Who is Laura Sanko? husband, Age, Height, Parents, Net Worth, Biography & More
Laura Sanko is a name that many mixed martial arts (MMA) fans are familiar with. She is one of the most prominent and respected MMA analysts and broadcast personalities in the industry, working for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), the world’s leading MMA promotion. She is also a former MMA fighter herself, having competed once in the all-female Invicta Fighting Championships.
Early Life, Birthday and Education
Laura Sanko was born as Laura Marcusse on December 7, 1982 (age: 41 years, as of 2023), in Chicago, Illinois, United States. She is 40 years old as of 2023. She grew up in a family of martial artists, as both her parents and her brother were black belts in karate. She started training in karate at the age of four and competed in various tournaments throughout her childhood and adolescence. She also played soccer and basketball in high school.
Sanko attended William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri, where she majored in business administration and minored in psychology. She graduated in 2005 with honors and was a member of the Phi Beta Kappa society. She also met her future husband, Zach Sanko, at college. They got married in 2006 and have two sons together.
Laura Sanko Wiki/Bio
| Name | Laura Sanko |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Laura Marcusse |
| Nickname | Fancy |
| Date of birth | December 7, 1982 |
| Place of birth | Chicago, Illinois, United States |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion | Christian |
| Height | 5 ft 5 in (165 cm) |
| Weight | 106 lb (48 kg) |
| Division | Atomweight (105 lb) |
| Reach | 63 in (160 cm) |
| Style | Karate, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| MMA record | 1-0 |
| MMA debut | January 5, 2013 |
| MMA retirement | 2013 |
| Current occupation | MMA analyst, commentator, reporter, and entrepreneur |
| Spouse | Nathan Sanko |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | William Jewell College (B.A. in Business Administration and Psychology) |
Profile
Linkedin- @laura-sanko-1a56215
MMA Career
Sanko’s interest in MMA was sparked by watching the UFC with her husband. She was fascinated by the sport and decided to try it out for herself. She joined the Grindhouse MMA gym in Kansas City, Missouri, and trained under James Krause, a UFC veteran and coach. She made her amateur MMA debut in 2010 and won four fights in a row, all by submission. She then turned pro in 2013 and signed with Invicta FC, the premier women’s MMA organization.
Sanko fought only once as a professional MMA fighter, at Invicta FC 4 on January 5, 2013. She faced Cassie Robb in an atomweight (105 lbs) bout and won by rear-naked choke in the second round. However, shortly after her victory, she discovered that she was pregnant with her second child and decided to put her fighting career on hold. She never returned to the cage, as she found a new passion in broadcasting and commentating.
Broadcasting and Commentating Career
Sanko made her broadcasting debut in 2014, when she joined Invicta FC as a backstage interviewer and post-fight reporter. She quickly impressed the fans and the promotion with her charisma, knowledge, and professionalism. She also became the first female commentator for Invicta FC, providing color commentary alongside play-by-play announcer TJ De Santis.
In 2017, Sanko joined the UFC as a reporter and analyst for the Dana White’s Contender Series (DWCS), a reality show that features aspiring MMA fighters competing for a UFC contract. She also worked as a desk analyst for various UFC events, alongside former fighters and experts such as Michael Bisping, Rashad Evans, and Paul Felder.
In 2021, Sanko made history as the first female commentator to work on a UFC broadcast in the Zuffa or Endeavor era, when she provided color commentary for the DWCS season 5. She received rave reviews from the fans and the media for her insightful and entertaining commentary. She also became the first female color commentator to appear on a UFC Fight Night event, when she joined the broadcast booth at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Spivak on January 30, 2023. She continued to break barriers, as she made her UFC pay-per-view commentary debut at UFC 293 on September 10, 2023.
Sanko is widely regarded as one of the best MMA analysts and commentators in the business, as she brings a unique perspective and a wealth of experience to the table. She is also praised for her rapport with the fighters, as she often conducts candid and emotional interviews with them before and after their bouts. She is not afraid to ask tough questions and to challenge the fighters on their performances and decisions. She is also known for her trademark nickname, “Fancy”, which she adopted after someone told her she was too fancy to fight.
Height, Weight
- Height: 5 ft 5 in / 165 cm1
- Weight: 115 lb / 52 kg1
- Eye color: Blue2
- Body measurements: 31-23-33 in / 81-60-84 cm1
- Skin color: White2
- Hair color: Blonde2
- Shoe size: 6 US3
How did Laura Sanko and Nathan meet and Fell in Love?
Laura and Nathan Sanko met in 2006 when they were both living in Kansas City, Missouri. Laura was working as a marketing manager for a local company, and Nathan was running his own businesses, including Back 2 Basics of Indiana, a waste management company that recycled organic waste in Chicago. They were introduced by a mutual friend, and they hit it off right away.
They started dating and soon realized that they had a lot in common. They both loved sports, especially MMA, and they both had a passion for entrepreneurship and innovation. They also shared the same values, such as faith, family, and hard work. They supported each other’s dreams and goals and encouraged each other to pursue their interests.
In 2011, Laura gave birth to their son, Burke, who brought them even more joy and happiness. They decided to get married the next year, in 2012, after six years of dating. They had a beautiful wedding ceremony in Asheville, North Carolina, at Chimney Rock Park, surrounded by their family and friends. They exchanged their vows and rings, and sealed their love with a kiss.
How Laura and Nathan Sanko Balance Their Personal and Professional Lives?
Laura and Nathan have been married for over a decade, and they have faced many challenges and opportunities along the way. They have both grown in their careers, and have achieved remarkable success in their respective fields.
Laura has become one of the most influential and respected voices in the MMA world, working for the UFC as an analyst, commentator, and reporter. She has also started her own podcast, called “The Fancy and Furious Podcast”, where she interviews MMA fighters and personalities. She has also founded her own company, Grassy Pants Beef, which sells grass-fed, hormone-free, all-natural steak.
Nathan has also continued to excel in his entrepreneurial endeavors, running multiple companies, such as Leggera Technologies, which provides structural automotive parts, and Back 2 Basics Beef, which he co-owns with Laura. He has also invested in promising startups, such as Movista, a mobile workforce management company, and Mid America Angels, an angel investment network.
Despite their busy and demanding schedules, Laura and Nathan always make time for each other and their son. They have a strong and stable marriage, based on love, trust, and respect. They communicate well, and they share their joys and sorrows. They also have fun together, and enjoy traveling, watching movies, and cosplaying as their favorite characters.
They also prioritize their family, and spend quality time with their son, Burke. They are devoted and loving parents, who nurture and guide their son. They also involve him in their hobbies and passions, such as MMA, farming, and pop culture.
Net Worth
Laura Sanko is a remarkable woman who has achieved a lot in her life and career. She is a former MMA fighter, a current MMA analyst and commentator, a wife, a mother, a Christian, and a role model. She is an inspiration to many, especially to young girls and women who aspire to pursue their dreams and passions. She is a trailblazer and a pioneer in the MMA industry, as she continues to break boundaries and to elevate the sport with her skills and talents. She is Laura Sanko, the “Fancy” lady of MMA.
