Paramount and UFC have officially announced a long-term contract extension for seasoned analyst and commentator Laura Sanko. Sanko will continue her role in covering UFC events on Paramount+, the exclusive platform for UFC broadcasts in the United States and Latin America. Her upcoming assignments include serving as a desk analyst for the highly anticipated UFC 327 event in Miami, Florida.
Sanko began her career in combat sports media in 2016 as a backstage reporter for Fox, later joining Dana White’s Contender Series in a similar capacity in 2017. She made history in 2021 by becoming the first female color commentator in the modern UFC era during that year’s Contender Series. Sanko further cemented her place in UFC broadcast history by debuting at UFC FIGHT NIGHT: LEWIS vs. SPIVAC on February 4, 2023. She will continue to conduct fighter interviews, provide cage-side reporting, and be a prominent figure on the morning weigh-in shows.
With a background as a jiu-jitsu black belt and a former Invicta FC atomweight fighter with a professional record of 1-0 and an amateur record of 4-1, Sanko brings invaluable firsthand fight experience and a high fight IQ to her commentary. Her analysis offers key insights, unique perspectives, and detailed breakdowns of the action.
“It is an incredible honor to continue my journey with the UFC as a color commentator and analyst,” Sanko stated. “In 2026, I will have been on-air with the UFC for 10 years, and it has been an extraordinary experience. I am especially grateful to the UFC for providing me the opportunity to step into a role that was, at the time, uncharted territory for a woman. I have cherished every moment of analysis and storytelling that this job has offered me. From Dana White’s Contender Series to major numbered events, from the analyst desk to cage-side commentary, I am eager to deliver my best to the broadcasts and continue connecting with both the dedicated long-time fans and the millions of new fans being drawn to the sport by Paramount+. I believe we have the finest team in the world, encompassing my fellow broadcast partners, our producers, and everyone behind the scenes, and I am ready for another remarkable chapter!”
