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UFC’s Laura Sanko Opens The Gates and Offers Tour Dream Ranch: “This is My Sanctuary.”

UFC's Laura Sanko Opens The Gates and Offers Tour Dream Ranch: "This is My Sanctuary." Laura Sanko may work for the biggest mixed martial arts organization in the world, but when she’s away from…

Laura Sanko may work for the biggest mixed martial arts organization in the world, but when she’s away from all the blood and brutality of the Octagon, the beloved MMA analyst prefers the quiet refuge of her sprawling ranch.

In a recent video on her YouTube channel, Sanko opened the gates and invited fight fans to see a behind-the-scenes look at what Sanko does when she’s not offering her expertise on the fight game.

“We’ve owned this land since 2013 to build our dream house,” Sanko said. “The idea has been, you know, in our minds for quite a while, and a year ago, we finally got construction underway. One of my favorite spots in the whole house is this Four Seasons room, which was kind of how the whole idea of the house started. We wanted to have as much of the outside connected to the inside. I love being able to look out and see the cattle, the creek, and we have bald eagles that live out here. We have a black coyote that lives out here.

“Once we came up here one day and just saw what it looked like, we were like, ‘This is the spot.’ The whole ranching piece of it really comes from my husband. He grew up in Western Kansas, and when I met him, he had 1,500 head of cattle. We dated for like 6 years, and I would go down to the bigger ranch with him. We really enjoyed that, so we knew we wanted to have that piece of ranch life when we had a family.”

“This is my Sanctuary. There’s a lot of peace that our ranch brings.”

Laura Sanko rises through the ranks to make UFC history

After hanging up her MMA gloves following a brief stint under the Invicta FC banner, Sanko made the move to broadcasting where she eventually scored a gig as a roving reporter for the UFC.

In 2021, Sanko became the first female color commentator since Kathy Long at UFC 1 more than three decades ago. After cutting her teeth on Dana White’s Contender Series, she made history once again, earning a spot at the broadcast table for UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Spivak on February 3, 2023.

She made her UFC pay-per-view debut later that same year at UFC 293.

Why Laura Sanko Is Enamored with Shavkat Rakhmonov “Primal … Chills”

UFC commentator Laura Sanko recently explained her unyielding support for the Kazakh Shavkat Rakhmonov. ‘The Nomad’ Rakhmonov will be…

UFC commentator Laura Sanko recently explained her unyielding support for the Kazakh Shavkat Rakhmonov. ‘The Nomad’ Rakhmonov will be competing in a title eliminator at UFC 310 on December 7.

Laura Sanko Enamored with Shavkat Rakhmonov

Former MMA fighter Laura Sanko has long kept an eye on Shavkat Rakhmonov throughout his rise in the UFC. Recently she collaborated with Rakhmonov on a T-shirt where the proceeds will be donated to a charity in Kazakhstan.

The undefeated welterweight sensation from Kazakhstan, Shavkat Rakhmonov is known for his brutal fighting style and silent demeanor.

Laura Sanko shared her deep admiration for Shavkat Rakhmonov, describing him as a fighter who elicits a sense of primal excitement. “There’s something about the way he fights, the way he operates,” Sanko said. “It gives me chills. He’s like something special.” For Sanko, Rakhmonov’s fight style is just one part of what makes him so compelling. “He doesn’t talk, and he doesn’t speak a lick of English,” she continued. “There’s a mystery there, and it’s just really cool … He does give me chills. There’s something very primal about the way Shavkat fights. It’s not just technique—it’s his presence, his intensity.”

Laura Sanko Is Enamored with Shavkat Rakhmonov

The Nomad

Hailing from the nomadic tribes of the Mongolian steppe, he represents a lifestyle and culture that is largely unfamiliar to many in the Western world. Sanko revealed that she had delved into reading about the nomadic life of the Mongolian tribes. “It’s a lifestyle so different from what we’re used to,” Sanko explained. “They live in yurts, constantly moving because they’re herding animals. It’s fascinating.”

“In a completely platonic way, I’m just enamored by him—by his fighting, by his culture. I just got caught up in it. But it all comes back to this: I felt like I knew before most people around here did, anyway.

“Don’t be surprised if he shows up with a falcon on his arm and hunts a rabbit for you.”

Sanko recognized Rakhmonov’s talent early. “I felt like I knew about him before anyone else,” Sanko said. “Back when he was still fighting in M-1, I thought, ‘This guy is going to be a star.’” Now, with an undefeated record and rising recognition, Rakhmonov is steadily becoming one of the most talked-about names in the sport.

Next, Shavkat Rakhmonov will face fellow undefeated welterweight Ian Machado Garry on December 7 live at UFC 310 and the winner will face Belal Muhammad for the UFC welterweight world title.

