Wikipedia

Yana Santos

Yana Santos (née Kunitskaya; born November 11, 1989) is a Russian professional mixed martial artist and former Invicta FC Bantamweight Champion.[5] As of December 3, 2024, she is No. 10 in the UFC women's bantamweight rankings.[6]

Yana Santos
BornYana Kunitskaya
(1989-11-11) November 11, 1989 (age 35)
Murmansk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Other namesFoxy
NationalityRussian
Height5 ft 6 in (1.68 m)[1]
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st)
DivisionFeatherweight
Bantamweight
Reach68 1⁄2 in (174 cm)[2]
StyleTaekwondo, Muay Thai, ARB, Gaidojutsu
Fighting out ofSaint Petersburg, Russia
TeamJackson Wink MMA
American Top Team
RankBlack belt in Taekwondo[4]
Mixed martial arts record
Total24
Wins15
By knockout7
By submission1
By decision7
Losses8
By knockout3
By submission2
By decision3
No contests1
Other information
SpouseThiago Santos
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Biography

edit

Yana Santos was born in 1989 in the city of Murmansk, Murmansk Oblast, located in northwestern Russia. Her mother, Olga Kunitskaya, was a professional gymnast, and her father, Joseph, was a professional skier. She has a younger sister named Victoria.

Yana became involved in martial arts early in her childhood, starting with taekwondo when she was in preschool, and won numerous tournaments among both girls and boys, with many fights ending in knockouts.[7] At 12 years old, she began competing in hand-to-hand combat (Russian: рукопашный бой), participating in a large number of fights without suffering a defeat. When she was 16 years old, Santos went to live and study in St. Petersburg and entered the Lesgaft National State University of Physical Education, Sport and Health team at the Department of Boxing. At age 18, she started practicing mixed martial arts (MMA).

On August 9, 2012, Santos announced that she was pregnant with her first child.[8] In August 2013, she announced the end of her sports career and her transition to coaching, but she came out of retirement three years later.[9] She then signed a contract with the Invicta Fighting Championships, where she became World Champion only to have the decision overturned to a no contest, but eventually became World Champion eight months later.[10]

Mixed martial arts career

edit

Early career

edit

Santos made her professional MMA debut on May 23, 2009, at a K-1 World Grand Prix event in Poland. She defeated Magdalena Jarecka by technical knockout (TKO) in the first round. After winning two of her next three fights, Santos faced unbeaten prospect Cindy Dandois at M-1 Challenge XXII on December 10, 2010. She defeated Dandois by TKO in 34 seconds.[11] On November 19, 2011, Santos faced Arune Lauzeckaite at Bushido Hero's: World Grand Prix Lithuania, winning by TKO in the first round.[12]

In 2012, Santos faced Ekaterina Saraykina at Verdict Fighting Championship 1 on February 11,[13] defeating Saraykina by TKO in the first round.[14] In March, she faced Anna Melikhova at Lion's Fights 1[15] and won by unanimous decision after two rounds.[16] She then defeated Sylwia Kusiak by TKO in round one at Baltic Arena in Koszalin, Poland, in June.[17] Santos was scheduled to face Danielle West at Starlight Events: Gladiator World Cup 2012 on July 6 in Marbella, Spain,[17] but the event was cancelled.[18]

Santos had fought almost exclusively in Russia,[12][19] and built her record to 9 wins and 2 losses before signing to Invicta FC.

Invicta Fighting Championships

edit

Yana defeated Tonya Evinger for the Invicta FC Bantamweight title on November 18, 2016.[20][21] On December 1, the win was overturned to a no contest, so Evinger retained her title.[22] Santos faced Evinger in a rematch in the main event of Invicta FC 22 on March 25, 2017, and lost by submission in the second round.[23]

Santos defeated Raquel Pa'aluhi at Invicta FC 25 on August 31, 2017, to win the vacant Invicta FC Bantamweight Championship.[5]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

edit

Santos made her Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) promotional debut at UFC 222 on March 3, 2018, against Cris Cyborg for the featherweight title.[24] She lost the fight by TKO in the first round.[25]

Santos next faced Lina Länsberg on October 6, 2018, at UFC 229.[26] She won the fight by unanimous decision.[27]

