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. Who is Yana Kunitskaya and what is her background in martial arts?
Yana Kunitskaya, also known as Yana Santos, is a Russian professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC bantamweight division. She was born on November 11, 1989, in Murmansk, Russia. Yana began training in taekwondo as a child and later expanded her skills to include Muay Thai and other martial arts. She has held national titles in Russian taekwondo and Muay Thai and is known for her versatile fighting style.
2. What are Yana Kunitskaya’s major career achievements?
Yana Kunitskaya is a former Invicta FC Bantamweight Champion and has also won national championships in Russian taekwondo and Muay Thai. She has earned Performance of the Night honors in Invicta FC and has competed for the UFC women’s featherweight title. Her professional MMA record includes multiple wins by knockout and decision.
3. How did Yana Kunitskaya start her professional MMA career?
Yana made her professional MMA debut on May 23, 2009, at a K-1 World Grand Prix event in Poland, where she won by technical knockout in the first round. She quickly gained recognition by defeating several opponents in Russia and Europe, which led to her signing with Invicta FC and eventually the UFC.
4. What is Yana Kunitskaya’s fighting style and strengths?
Yana Kunitskaya’s fighting style is a blend of taekwondo, Muay Thai, and mixed martial arts. She is known for her strong striking abilities, especially her kicks, and has a black belt in taekwondo. She also has experience in grappling and has won fights by both knockout and submission.
5. Who are some notable opponents Yana Kunitskaya has faced in the UFC?
Yana has faced several high-profile fighters in the UFC, including Cris Cyborg, Holly Holm, Aspen Ladd, Irene Aldana, Ketlen Vieira, and Marion Reneau. She fought Cris Cyborg for the UFC featherweight title and has secured wins over fighters like Ketlen Vieira and Marion Reneau.
6. What is Yana Kunitskaya’s record in the UFC and overall MMA career?
Yana Kunitskaya has competed in over 20 professional MMA bouts, with a record that includes more than 14 wins, several by knockout, and a handful of losses to top-ranked opponents. In the UFC, she has fought at least eight times, with notable victories and some losses to elite fighters.
7. What is known about Yana Kunitskaya’s personal life and family?
Yana was born to athletic parents; her mother, Olga, is a professional gymnast, and her father, Joseph, is a professional skier. She is married to Thiago Santos, a fellow MMA fighter, and they have children together. Yana has balanced her fighting career with motherhood.
8. Has Yana Kunitskaya experienced any significant injuries during her career?
Yana suffered a broken nose during her fight with Marion Reneau, which required a lengthy recovery. Despite the injury, she used the time to improve her wrestling and grappling skills, which helped her prepare for future opponents. She has shown resilience in returning to competition after injuries.
9. What teams and training camps has Yana Kunitskaya been associated with?
Yana has trained with top MMA teams, including Jackson Wink MMA and American Top Team. These camps are known for producing elite fighters and have contributed to her development as a well-rounded mixed martial artist.
10. What are Yana Kunitskaya’s goals and motivations as a fighter?
Yana is motivated by personal growth and the desire to compete at the highest level. She has stated that fighting in the UFC is an important step in her career. She is inspired by people who motivate her daily and aims to continue improving her skills and achieving success in MMA.
