Laura Sanko, now a well-known UFC commentator, has recently shared the reasons behind her relatively short career as a professional fighter.
Sanko, 42, built a solid 6-1 record in amateur Mixed Martial Arts before stepping into the professional arena with Invicta FC in 2013.
Her professional debut was successful, marked by a victory over Cassie Robb with a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.
Despite this win and confidence in her abilities, particularly if the UFC were to introduce an atomweight division, Sanko never competed again after that fight.
The Decision Behind a 1-0 Pro Record
In the twelve years since her debut, Sanko has become a respected voice in MMA broadcasting. She is currently the only woman commentating on UFC events, leading to much speculation about her potential in fighting had she pursued it further.
In a conversation with Eric Nicksick, formerly a coach for Sean Strickland, Sanko discussed the factors influencing her decision to retire after just one professional fight.
When asked if the scarcity of suitable opponents played a role in her retirement, Sanko acknowledged it as a partial issue. However, she noted that Invicta FC was actively working to secure matchups and had a roster of capable atomweight fighters.
She explained that fighting for Invicta FC represented the pinnacle for atomweight fighters at the time. She was there to make the most of the opportunity, but her ambitions were not driven by fame or fortune, as those were not realistic prospects in women`s MMA during her fighting days.
Recalling an Early Encounter with Charles Oliveira
Looking back to over a decade ago, Sanko trained under Plinio Cruz, who later became instrumental in the rise of Alex Pereira. While reminiscing about her time with Cruz, Sanko recounted an interesting anecdote about her first impression of Charles Oliveira.
“It’s a funny story,” Sanko began, describing how Cruz, who was teaching at a local gym and affiliated with Macaco’s Gold Team in New Jersey, would occasionally organize training sessions at Macaco’s facility.
Sanko recalled one such trip where Cruz pointed out a young, unassuming Charles Oliveira in the corner of the gym, confidently predicting his future success: “Do you see that kid in the corner there? That kid, that kid is going to be champion one day.” Sanko admitted her initial skepticism towards Cruz`s bold prediction about the then-unknown, “skinny, dorky, coke-bottle glasses kid.”
Benedict Kingsley