Santos then faced Marion Reneau on March 9, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 146.[28] She won the fight by unanimous decision.[29]

Santos faced Aspen Ladd on December 7, 2019, at UFC on ESPN 7.[30] She lost the fight by technical knockout in round three.[31]

Santos was scheduled to face Ketlen Vieira on August 1, 2020, at UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Aldana.[32] and on July 15, 2020, it was announced that the bout was moved to UFC Fight Night 174 on August 8, 2020.[33] Subsequently, Vieira was removed from the card on July 30 for undisclosed reasons and replaced by Julija Stoliarenko.[34] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[35]

The bout with Ketlen Vieira was rescheduled and eventually took place on February 20, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 185.[36] At the weigh-ins, Vieira weighed in at 138 pounds, two pounds over the women's bantamweight non-title fight limit. She was fined 20% of her purse which went to Santos and the bout proceeded at catchweight.[37][38] Santos won the fight via unanimous decision.[39]

Santos faced Irene Aldana on July 10, 2021, at UFC 264.[40] At the weigh-ins, Aldana weighed in at 139.5 pounds, three and a half pounds over the bantamweight non-title fight limit. Her bout proceeded at catchweight and Aldana was fined 30% of her purse, which went to Santos.[41] Santos lost the fight via technical knockout in round one.[42]

Santos faced former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion Holly Holm on March 25, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 43.[43] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[44]

Santos was scheduled to face The Ultimate Fighter: Heavy Hitters women's featherweight winner Macy Chiasson on July 1, 2023, at UFC on ESPN 48[45] However, Chiasson pulled out two weeks after the fight announcement and was replaced by Karol Rosa in a featherweight bout.[46] Santos lost the fight via split decision.[47]

Santos was scheduled to face Norma Dumont on January 13, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 234.[48] However, Santos pulled out due to a broken nose.[49]

Santos faced Chelsea Chandler on August 10, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 61.[50] At the weigh-ins, Chandler weighed in at 141 pounds, five pounds over the bantamweight non-title fight limit.[51] The bout proceeded at catchweight and Chandler was fined 20 percent of her purse which went to Santos.[51] She won the fight by unanimous decision.[52]

Personal life

edit

Santos is married to former UFC and current Professional Fighters League (PFL) fighter Thiago Santos.[53] She has a son from a previous relationship.[54] The couple got engaged in December 2020.[55] On August 16, 2021, Santos announced that they were expecting their first child together. This led to speculation among some fans that she was pregnant during her fight against Irene Aldana, which had taken place just a month earlier. However, Santos denied these claims, noting that female fighters in Nevada, where the fight occurred, are required to undergo pregnancy tests as part of the standard medical screening before each fight.[56]

