In a historic moment for the UFC, Laura Sanko will become its first female color commentator of the modern era when she enters the booth for UFC Fight Night 218. The 40-year-old will officially mark the beginning of her UFC commentary role on February 4, 2023, at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Spivak.

Sanko began her UFC journey in 2016 when she appeared as a backstage reporter for UFC on Fox. She went on do to the same for Dana White’s Contender Series in 2017, before eventually becoming a commentator there. Since then, she has also become a constant presence as an analyst and octagon reporter for ESPN.

Sanko has a martial arts background that adds value to her commentary. She has a 4-1 amateur record and is 1-0 as a pro. Speaking of her upcoming commentary debut, Sanko said, “Taking the next step to join the UFC commentary team has been a goal of mine since I began my broadcast career.”

UFC president Dana White also congratulated Sanko on her new role. He said, “I can’t think of anyone better to be the first female color commentator for the modern UFC era than Laura. 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.”

Many fans and pros reacted to the news after the UFC’s announcement. However, some fans used the news to take sly digs at MMA figures like Khabib Nurmagomedov and commentators like Daniel Cormier and Dominick Cruz.

Fans react to Laura Sanko becoming UFC commentator

Under a social media post announcing Sanko’s UFC commentary debut, fans had a field day trashing some of the present commentators. Many of them aimed their insults at figures like DC and Cruz, while some others congratulated Sanko on her achievement.

One fan congratulated Sanko, saying, “She has crushed everything on the mix so far, I feel very confident she will do the same here. Congratulations Sanko! Let’s gooo!”

Another wrote, “About time. Let’s get DC off the mic for 284. Nobody wants to listen him to gargle Dagestani ba**s all night.”

One fan took a jibe at “The Eagle” and said, “Khabib is gna lose it.” The comment was in reference to the former champion’s controversial remarks about ring girls being a part of combat sports.

One kind comment read, “She is very knowledgeable and she has been amazing on DWCS.”

Another went, “A lot of people forget Laura had an MMA career of her own, she’s actually a really good commentator.”

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One fan wrote, “Honestly she is better then DC and Cruz. And she’s knowledgeable about the sport.”

Another took a jibe at Joe Rogan– “Better than Rogan”

One comment read, “Would rather listen to Sanko than some of the broadcast regulars tbh.”

Yet another similar comment read, “Hopefully she doesn’t say the same stuff (phrases) every week like Bisping and DC especially.”

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What are your thoughts on Laura Sanko becoming a UFC commentator? Let us know in the comments below.