Brief Introduction of Yana Santos
Yana Santos, formerly known as Yana Kunitskaya, is a distinguished Russian professional mixed martial artist who has made a significant impact in the world of combat sports. Currently competing in the bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), she is recognized for her technical striking, relentless pressure, and well-rounded skill set inside the octagon. Before her tenure in the UFC, Santos held the prestigious title of Invicta FC Bantamweight Champion, solidifying her status as one of the top female fighters globally. Known by the nickname “Foxy,” her journey from the cold northern city of Murmansk, Russia, to the global stage of the UFC is a testament to her dedication, resilience, and lifelong immersion in martial arts. Her career is marked by high-profile bouts and a consistent presence in the upper echelons of her division. Beyond her individual achievements, Yana Santos is also part of a prominent MMA power couple, married to fellow fighter Thiago Santos, balancing a demanding professional career with a rich family life.
Yana Santos Overview
| Full Name | Yana Santos (née Kunitskaya) |
| Date of Birth | November 11, 1989 |
| Age(as of 2025) | 35 |
| Birthplace | Murmansk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Profession | Professional Mixed Martial Artist |
| Husband/Wife | Thiago Santos |
| Family | Olga Kunitskaya (Mother), Joseph (Father), Victoria (Sister), Son (from a previous relationship), Alise Santos (Daughter) |
| Relationship/Affairs(GF/BF) | Not publicly available |
| Net Worth | Estimated to be more than $900,000 |
Early Life and Education of Yana Santos
Yana Santos was born on November 11, 1989, in Murmansk, a port city in the far northwest of Russia. Athleticism is deeply rooted in her family; her mother, Olga Kunitskaya, was a professional gymnast, and her father, Joseph, was a professional skier, providing an environment where sports and competition were integral to her upbringing. Santos embarked on her martial arts journey at a very young age, starting with taekwondo even before preschool. She demonstrated prodigious talent early on, winning numerous tournaments against both girls and boys, with a significant number of her victories coming by way of knockout. At the age of 12, she transitioned to competing in hand-to-hand combat. Seeking to further her athletic and academic pursuits, at 16, Santos moved to St. Petersburg. There, she enrolled at the Lesgaft National State University of Physical Education, Sport and Health and joined its esteemed boxing team. It was at the age of 18 that she began to formally train in mixed martial arts, laying the foundation for her professional career. She holds a black belt in Taekwondo.
Yana Santos’s Career
Yana Santos’s professional mixed martial arts career began on May 23, 2009, with a first-round TKO victory over Magdalena Jarecka at a K-1 World Grand Prix event in Poland. In her early career, she quickly amassed an impressive record, including a notable 34-second TKO win against Cindy Dandois in December 2010. After a string of victories, Santos announced in August 2012 that she was pregnant and would be stepping away from competition to focus on coaching. However, she made her return to the sport three years later, signing with the all-female promotion Invicta Fighting Championships.
Her time in Invicta FC was pivotal. She fought Tonya Evinger for the bantamweight title in November 2016, initially winning the bout before it was overturned to a no-contest. After a submission loss in their rematch, Santos rebounded and captured the vacant Invicta FC Bantamweight Championship on August 31, 2017, by defeating Raquel Pa’aluhi via unanimous decision. This championship victory catapulted her into the global spotlight and led to her signing with the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Santos made her highly anticipated UFC debut on March 3, 2018, in a challenging featherweight title fight against the formidable Cris Cyborg at UFC 222, a bout she lost via TKO in the first round. Undeterred, she returned to the bantamweight division and put together a string of victories against Lina Länsberg at UFC 229 and Marion Reneau. Throughout her UFC tenure, Santos has faced a who’s who of the bantamweight and featherweight divisions, including Holly Holm, Aspen Ladd, and Irene Aldana. Her career has been a display of resilience, as she has consistently bounced back from setbacks. After a three-fight losing streak, she secured a unanimous decision win over Chelsea Chandler in August 2024. She continued this momentum with a significant unanimous decision victory over former champion Miesha Tate in May 2025. In her most recent bout on October 4, 2025, at UFC 320, Santos defeated Macy Chiasson by unanimous decision, marking her third consecutive win.