Championships and accomplishments

edit

Mixed martial arts record

edit
Professional record breakdown
24 matches 15 wins 8 losses
By knockout 7 3
By submission 1 2
By decision 7 3
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 15–8 (1) Chelsea Chandler Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Tybura vs. Spivac 2 August 10, 2024 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Catchweight (141 lb) bout; Chandler missed weight.
Loss 14–8 (1) Karol Rosa Decision (split) UFC on ESPN: Strickland vs. Magomedov July 1, 2023 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Featherweight bout.
Loss 14–7 (1) Holly Holm Decision (unanimous) UFC on ESPN: Vera vs. Sandhagen March 25, 2023 3 5:00 San Antonio, Texas, United States
Loss 14–6 (1) Irene Aldana TKO (punches) UFC 264 July 10, 2021 1 4:35 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Catchweight (139.5 lb) bout; Aldana missed weight.
Win 14–5 (1) Ketlen Vieira Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis February 20, 2021 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Catchweight (138 lb) bout; Vieira missed weight.
Win 13–5 (1) Julija Stoliarenko Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Oleinik August 8, 2020 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 12–5 (1) Aspen Ladd TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Rozenstruik December 7, 2019 3 0:33 Washington, D.C., United States
Win 12–4 (1) Marion Reneau Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. dos Santos March 9, 2019 3 5:00 Wichita, Kansas, United States
Win 11–4 (1) Lina Länsberg Decision (unanimous) UFC 229 October 6, 2018 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Return to Bantamweight.
Loss 10–4 (1) Cris Cyborg TKO (punches) UFC 222 March 3, 2018 1 3:25 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States For the UFC Women's Featherweight Championship.
Win 10–3 (1) Raquel Pa'aluhi Decision (unanimous) Invicta FC 25: Kunitskaya vs. Pa'aluhi August 31, 2017 5 5:00 Lemoore, California, United States Won the vacant Invicta FC Bantamweight Championship. Performance of the Night.
Loss 9–3 (1) Tonya Evinger Submission (rear-naked choke) Invicta FC 22: Evinger vs. Kunitskaya II March 25, 2017 2 4:32 Kansas City, Missouri, United States For the Invicta FC Bantamweight Championship.
NC 9–2 (1) Tonya Evinger NC (overturned) Invicta FC 20: Evinger vs. Kunitskaya November 18, 2016 1 1:59 Kansas City, Missouri, United States For the Invicta FC Bantamweight Championship. Originally a submission (armbar) win for Kunitskaya; overturned after Evinger appealed the loss due to a controversial referee call. Performance of the Night.
Win 9–2 Wu Yanan TKO (punches) Fightspirit Championship 6 September 4, 2016 2 0:32 St. Petersburg, Russia Bantamweight debut.
Loss 8–2 Zaira Dyshekova Submission (armbar) ACB 32: Battle of Lions March 26, 2016 1 3:38 Moscow, Russia Catchweight (137 lb) bout. Performance of the Night.
Win 8–1 Sylwia Kusiak TKO (corner stoppage) Baltic Arena June 15, 2012 1 0:50 Koszalin, Poland
Win 7–1 Anna Melikhova Decision (unanimous) Lion's Fights 1: The Beginning March 3, 2012 2 5:00 Saint Petersburg, Russia Lightweight bout.
Win 6–1 Ekaterina Saraykina TKO (punches) Verdict Fighting Championship 1 February 11, 2012 1 1:05 Moscow, Russia Featherweight bout.
Win 5–1 Arune Lauzeckaite TKO (punches) Bushido Lithuania: Hero's Lithuania 2011 November 19, 2011 1 1:34 Vilnius, Lithuania
Win 4–1 Cindy Dandois TKO (punches) M-1 Challenge 22 December 10, 2010 1 0:34 Moscow, Russia Featherweight bout.
Win 3–1 Kamila Bałanda TKO (punches) Bushido Lithuania: Hero's Lithuania 2010 November 20, 2010 1 4:26 Vilnius, Lithuania
Loss 2–1 Maria Hougaard Djursaa Decision (unanimous) FG 14: Ice Cold May 29, 2010 3 5:00 Odense, Denmark
Win 2–0 Vladena Yavorskaya Submission (rear-naked choke) Bushido FC Legends November 28, 2009 1 3:20 Saint Petersburg, Russia Featherweight bout.
Win 1–0 Magdalena Jarecka TKO (punches) K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 May 23, 2009 1 1:38 Łódź, Poland

[57]

Pay-per-view bouts

edit
No. Event Fight Date Venue City PPV Buys
1. UFC 222 Cyborg vs. Kunitskaya March 3, 2018 T-Mobile Arena Paradise, Nevada, United States 260,000[58]

