Personal Information
Full Name | Iana Yana Kunitskaya |
Date of Birth | November 11, 1989 |
Age | 33 |
Nationality | Russian |
Nickname | Foxy |
Yana Kunitskaya : A Brief Biography
Yana Kunitskaya (also known as Yana Santos) is a 33-year-old Russian professional fighter competing in the women’s bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship. She is currently the No.6 ranked contender in the weight class.
Santos is a former Invicta FC bantamweight champion.
Latest News Update for Yana Kunitskaya
Yana Kunitskaya lost her fight against Holly Holm via decision at UFC Fight Night: Vera vs. Sandhagen on March 25, 2023, in San Antonio, United States.
Yana Kunitskaya Facts
Birth Place | Murmansk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
Father’s Name | Joseph |
Mother’s Name | Olga Kunitskaya |
Star Sign | Scorpio |
Age | 33 |
Education | Lesgaft National State University of Physical Education, Sport and Health |
MMA Debut | 2009 |
MMA Record | 14-7-0 |
Achievements | Former Invicta FC bantamweight champion |
Partner | Thiago Santos |
Children | 2 |
Social Media | Instagram, Twitter |
Early Life and Career
Iana Yana Kunitskaya was born on November 11, 1989, in Murmansk, Russia. Her father, Joseph was a professional skier, and her mother, Olga Kunitskaya a professional gymnast. She started training in taekwondo during pre-school and gradually got into other forms of martial arts.
Yana Kunitskaya made her professional debut on May 23, 2009, and won the fight via technical knockout in the first round.
On August 31, 2017, Kunitskaya won the Invicta FC bantamweight championship by defeating Raquel Pa’aluhi via unanimous decision.
Yana Kunitskaya’s Career in UFC
Yana Kunitskaya made her octagon debut at UFC 222 against Cris Cyborg for the UFC featherweight championship. She lost the fight via technical knockout in the first round.
Kunitskaya faced Lina Lansberg at UFC 229 and won the fight via unanimous decision.
At UFC Fight Night 146, Kunitskaya won her fight against Marion Reneau via unanimous decision.
On December 7, 2019, Kunistkaya lost her fight against Aspen Ladd via technical knockout.
For her next two fights, Kunitskaya faced Julija Stoliarenko and Ketlen Vieira. She won both bouts via unanimous decision.
Yana Kunitskaya faced Irene Aldana at UFC 264 and lost the fight via technical knockout in the first round.
Yana Kunitskaya Record
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location |
Loss | 14-7-(1) | Holly Holm | Decision | UFC Fight Night: Vera vs. Sandhagen | March 25, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | San Antonio, United States |
Loss | 14–6 (1) | Irene Aldana | TKO (punches) | UFC 264 | July 10, 2021 | 1 | 4:35 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
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 |
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 |
Loss | 10–4 (1) | Cris Cyborg | TKO (punches) | UFC 222 | March 3, 2018 | 1 | 3:25 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States |
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 |
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 |
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 |
Win | 9–2 | Wu Yanan | TKO (punches) | Fightspirit Championship 6 | September 4, 2016 | 2 | 0:32 | St. Petersburg, Russia |
Loss | 8–2 | Zaira Dyshekova | Submission (armbar) | ACB 32: Battle of Lions | March 26, 2016 | 1 | 3:38 | Moscow, Russia |
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 |
Win | 6–1 | Ekaterina Saraykina | TKO (punches) | Verdict Fighting Championship 1 | February 11, 2012 | 1 | 1:05 | Moscow, Russia |
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 |
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 |
Win | 1–0 | Magdalena Jarecka | TKO (punches) | K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 | May 23, 2009 | 1 | 1:38 | Łódź, Poland |
FAQs on Yana Kunitskaya
Q1. Who has Yana Kunitskaya lost to in the UFC?
Yana Kunitskaya has only lost to Cris Cyborg, Aspen Ladd, Irene Aldana, and Holly Holm in the UFC.
Q2. How many fights has Yana Kunitskaya had in the UFC?
Yana Kunitskaya has had eight fights in the UFC so far.
Q3. What is Yana Kunitskaya’s current rank in the UFC?
Yana Kunitskaya is currently the No.6 ranked contender in the bantamweight division of the UFC.
*Last updated on March 27, 2023.