Moment UFC reporter shocks Australian MMA fighter Tyson Pedro with a ‘disgusting’ suggestion

Australian UFC fighter Tyson Pedro scored an emphatic first-round victory at UFC 278 – and celebrated it by doing a ‘shoey’ with reporter Laura Sanko.

The incident took place backstage of the Vivint Arena in Salt Lake City minutes after 30-year-old Pedro’s win while the Aussie was being interviewed.

Sanko, 39, ordinarily asks the fighters a few questions about their performance – but this time decided to partake in Pedro’s celebrations.

Perdo celebrating his quick victory at UFC 278. The win is his second in a row after coming back from almost four years away from the sport

In the video clip posted to social media, Pedro can be seen pouring beers into shoes as Sanko looks on uncertainly and holding a microphone.

‘Are you going to spit in it?’ asks Sanko – which is often part of the ‘shoey’ tradition.

‘No, that’s disgusting,’ laughs Pedro. ‘There’s Covid going around.’

The two can then be seen chugging alcohol out of the shoes to the applause of those watching on.

The ‘shoey’ celebration has been popularised by Australian F1 driver Daniel Ricciardo and larger-than-life UFC heavyweight Tai Tuivasa – who just happens to be Pedro’s friend and brother-in-law.

Pedro’s front kick helped finish the fight – dropping Hunsucker to the mat and setting up the quick finish

Pedro has every reason to celebrate his win against American Harry Hunsucker after earlier in the year coming back from the longest injury lay-off in UFC history.

The Western Sydney resident was away from the sport for almost four years with successive knee operations and has now returned with two clinical performances in the Octagon.

‘That is as flawless as a performance you will see inside the Octagon,’ Joe Rogan said to Pedro after the fight.

‘You train so hard for this s***,’ the Australian replied.

‘It’s been a very hard camp, to get it down that quick, that’s what it’s all about. It feels amazing to be back. I can’t wait to see my baby girl, I’ve been away for six months, my grandfather died. This is for you grandpa.’

Pedro’s arm is raised in a victory. UFC commentator Joe Rogan described the win as ‘flawless’

The rest of the UFC commentary team were also shocked and impressed by Pedro’s quick finish.

‘A flawless performance,’ said Daniel Cormier.

‘It started out with a snapping jab, he caught him coming in, really stung him and then the kick to the body. That was all she wrote. Pedro has looked phenomenal in his return.’

Reporter and analyst Laura Sanko, who has also competed in mixed martial arts, is very popular with fans – so her doing a ‘shoey’ while on the job with Pedro was received very well on social media.

‘Reason 10000 why I love @laura_sanko,’ commented one Instagram user. Another gushed: ‘@laura_sanko is the real mvp for her shoey!’ A third added: ‘Wow Laura has a new fan.’