Laura Sanko introduces the Sankoplata submission
UFC on ESPN Analyst & Reporter Laura Sanko continues to write history.
From competing as an MMA fighter to working as a reporter, host, analyst, and then eventually becoming the first woman to work as a UFC color commentator for the UFC, Sanko is breaking barriers for women in the sport.
But now, Sanko is taking her knowledge on the mat to all new levels with a submission she likes to call, the “Sankoplata.” The maneuver is a play on the rarely executed gogoplata. As per our BJJ glossary, “The gogoplata is executed from a guard, commonly from a “rubber guard”, where the legs are held very high against the opponent’s upper back. The fighter then slips one foot in front of the opponent’s head and under his chin, locks his hands behind the opponent’s head, and chokes the opponent by pressing his shin or instep against the opponent’s trachea.”
Sanko posted a video of her variant to Instagram on Monday. Check it out below.
“Let me introduce you to the Sankoplata 😂…did a quick demo with @pauluvian_necktie to show one of my weird and whacky subs I tend to hit because of my flexibility. Link to the full video is in my bio. Bonus to anyone who sends me footage of hitting this sub! 🏆”
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Sanko began her work under the Zuffa banner in 2016 and in 2021 began doing color commentary for Dana White’s Contender Series. Her work has been televised on FOX Sports and ESPN.
Sanko’s MMA career spans five amateur bouts from 2010 to 2012 and then one professional fight she won on Jan. 5, 2013 at Invicta FC 4. She later earned her start in broadcasting with Invicta and the rest is history as they say.
