The Path of Laura Sanko's MMA Career

  Laura Sanko made history on Saturday night as she became the first female color commentator at UFC in its modern era, joining John Gooden and former middleweight champion Michael Bisping to cover Dana White's Contender Series event in Las Vegas. Sanko's ultimate aim is to join Jon Anik and Joe Rogan at major UFC events as cageside commentators - however, her journey has been anything but smooth. 1. Fight Career Laura Sanko is making history in mixed martial arts by making history herself: as the first female color commentator for UFC! Sanko hopes her success can inspire other female fighters in MMA to work hard as she hopes her journey inspires other female competitors as well. 39-year-old Sherielah Lee hails from a family that supported her interests. As an amateur fighter she competed in several amateur competitions and even won one professional fight at Invicta FC 4. However, after retiring her gloves she switched careers into broadcasting. She began as the first female backstage reporter and interviewer at Invicta FC before making the transition to UFC in 2016. Since then, she has taken on various roles such as host, desk analyst and match commentator. As well as commentating for UFC bouts, she also appears on various podcasts and is an entrepreneur. With an enormous social media following and good income coming in from her profession, her net worth is estimated at an estimated $2.5 Million. Former MMA competitor Sarah Osaka has long been beloved among fight fans. Known for her exceptional microphone skills and strong character, Osaka is revered by her peers and serves as an inspiration to women competing in combat sports. Laura Sanko remains true to her roots despite her success and still trains at least once each week. Additionally, she tries to spend as much time as possible with her family - especially her young daughter whom she strives to spend as much time with as possible while continually searching for ways to hone her craft. Although some may question her career in MMA, she remains confident of its continued success. Currently working towards becoming a full-time commentator she hopes this goal can be reached soon. Though she hasn't competed since 2021, she continues to expand as an MMA journalist and recently began writing weekly columns for The Ring magazine. These columns address current developments within MMA as well as giving advice to aspiring journalists and coaches looking for success in this sport. According to her philosophy, success lies in being true to oneself while never giving up. 2. Journalism Laura Sanko has worked diligently to become one of the premier MMA commentators on TV, becoming the first woman in Zuffa's era to call a UFC match as color commentator. Her background as a fighter allows her to provide added insight and depth when commentating, though this doesn't protect her from criticism over her looks or gender. Sanko has made her mark in the industry as a reporter, host, and analyst for both Invicta FC and Legacy Fighting Alliance as well as reporting for UFC events on weigh-in shows. Additionally, she's established herself with Invicta FC. From 2010 to 2012, she competed as an amateur MMA competitor and won one professional fight at Invicta FC 4 in 2013. However, due to family reasons she decided to stop fighting. Still passionate about combat sports she started interviewing fighters for local promotions before eventually transitioning into being an analyst on broadcast teams before ultimately joining their broadcast teams as broadcast team broadcaster. Sanko has become an indispensable member of MMA coverage on ESPN, FOX and international networks such as Sky Sports. She works with numerous MMA radio shows as a correspondent; interviewing some of the biggest names in MMA along the way. With an enormous social media following and regular podcast appearances to expand her reach even further. Sanko has taken aim at critics who allege she landed her UFC job solely due to her looks, specifically on Blockasset's BLOCK party podcast where she addressed this topic and claimed there is "an entire contingent who suspect I got my job through some untoward or scandalous means." Sanko enjoys a luxurious lifestyle and makes an impressive income as a UFC reporter and MMA analyst. She credits her success to her family - especially her husband and young son - who live together on their 150-acre Kansas ranch where they spend much of their time outdoors or working their property. Sanko doesn't share too much about herself on social media but frequently credits them for supporting her endeavors. 3. Broadcasting Laura Sanko has quickly made herself known in the MMA world, becoming one of the leading female reporters, hosts, and analysts in MMA. Beginning her broadcast career as an in-cage interviewer for Invicta Fighting Championships before transitioning into pre- and post-fight shows with UFC before moving into color commentating for Dana White's Contender Series - eventually earning her an official UFC fight night broadcast slot - Laura has quickly established herself in her field. After months of hard training and preparation, Sanko made her professional MMA debut on January 5, 2013. Cassie Robb was her opponent and Sanko won via submission. Since then she has taken to broadcasting MMA events. Sanko has become a frequent presence on UFC's pre- and post-fight show, serving both as an in-cage interviewer as well as backstage reporter. She has appeared on a number of podcasts as an interviewer as well as building up over 300,000 followers on Instagram alone! Additionally, her reporting and broadcasting work allows her to supplement her income with brand promotions on social media platforms like Snapchat. Recently, she attacked critics who believe that she only secured her UFC gig due to her looks; this point was made during an appearance on Blockasset's BLOCK Party Podcast. Sanko has an intense drive to succeed, wanting more women in her sport while constantly striving to prove herself as one. Her drive was recognized by other athletes; many reached out after she became the first woman ever to call a UFC fight, thanking her and calling it an inspiration. 4. Interviewing Laura Sanko has become one of the key analysts on UFC's roster, from her personality on weigh-in shows and tactical analysis for every event covered to her presence on weigh-in shows and weigh-in shows herself. While Laura understands her sport extremely well, that doesn't protect her from social media keyboard warriors who plague this sport today; in an interview on Blockasset Podcast she recently discussed this challenge with me personally. Sanko first made her mark calling fights for Titan FC promotion in her home of Kansas City, Missouri as well as filling in for Dana White's Contender Series and other shows she appears on. Three years ago she made it known she wanted to sit as an analyst chair in UFC. Since then she's worked tirelessly at finding opportunities that allow her to showcase what knowledge of this sport she possesses. That includes sitting alongside Dan Hellie and other broadcasters for every Tuesday night show, where she can showcase her skills and develop her craft with every assignment. She loves that this role has brought out the best in her, helping launch fighters such as Sean O'Malley, Geoff Neal and Maycee Barber into successful careers. Sanko responded strongly in her Blockasset podcast interview when people questioned her credentials or accused her of nepotism for landing such roles, insisting she has to "deal with a lot of hate". She lashed out against those who make such accusations against her credentials. Sanko does not expect all women to follow her path, but hopes her example can inspire more young females. Additionally, this 38-year-old has set herself an ambitious personal goal; telling the Blockasset crew she hopes one day to compete in the UFC atomweight division which does not currently offer it.