References

edit
  1. ^ "yana-santos". UFC.com. March 3, 2018. Retrieved August 11, 2024.
  2. ^ "yana-kunitskaya". UFC. com. September 14, 2018. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  3. ^ "Stats | UFC". ufcstats.com. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  4. ^ "Interview with Yana Kunitskaya: Invicta FC Bantamweight contender". February 2017. Retrieved March 17, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Bissell, Tim (September 1, 2017). "Invicta FC 25 results and highlights: Yana Kunitskaya outclasses Raquel Pa'aluhi for bantamweight title". bloodyelbow.com. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  6. ^ "UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions | UFC.com". www.ufc.com. Retrieved August 13, 2024.
  7. ^ "Who is Yana Kunitskaya, UFC 222's mystery headliner?". March 2, 2018. Retrieved September 8, 2018.
  8. ^ "Yana Kunitskaya Announces Pregnancy, Out Until Mid-2013". MMARising.com. August 9, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2012.
  9. ^ "Яна Куницкая: "Займусь ли я еще своей спортивной карьерой – точно сказать не могу"". Retrieved March 5, 2017.
  10. ^ "Yana Kunitskaya". invictafc.com. Retrieved November 15, 2024.
  11. ^ "Yana Kunitskaya Upsets Cindy Dandois At M-1 Challenge 22". MMARising.com. December 10, 2010. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
  12. ^ a b "Yana Kunitskaya Stops Arune Lauzeckaite At Bushido Hero's". MMARising.com. November 19, 2011. Retrieved November 19, 2011.
  13. ^ "Yana Kunitskaya Faces Ekaterina Saraykina At Verdict FC 1". MMARising.com. December 16, 2011. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  14. ^ "Weekend Recap: Yana Kunitskaya Victorious At Verdict FC 1". MMARising.com. February 12, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
  15. ^ "Yana Kunitskaya To Face Anna Melikhova At Lion's Fights 1". MMARising.com. February 2, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  16. ^ "Weekend Recap: Yana Kunitskaya Wins, Esparza-Magana Off". MMARising.com. March 5, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
  17. ^ a b "Yana Kunitskaya vs Danielle West Targeted For July 6 In Spain". MMARising.com. June 15, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  18. ^ "Weekend Recap: Kunitskaya vs West Scrapped, Promoter Jailed". MMARising.com. July 8, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  19. ^ "Yana Kunitskaya Still Revelling in Victory Over Dandois - Fight Network". Archived from the original on November 15, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  20. ^ "Champ Tonya Evinger vs. Yana Kunitskaya, Champ Angela Hill vs. Kaline Medeiros headline Invicta FC 20". October 13, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  21. ^ Raimondi, Marc (November 19, 2016). "Invicta 20 results: Kunitskaya stuns champ Evinger". MMA Fighting. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  22. ^ "Tonya Evinger successfully appeals shocking Invicta FC 20 loss, is once again bantamweight champ". December 1, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  23. ^ Raimondi, Marc (March 25, 2017). "Invicta FC 22 results: Tonya Evinger gets revenge, submitting Yana Santos to retain title". mmafighting.com. Retrieved May 31, 2022.
  24. ^ "Cris Cyborg vs. Yana Kunitskaya, Frankie Edgar vs. Brian Ortega scheduled for UFC 222". MMA Fighting. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  25. ^ "UFC 222 results: Cris Cyborg tested early, but takes out Yana Kunitskaya in first". MMAjunkie. March 4, 2018. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  26. ^ "Kunitskaya vs. Lansberg headed to UFC 229 in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.com. August 6, 2018. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  27. ^ "UFC 229 play-by-play and live results". MMAjunkie. October 6, 2018. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  28. ^ "Multiple UFC 233 fights get new dates, locations after Jan. 26 card scratched". mmajunkie.com. December 12, 2018. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  29. ^ "Yana Kunitskaya takes the nod in bloody battle with Marion Reneau (UFC Wichita Highlights)". MMAWeekly.com. March 10, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  30. ^ Gonzalez, Gabriel (August 9, 2019). "UFC Washington D.C. Adds Aspen Ladd vs. Yana Kunitskaya, Claudia Gadelha vs. Cynthia Cavillo". Cageside Press. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  31. ^ Doherty, Dan (December 7, 2019). "UFC DC Results: Aspen Ladd Finishes Yana Kunitskaya Immediately in Third Round". Cageside Press. