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UFC's First Female Commentator Defends Khabib Over Controversial Ring Girl Comments

UFC's First Female Commentator Defends Khabib Over Controversial Ring Girl Comments

Laura Sanko reacts to Khabib Nurmagomedov's controversial stance.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

UFC's first female colour commentator and reporter Laura Sanko has defended Khabib Nurmagomedov over his controversial ring girl comments.

Nurmagomedov hit out at the use of ring girls, calling them 'the most useless people' in the sport.

"Look, I don't want to offend anyone, ring girls are the most useless people in martial arts," he exclaimed.

"What is their purpose? I have a question. You can show that it is the second round on the screen. I realise that is a history. History knows many mistakes.

"We read history to avoid mistakes of the past in the future. If we look in the history, it says they are useless.

"That is my personal opinion."

The former UFC champion's stance got the MMA community talking. From Conor McGregor, who poked fun at his former foe, to OG ring girls Arianny Celeste and Brittney Palmer.

Sanko, who became UFC's very first female colour commentator earlier this month, has now weighed in - and she's put it down to his 'cultural difference'.

She said via LowKickMMA: "I think it's a cultural difference.

"I think we have to accept that that is a very valid opinion for him to have and it's his personal opinion and he was talking about why he's not gonna have them at his promotion... that's within his right to do so...

"If he had specifically attacked our ring card girls or any ring card girl by name, I definitely would jump to their defense.

"I think it's more the idea for him, it's not just something culturally that he finds valid and I respect that about him.

"I think he's perfectly fine and within his rights to talk about that."

Featured Image Credit: Laura Sanko/PA

Topics: Khabib Nurmagomedov, UFC