Yana Santos Personal Life & Family
Yana Santos’s personal life is as integral to her story as her fighting career. She is married to Thiago Santos, a fellow high-level mixed martial artist from Brazil, formerly a UFC light heavyweight title challenger and now competing in the Professional Fighters League (PFL). The couple, who began dating around 2019 and got engaged in December 2020, are a well-known power couple in the MMA community. After their marriage, Yana adopted her husband’s surname. They have built a blended family and now reside and train in Florida at the renowned American Top Team gym. Yana has a son from a previous relationship, and Thiago also has a son. In April 2022, they welcomed their first child together, a daughter named Alise. Santos has spoken about the balance of being a mother and a professional athlete, highlighting the support she receives from her husband. They train together, and Thiago is a constant presence in her corner during fights. The couple also demonstrates a commitment to giving back, running a non-profit organization that teaches MMA to underprivileged children.
Awards and Achievements of Yana Santos
- Invicta FC Bantamweight Champion (One time)
- Invicta FC Performance of the Night (Two times)
- Bushido Women’s MMA Champion (2010)
- Russian Muay Thai Champion (2011)
- Russian Taekwondo Champion (2007)
Yana Santos Net Worth and Income
As of 2025, Yana Santos’s net worth is estimated to be more than $900,000. Her primary sources of income are derived from her career as a professional fighter in the UFC, which includes fight purses, win bonuses, and potential performance bonuses. Additionally, her income is supplemented by various sponsorships and earnings from social media platforms. Her high-profile fights and consistent presence in a major promotion like the UFC contribute significantly to her overall earnings.
Legacy and Influence
Yana Santos has carved out a legacy as a resilient and skilled pioneer in women’s mixed martial arts. Her journey from Russia to the pinnacle of the sport serves as an inspiration for aspiring fighters, particularly women, in her home country and around the world. She has consistently competed at the highest level, facing top-tier opponents and demonstrating longevity in a physically demanding sport. By successfully balancing the roles of a mother and an elite athlete, she challenges traditional narratives and showcases the possibilities for women in professional sports. Her marriage to Thiago Santos creates a unique family dynamic within the MMA world, highlighting the unifying power of sport. Through her performances and her life outside the cage, Yana Santos has established herself as a respected veteran and a positive role model in the MMA community.
Interesting Facts about Yana Santos
- She comes from a highly athletic family; her mother was a professional gymnast and her father was a professional skier.
- She began her martial arts training in taekwondo before she even started preschool.
- Early in her career, she took a three-year hiatus from fighting, during which she was pregnant with her son and focused on coaching, before making a successful return.
- She has competed in multiple weight classes throughout her career, including bantamweight and featherweight.
- Together with her husband, Thiago Santos, she runs a non-profit organization that offers MMA training to children from low-income backgrounds.
Controversies
In November 2016, Yana Santos’s initial Invicta FC Bantamweight Championship win against Tonya Evinger was overturned to a “No Contest” by the Missouri Office of Athletics. The commission ruled that the referee, Mike England, made an “improper stoppage.” This decision resulted in Evinger retaining her title, and a rematch was scheduled. While a point of contention in her career, it was a regulatory decision rather than a personal scandal.
Social Media Presence
- Instagram – Information not disclosed
- Twitter – Information not disclosed
- YouTube – Not publicly available
Final Words about Yana Santos
Yana Santos continues to be a formidable force in the UFC’s bantamweight division. As of late 2025, she is on an impressive winning streak, having defeated top competition and reaffirmed her status as a serious contender. Her journey is a compelling narrative of perseverance, from her early days as a martial arts prodigy in Russia to becoming a world champion and a respected UFC veteran. Balancing a demanding career with motherhood and her partnership with Thiago Santos, she exemplifies the modern female athlete. With her sights set on climbing higher in the rankings, Yana Santos’s future in the sport remains bright as she continues to build upon her already significant legacy. Her story is one of overcoming obstacles, achieving excellence, and finding strength in both her professional and personal life.