Laura Sanko Gets Chills from UFC Talent Shavkat Rakhmonov

Laura Sanko’s admiration for undefeated finisher Shavkat Rakhmonov has been one of the more entertaining stories to come out…

Laura Sanko’s admiration for undefeated finisher Shavkat Rakhmonov has been one of the more entertaining stories to come out of the UFC in recent years.

It all started during the UFC 279 weigh-in show when Sanko exclaimed that the ‘Nomad’ gave her chills. More than her words, it was the delivery of said declaration that got everyone’s attention.

Things really started to heat up a few months later ahead of UFC 285 when Sanko appeared on the weigh-in show sporting a Kazakh Hat similar to the one Rakhomov wears to the Octagon. As Sanko curiously stroked the tail of the headwear and sang Rakhmonov’s praises, fans online went crazy, and an entire country instantly followed Sanko on Instagram.

Asked about Sanko’s comments during the UFC 285 media day, Rakhmonov acknowledged that he had seen the clip and found it quite humorous.

“Yes, of course. I saw that video,” Rakhmonov said through a translator when asked about the viral clip. “What can I say? As a man, you always like when a woman adores you. So…”

Sanko eventually did attempt to quell the rumors of her manufactured courtship with the welterweight star.

“Can we please address this? I don’t have a crush on the man. I like his fighting style,” Sanko said as she felt forced to clear the air. “An entire country thinks I do and I need to correct the record. Still a fan, I just don’t have a crush. The entire country of Kazakhstan is very excited about it because I got like 20,000 new followers after that day. No, I have a husband.”

Of course, that did little to kill the narrative that was already sweeping across social media.

Laura Sanko Admits She still gets chills from shavkat rakhmonov — and nothing else

Recently, Gabriel Gonzalez — the same MMA reporter who asked ‘Nomad’ about Sanko’s comments in March 2023 — caught up with the UFC color commentator and offered up an apology for his role in perpetuating the rumors.

“I almost forgot that you were responsible for that,” Sanko told Gonzalez. “You ask one question and the whole world lights on fire. I don’t know that you owe me an apology. You don’t owe me an apology. But it was certainly, um, it was really blown out of proportion. But that’s okay — I got quite a bit of Instagram following off of it.

“And I will say this: the Kazakh fans are absolutely amazing, and I’ve kind of fallen in love with this idea of Kazakhstan and its craziness for anything Shavkat-related.”

Though things may have gotten a little blown out of proportion — as Sanko stated — the former fighter admits to still getting chills when Rakhmonov puts his skills on display inside the Octagon, and she’s certainly not the only one.

“The internet — I’m not the only one that’s getting chills, guys. I’m not the only one that’s getting chills.”

Fortunately, Sanko and Rakhmonov’s home country won’t have to wait long to see ‘Nomad’ back in action. On Saturday, December 7, the 18-0 sensation returns to action for a potential welterweight title eliminator against fast-rising Irish star Ian Machado Garry at UFC 310 in Las Vegas.

Is Size Really Everything? Laura Sanko Thinks Length Might Be the Real Key

Laura Sanko doesn’t see Jon Jones’ size making that much of a difference against Stipe Miocic. Length on the…

Laura Sanko doesn’t see Jon Jones’ size making that much of a difference against Stipe Miocic. Length on the other hand is a different story.

On November 16, ‘Bones’ will put his undisputed heavyweight world title on the line for the first time when he headlines the UFC’s return to Madison Square Garden. Standing in Jones’ way of adding another successful defense to his resume will be Miocic, the promotion’s first and only two-time heavyweight titleholder.

It will be Jones’ second time competing as a heavyweight, the first coming at UFC 285 in March 2023 when he scored a quickfire submission victory over Ciryl Gane to claim the vacated crown. ‘Bones’ weighed 248-pounds for that bout. If he tips the scales similarly for Saturday’s scrap in NYC, he’ll likely have a slight size advantage over Miocic who usually weighs in at 230-240.

However, Jones’ real advantage will be with his length. At least, that’s what color commentary Laura Sanko thinks.

“Yeah, I always tell people, size isn’t as big of an advantage as you think it is… but length is,” Sanko told Din Thomas while the two broke down the UFC 309 headliner.

Jones’ reach measures at 84.5 inches which is the second-longest in the UFC.

Din Thomas Agrees with Laura Sanko’s assessment of Size vs. Length

Din Thomas agreed with Sanko’s statement, suggesting that if Miocic has any chance of winning, it’ll be by making the most of his 80-inch reach via distance management and keeping ‘Bones’ at bay with combinations.

