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In February 2023, Laura Sanko made history as only the second woman—after Kathy Long—to step behind the UFC commentary desk, officially debuting at UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Spivac at the UFC Apex. Since then, the 42-year-old has seen her career skyrocket, cementing herself as a key voice in the sport. Today, Sanko wears multiple hats—UFC Color Commentator, ESPN MMA Analyst, Dana White’s Contender Series Commentator, Alta Ambassador, and One-on-One Host—proving that her influence extends far beyond the Octagon.

But beyond her thriving career, Sanko is also a wife. Yes, there’s a man who has been by her side long before she became one of the most recognizable voices in MMA. From her days as an amateur fighter to becoming the voice that amplifies the intensity of every strike and submission, he has witnessed it all. So, who is Laura Sanko’s husband? The man who has shared her journey for nearly two decades? Let’s find out.

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Meet Nathan Sanko, Laura Sanko’s husband

Laura Sanko has been married to Nathan Sanko for over 12 years, sharing a relationship that has spanned nearly two decades. Born in Lee’s Summit, Missouri, USA, in April 1970, Nathan earned his bachelor’s degree in Economics from the University of Arkansas in 1992. While he is best known as Laura Sanko’s husband, Nathan has also built a successful career as an entrepreneur.

The couple’s journey began in 2006 when they started dating, and after six years together, they tied the knot in 2012. Reflecting on their relationship, Laura once took to Instagram to celebrate their sixth wedding anniversary, expressing gratitude for her husband’s unwavering support: “6 years married… 12 years total. Life is always an adventure with you! Thank you for all you do and the life you provide for me and Burke. Happy Anniversary, Nathan.”

 

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A post shared by Laura Sanko (@laura_sanko)

When we say Nathan Sanko is an entrepreneur, we mean it—he is the CEO of Leggera Technologies, a company that specializes in solving complex engineering challenges for OEM customers. Through his leadership, the company has established itself as a key player in its field, tackling intricate problems with innovative solutions.

Nathan’s business acumen and strategic mindset have earned him high regard from those who have worked with him. A former teammate once described him as: “Nathan is gifted with extraordinary capacity. An example would be his exceptional ability to decipher in detail the challenges and opportunities facing a particular enterprise.”

With such recognition, one can’t help but wonder—how successful is his business, and what exactly does he do?

Laura Sanko’s UFC Salary and Net Worth

As of 2021, Laura Sanko’s last known salary was approximately $200,000. However, there is no credible source providing updated information on her current earnings. Her net worth is estimated to be $2.5 million as of September 2023. Sanko earns a comfortable living as an MMA analyst and reporter for the UFC, and she further boosts her income by partnering with brands and promoting them through her social media platforms.

Her addition to the commentary team for UFC 293, marking her pay-per-view debut, added another milestone to her already remarkable career. With highly anticipated fights inside the Octagon and Sanko making history behind the mic, UFC 293 proved to be an unforgettable event. Now, let’s jump onto her husbands’s net worth and line of work.

Nathan Sanko’s salary and net worth

Nathan Sanko’s professional journey is nothing short of impressive, and it all began with Back 2 Basics Beef, a ranching enterprise he owns in southwest Missouri. The company runs several thousand head of stocker cattle, hundreds of cows, and a few horses, marking the start of his entrepreneurial path. Nathan’s business portfolio extends beyond ranching, as he was also an early investor and board member of Movista, a SaaS company that helps store and field teams streamline in-store work and improve on-shelf availability.

In 2011, Nathan co-founded No Limit Wheels LLC, a company that sold fully customizable ATV, UTV, and Golf Cart wheels. The company was successfully sold to Storm Ramos and No Limit Racing in December 2017. However, Nathan’s most notable business success came in November 2013, when he co-founded Leggera Technologies, LLC, a company specializing in innovative automotive lightweight parts.

Describing her husband’s incredible journey, Laura Sanko took to Instagram to express her pride: “So proud of Nathan and what he’s built from scratch 🙌🏻”

She continued, recounting the early days of Leggera Technologies: “He and his partner Tom started in a garage in KC… built the first machine of its kind by hand, funded it all alone, and now they are the bleeding edge technology in automotive lightweight parts.” Nathan has proven to be not just a successful businessman, but an exceptionally driven one who has built multiple companies from the ground up. His dedication and hard work have made a significant impact in several industries.

While we know Nathan has achieved great success, he is also a very private individual, and his net worth has not been publicly disclosed. However, with his impressive track record, it’s clear that he has built a substantial fortune through his various ventures.

Do Nathan and Laura Sanko have kids?

For Nathan and Laura Sanko, the challenges they face are unique but manageable. While Nathan navigates the complexities of dealing with tough clients in his role as an entrepreneur, Laura balances the pressure of coming up with catchy lines in between intense UFC matches. Together, the couple has a son, Burke, who was born in 2013.

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Burke has played a pivotal role in Laura’s transition into commentary. While preparing for her second professional MMA fight, Laura learned she was pregnant, which led her to rethink her career. After giving birth, she returned to Invicta but instead of competing, she took on the role of interviewing fighters backstage. This eventually paved the way for her career as an analyst and led to her position with the UFC as a backstage interviewer and color commentator.

 

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The bond between mother and son is strong, with Laura frequently sharing the moments they spend together. As Burke grows, she finds herself reflecting on the changes in her role as a mother. “The older you get, the more I realize my role is changing as your mom,” she shared, her emotions evident.

Laura also expressed her perspective on parenting, emphasizing that it’s not about making perfect choices for Burke, but about allowing him to discover things for himself. It’s clear that while Laura thrives in her career, her role as a mother remains her most important and cherished responsibility!

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