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  32. ^ "UFC adds Ketlen Vieira vs. Yana Kunitskaya to Aug. 1 event". MMA Junkie. June 16, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  33. ^ "UFC shifts Ketlen Vieira vs. Yana Kunitskaya to Aug. 8 event". MMA Junkie. July 15, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  34. ^ Lenny March (July 30, 2020). "Ketlen Viera OUT, Yana Kunitskaya will now face Julija Stoliarenko at UFC's August 8th event". mymmanews.com. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  35. ^ Doherty, Dan (August 8, 2020). "UFC Vegas 6 Results: Yana Kunitskaya Grinds a Victory Against Julija Stoliarenko". Cageside Press. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  36. ^ Junkie, MMA (November 16, 2020). "Ketlen Vieira vs. Yana Kunitskaya rebooked for UFC Fight Night on Feb. 20". MMAJunkie.com. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  37. ^ "UFC Fight Night 185 weigh-in results: Four misses, one fight scrapped". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. February 19, 2021. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  38. ^ Danny Segura (February 19, 2021). "Rafael Alves comes in 11.5 pounds heavy for all-time UFC weight miss; fight scrapped". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved February 19, 2021.
  39. ^ Anderson, Jay (February 20, 2021). "UFC Vegas 19 Results: Striking Trumps Grappling as Kunitskaya Gets by Vieira". Cageside Press. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  40. ^ Mike Heck (May 4, 2021). "Irene Aldana vs. Yana Kunitskaya targeted for UFC 264 in July". mmafighting.com. Retrieved May 4, 2021.
  41. ^ "UFC 264 weigh-in results: One miss on main card, but full lineup set". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. July 9, 2021. Retrieved July 9, 2021.
  42. ^ Anderson, Jay (July 10, 2021). "UFC 264 Results: Irene Aldana Drops Yana Kunitskaya, Secures TKO Finish". Cageside Press. Retrieved July 11, 2021.
  43. ^ Tristen Critchfield (December 17, 2022). "Holly Holm vs. Yana Kunitskaya booked for UFC on ESPN 43". Sherdog.com. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  44. ^ Dylan Rush (March 25, 2023). "UFC San Antonio: Holly Holm uses wrestling in win over Yana Santos". Cageside Press. Retrieved March 25, 2023.
  45. ^ "Macy Chiasson vs. Yana Santos added to UFC Fight Night on July 1". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. June 2, 2023.
  46. ^ Staff (June 17, 2023). "Featherweight clash between Yana Santos and Karol Rosa set for UFC Vegas 76 on July 1". wmmarankings.com. Retrieved June 17, 2023.
  47. ^ Anderson, Jay (July 1, 2023). "UFC Vegas 76: Karol Rosa Takes Split Decision Over Yana Santos". Cageside Press. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  48. ^ Cruz, Guilherme (October 4, 2023). "Norma Dumont moves down to bantamweight, fights Yana Santos on first UFC card of 2024". MMA Fighting. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  49. ^ Nolan King (December 22, 2023). "First UFC event of 2024 hit with multiple changes". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved December 22, 2023.
  50. ^ Hester, Bryson (June 22, 2024). "Top 15 Bantamweights Yana Santos and Chelsea Chandler to Fight at UFC Vegas 95". Cageside Press. Retrieved June 22, 2024.
  51. ^ a b MMA Junkie Staff (August 9, 2024). "UFC on ESPN 61 weigh-in results: Three miss marks, including massive five-pounds botch". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
  52. ^ Jay Anderson (August 10, 2024). "UFC Vegas 95: Yana Santos Back in Win Column with Decision Against Overweight Chelsea Chandler". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved August 10, 2024.
  53. ^ Adam Martin (November 14, 2019). "Thiago Santos credits girlfriend Yana Kunitskaya for helping him recover after Jon Jones fight". bjpenn.com.
  54. ^ "Motherhood, chasing a belt both stiff challenges for these UFC fighters". Los Angeles Times. March 2, 2018. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  55. ^ Athanur, Prateek (October 2, 2021). "Thiago Santos girlfriend: Who is Yana Kunitskaya and how did she meet the Brazilian fighter?". FirstSportz. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  56. ^ "Yana Kunitskaya says she did not fight at UFC 264 while pregnant: 'Mind your own business'". MMA Junkie. August 17, 2021. Retrieved August 17, 2021.
  57. ^ "Yana". Sherdog. Retrieved February 21, 2021.
  58. ^ "UFC 222: Cyborg vs. Kunitskaya | MMA Event". Tapology.
edit
Awards and achievements
Preceded by 3rd Invicta FC Bantamweight Champion
August 31, 2017 – February 7, 2018 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Yana_Santos&oldid=1263904399"