macaco’s Gold Team, predicting his future championship success. Sanko admitted she was initially skeptical of Cruz`s high praise for the then-unknown fighter.
“Funny story,” Sanko began.
“I remember he was teaching at a gym in the city, but he was part of Macaco’s Gold Team system in New Jersey where all the Brazilians lived so every once in a while, he’d be like ‘Hey, we’re going to take a group and we’re going to go train at Macaco’s this weekend, so come take a train with us and go out there’.
“And I remember one time, we went out there and he was like ‘Do you see that kid in the corner there? That kid, that kid is going to be champion one day’… I look over, and there’s this skinny, dorky, coke-bottle glasses kid sitting there and I’m like ‘Okay, sure, looks like it’.”
