Born on November 11, 1989, in Murmansk, Russia. Yana Kunitskaya (Yana Santos) is a well-known mixed martial arts (MMA) figure.
Competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) women’s bantamweight division, she has made a name for herself with her impressive skills and determination.
This article will teach Yana Kunitskaya’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Yana Kunitskaya’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Yana Kunitskaya (also known as Yana Santos) |
| Date of Birth | November 11, 1989 |
| Age | 34 years old |
| Birthplace | Murmansk, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Weight | 135 lb (61 kg) |
| Division | Bantamweight, Featherweight |
| Reach | 68.5 in (174 cm) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Style | Taekwondo, Muay Thai, ARB, Gaidojutsu |
| Team | Jackson Wink MMA, American Top Team |
| Rank | Black belt in Taekwondo |
| Professional MMA Record | 15 wins, 8 losses, 1 no contest |
| Wins by Knockout | 7 |
| Wins by Submission | 1 |
| Wins by Decision | 7 |
| Spouse | Thiago Santos (UFC fighter) |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Lesgaft National State University of Physical Education, Sport and Health |
| Social Media | Instagram, Twitter |
Yana Kunitskaya was introduced to martial arts at a young age. Her mother, Olga Kunitskaya, was a professional gymnast, and her father, Joseph, was a professional skier.
This athletic background influenced Yana’s early interest in sports. She began training in taekwondo during her preschool years and quickly excelled, winning numerous tournaments.
Early Life
At 12, Yana started competing in hand-to-hand combat, remaining undefeated.
Her passion for martial arts led her to move to St. Petersburg at 16, where she joined the Lesgaft National State University of Physical Education, Sport and Health, focusing on boxing.
By 18, she had transitioned to mixed martial arts, setting the stage for her professional career.
Professional Career
Yana Kunitskaya’s professional MMA career began in 2009, and she quickly rose through the ranks to become a formidable competitor.
Kunitskaya made her UFC debut at UFC 222 against Cris Cyborg for the UFC Women’s Featherweight Championship. She lost the fight via technical knockout in the first round.
She has faced top-tier opponents, including Cris Cyborg, Aspen Ladd, and Holly Holm.
Her fight against Cris Cyborg for the UFC featherweight championship at UFC 222 was particularly noteworthy despite ending in a loss.
Before joining the UFC, Yana held the Invicta FC Bantamweight Championship. She also won titles in Fight Nights Global and ProFC.
Spouse
Yana is married to Thiago Santos, a former UFC fighter and current Professional Fighters League (PFL) competitor.
The couple got engaged in December 2020 and announced the birth of their child in 2021. Yana also has a son from a previous relationship.
Yana Kunitskaya’s Net Worth Details
Yana Kunitskaya’s net worth is estimated to be $1 million as of 2025.
UFC Contract
- Signing with UFC: Yana Kunitskaya signed with the UFC in early 2018. Her debut fight was against Cris Cyborg for the UFC Women’s Featherweight Championship at UFC 222.
- Fights in UFC: Since joining the UFC, she has competed in several high-profile bouts, including fights against Lina Lansberg, Marion Reneau, Aspen Ladd, Ketlen Vieira, and Irene Aldana.
Fight Earnings
| Event | Opponent | Date | Result | Base Salary | Win Bonus | Sponsorship | Total Payout |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UFC 264 | Irene Aldana | July 10, 2021 | Loss | $62,400 | $0 | $6,000 | $68,400 |
| UFC Fight Night: Blaydes vs. Lewis | Ketlen Vieira | February 20, 2021 | Win | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
| UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Oleinik | Julija Stoliarenko | August 8, 2020 | Win | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified | Not specified |
Endorsements
- Tuuwa: Yana Kunitskaya is partnered with Tuuwa, a company known for its plant-based relief products. This partnership involves using Tuuwa’s products to aid her training and recovery processes. Tuuwa products relieve tension and support recovery from sports injuries and chronic conditions.
- Training and Recovery: The partnership with Tuuwa highlights the importance of recovery in Kunitskaya’s training regimen. She uses their products to enhance her performance and maintain her physical health.
Fight Stats
| Result | 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, USA | 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, USA | 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, USA | |
| Loss | 14–6 (1) | Irene Aldana | TKO (punches) | UFC 264 | July 10, 2021 | 1 | 4:35 | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | 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, USA | 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, USA | |
| Loss | 12–5 (1) | Aspen Ladd | TKO (punches) | UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Rozenstruik | December 7, 2019 | 3 | 0:33 | Washington, D.C., USA | |
| Win | 12–4 (1) | Marion Reneau | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. dos Santos | March 9, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Wichita, Kansas, USA | |
| Win | 11–4 (1) | Lina Länsberg | Decision (unanimous) | UFC 229 | October 6, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | Return to Bantamweight. |
| Loss | 10–4 (1) | Cris Cyborg | TKO (punches) | UFC 222 | March 3, 2018 | 1 | 3:25 | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA | 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, USA | 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, USA | 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, USA | Originally, it was a submission (armbar) win for Kunitskaya, but it was overturned after Evinger appealed the loss due to a controversial referee call. Performance of the Night. |
FAQs
1. What is Yana Kunitskaya’s nationality and MMA fighting division?
Kunitskaya is a Russian mixed martial artist who primarily competes in the women’s bantamweight division, known for her striking and clinch control against elite competition.
2. What is Kunitskaya’s professional MMA record and primary methods of victory?
She has a professional record of 17 wins, 8 losses, and 1 no contest. Kunitskaya secured 7 victories by knockout, 1 by submission, and 9 by decision throughout her career.
3. Which major organizations has Kunitskaya fought for?
Kunitskaya competed in the UFC, Invicta FC, and the Russian regional circuit, achieving world title status in Invicta and fighting multiple main events in the UFC.
4. What are Kunitskaya’s most significant career accomplishments?
She captured the Invicta FC Bantamweight Championship, earned Performance of the Night bonuses twice, and challenged for the UFC featherweight title against Cris Cyborg in 2018.
5. Who are some notable opponents Kunitskaya has faced?
She fought top-tier fighters including Cris Cyborg, Holly Holm, Aspen Ladd, Irene Aldana, Miesha Tate, and Tonya Evinger, often headlining or featuring in high-profile UFC events.
6. What is Kunitskaya’s fighting style and main strengths?
Kunitskaya is an orthodox striker with strong clinch ties, solid Muay Thai, and taekwondo foundation, which she combines with physical durability and tactical pressure.
7. Where does Kunitskaya train, and what is her fight camp?
She trains out of American Top Team in Albuquerque, New Mexico, gaining access to world-class coaching and high-level sparring partners for preparation.
8. Has Kunitskaya experienced any significant setbacks in her career?
Kunitskaya has lost to former champions by knockout (Cris Cyborg, Aspen Ladd, Irene Aldana), by submission (Tonya Evinger), and by split and unanimous decision, but continues to rebound with wins.
9. What are Kunitskaya’s best recent victories or fight streaks?
She defeated Macy Chiasson, Miesha Tate, and Chelsea Chandler in consecutive bouts from August 2024 to October 2025, all by unanimous decision.
10. What goals does Kunitskaya pursue as her MMA career continues?
Kunitskaya aims for a return to title contention, continued main event spots, and to further establish herself as one of Russia’s most successful female MMA fighters.
