Yana Santos Bio
Yana Santos, born Yana Kunitskaya on November 11, 1989, is a Russian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the women’s bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Nicknamed Foxy, she previously held the Invicta FC Bantamweight Championship and is recognized for her well-rounded striking and grappling skills. As of June 2026, she is ranked among the top contenders in the UFC women’s bantamweight division.
Standing 5 feet 6 inches tall with a 68.5-inch reach, Santos has built a reputation as a durable and technical fighter since turning professional in 2009. Training out of Jackson Wink MMA and American Top Team, she holds a black belt in Taekwondo and is also skilled in Muay Thai, ARB, and Gaidojutsu. She is married to fellow mixed martial artist Thiago Santos and continues to be an active competitor on the international stage.
Yana Santos Career
Early Career (2009–2015)
Yana Santos made her professional MMA debut on May 23, 2009, at a K-1 World Grand Prix event in Poland, defeating Magdalena Jarecka by technical knockout in the first round. She quickly accumulated victories across the European circuit, including a 34-second TKO win over undefeated prospect Cindy Dandois at M-1 Challenge XXII in December 2010. Over the next few years, she competed in promotions across Poland, Lithuania, Russia, and Spain, building a strong regional record.
In August 2012, Santos announced that she was pregnant with her first child, and the following year she stepped away from competition to focus on coaching. She returned to active competition three years later and signed a contract with the Invicta Fighting Championships, marking a new chapter in her professional journey.
Invicta Fighting Championships (2016–2017)
Santos made an immediate impact in Invicta FC, facing champion Tonya Evinger on November 18, 2016, in a bout that was later overturned to a no contest. In the rematch at Invicta FC 22 on March 25, 2017, she was submitted in the second round. Undeterred, Santos bounced back at Invicta FC 25 on August 31, 2017, defeating Raquel Pa’aluhi to claim the vacant Invicta FC Bantamweight Championship.
Her title win established her as one of the premier bantamweights outside the UFC and helped pave the way for her eventual signing with the world’s largest mixed martial arts promotion.
UFC Career (2018–Present)
Santos made her UFC promotional debut at UFC 222 on March 3, 2018, challenging Cris Cyborg for the featherweight title. She was stopped by TKO in the first round but rebounded with back-to-back unanimous decision wins over Lina Länsberg and Marion Reneau in 2018 and 2019. A TKO loss to Aspen Ladd at UFC on ESPN 7 in December 2019 briefly halted her momentum.
She responded with a strong run of decision victories, defeating Julija Stoliarenko at UFC Fight Night 174 and Ketlen Vieira at UFC Fight Night 185. After a TKO loss to Irene Aldana at UFC 264, Santos suffered a unanimous decision defeat to former champion Holly Holm in March 2023. Following a split decision loss to Karol Rosa at UFC on ESPN 48 and a withdrawal from a bout with Norma Dumont in January 2024 due to injury, she returned with a unanimous decision win over Chelsea Chandler at UFC on ESPN 61 in August 2024. In 2025, Santos defeated former champion Miesha Tate at UFC on ESPN 67 and earned another unanimous decision win over Macy Chiasson at UFC 320.
Style and Strengths
Santos is a well-rounded fighter whose foundation in Taekwondo gives her crisp kicking and distance management. Combined with her training in Muay Thai, ARB, and Gaidojutsu, she is comfortable both at range and in the clinch. Her work with Jackson Wink MMA and American Top Team has refined her grappling defense and cardio, allowing her to consistently push a high pace over three rounds.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among her career highlights are capturing the Invicta FC Bantamweight Championship in 2017, challenging Cris Cyborg for the UFC featherweight title in her promotional debut, and earning decision wins over respected veterans such as Miesha Tate, Ketlen Vieira, and Lina Länsberg. Her durability and longevity in the sport remain defining characteristics of her professional journey.
Yana Santos Career Wins
Yana Santos has compiled 17 professional victories across her mixed martial arts career, with wins spanning regional European promotions, Invicta FC, and the UFC. Her finishing rate is balanced, showcasing a mix of knockouts, submissions, and decisions that reflect her versatile skill set.
UFC Highlights
Within the UFC, Santos has secured notable wins over Lina Länsberg, Marion Reneau, Ketlen Vieira, Julija Stoliarenko, Chelsea Chandler, Miesha Tate, and Macy Chiasson. Several of these victories came by unanimous decision, underscoring her ability to outwork opponents across full rounds.
Other Wins & Performances
Outside the UFC, Santos claimed the vacant Invicta FC Bantamweight Championship with a victory over Raquel Pa’aluhi in 2017. Her early career also featured a string of finishes in promotions such as M-1 Challenge, Bushido Hero’s, Verdict Fighting Championship, and Lion’s Fights, establishing her as a rising talent on the European scene.
Yana Santos Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Yana Santos was raised in Murmansk, in northwestern Russia, by a family with a strong athletic heritage. Her mother, Olga Kunitskaya, was a professional gymnast, and her father, Joseph, was a professional skier. She also has a younger sister named Victoria.
Personal Life
Santos is married to Thiago Santos, a former UFC light heavyweight contender who now competes in the Professional Fighters League. The couple became engaged in December 2020 and announced in August 2021 that they were expecting their first child together. Santos also has a son from a previous relationship. She has spent much of her professional career based in Saint Petersburg, Russia.
2025 Season Performance
Yana Santos had a productive 2025 campaign in the UFC women’s bantamweight division. She opened the year with a unanimous decision win over former champion Miesha Tate at UFC on ESPN 67 on May 3, reinforcing her standing among the division’s top contenders. Later in the year, she added another unanimous decision victory over Macy Chiasson at UFC 320 on October 4, continuing her late-career resurgence.
With two decisive wins against high-profile opponents, Santos maintained her place in the UFC bantamweight rankings heading into 2026. Her consistent performances positioned her as a potential title challenger in a deep and competitive division.
Originally scheduled to face Norma Dumont at UFC Fight Night 274 in April 2026, Santos later withdrew from the bout for undisclosed reasons and was replaced by Joselyne Edwards. As she continues to train with Jackson Wink MMA and American Top Team, Santos remains a respected and active presence in women’s mixed martial arts.