“It’s a huge advantage,” Thomas added. “And this is why I’m saying Stipe is gonna have to do his job on his feet because he can cover up some of that distance in and out, side to side, creating angles, seeing if he can catch Jon slipping. I mean, he’s gonna have to. And he’s gonna have to throw in combinations. But I think he’s got a skill set that ages well, as long as he’s been active and moving his body.”

Sanko also pointed out that Jon Jones has fought someone similarly statured on two separate occasions, given us a potential indicator of how ‘Bones’ could handle his matchup against Miocic.

“I agree,” Sanko said. “And part of that is because this is the fight where the length that you’re talking about is the least pronounced. Stipe is taller and longer than Alexander Gustafsson, and that’s the closest one to it. Alex Gustafsson is 6’5,” Stipe 6’6.”

Laura Sanko is Excited to See Jon Jones’ New Tools in The Octagon at UFC 309 – “Give A Little Wink!”

Laura Sanko is really excited by the prospect of seeing Jon Jones throw 12-to-6 elbows inside the Octagon. When…

Laura Sanko is really excited by the prospect of seeing Jon Jones throw 12-to-6 elbows inside the Octagon.

When ‘Bones’ puts his undisputed heavyweight title on the line for the first time this Saturday night in Madison Square Garden, it will come 15 days removed from a new revision of the Unified Rules of MMA that now allows fighters to utilize the previously banned elbowing maneuver.

Jones, of course, suffered the first and only loss of his career against Matt Hamill after he was infamously disqualified for throwing 12-to-6 elbows while in the mount.

With them now being fair game, Jones is excited to throw a few against two-time titleholder Stipe Miocic — and Sanko can’t wait to see it either.

“How soon into the fight… we should do like a little over-under prop bet here,” Sanko said. “How soon into the fight are we gonna see the old 12-to-6 elbow?”

“I just want him to throw it, and then like… yeah, and give a little wink!” Sanko added.

Din Thomas concurred.

“Yeah, he’s got to,” Thomas added. “If he throws it, he’s gotta do like a pro wrestling gesture—like a, woo, woo, woo! Something. Wind it up and do it! Something like that.”

Jon jones has been training to use 12-to-6 elbows ‘extensively’

Speaking with Kevin Iole ahead of his return to the Octagon, ‘Bones’ made it clear that he plans to put his 12-to-6 elbows on full display and become one of the first to do so inside the world’s most famous arena.

“I’ve been training extensively on different 12-to-6 elbow attacks. It’s funny because it’s been such a big no-no move, and so you train yourself not to go there. Now, to be able to use that strike — I mean, it’s a very devastating strike. It just opens up so many more options, both on the feet and in the top position.

“I’m excited to hopefully be one of the first UFC athletes to legally display it at Madison Square Garden.”

Laura Sanko’s Sharp Comeback to Fan’s NSFW Remark: ‘The H*?’

Laura Sanko hilariously snapped back at a fan who made a not-so-savory remark about her on social media. In…

Laura Sanko hilariously snapped back at a fan who made a not-so-savory remark about her on social media.

In an Instagram threat discussing Sanko’s rise up the ranks from backstage reporter to color commentator, one fan insisted that the former fighter deserved more opportunities at the commentary table — specifically on pay-per-views.

“It is absolutely criminal that Laura Sanko has only commentated one PPV, a year ago,” @filippogiardina wrote. “She’s fresh air.”

While most of the comments were positive, there was one user who made an inappropriate remark that ended up getting the attention of Sanko.

“[Laura Sanko] infinite times better than the h* last night.”

Sanko quickly snapped back.

“The h* last night? You mean me??” Sanko responded.

Ex-Fighter Jamie Varner Accused Laura Sanko of ‘Ruining the fights’ with her commentary

Of course, randoms on Instagram aren’t the only ones who have ripped Sanko’s work on commentary. In 2001, ex-WEC lightweight champion Jamie Varner accused Sanko of “ruining the fights” and suggested that a female fighter more along the lines of Holly Holm would be better suited for the role.

Never one to turn the other cheek, Sanko delivered a lengthy reply to Varner’s criticism, reminding him of a time when they both fought on a Titan FC card.

“@jamievarner you and I actually fought on the same card in 2011 for Titan FC,” she wrote on X. “We warmed up next to each other in the basement of the Memorial Hall building in KCK. My best friend braided your hair because you couldn’t find anyone to do it. I remember thinking how cool it was at the time to be on a card with you. I had followed your career in the WEC and was a little star struck to be honest.

“It’s ok that you don’t like my commentary, but respectfully, I’ve been a part of this game and training since 2006. I’m a brown belt in Jiu Jitsu and while I can’t compare my career to yours I have in fact fought. And if UFC had a 105 division I would have fought a lot longer.”