Yana Kunitskaya (now Yana Santos) has carved a path of resilience and toughness in the world of mixed martial arts.
From becoming an Invicta FC champion to battling the biggest names in the UFC bantamweight division, the Russian fighter has remained a staple in the top rankings.
In this article, you will know Yana Kunitskaya’s Net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
Yana Kunitskaya’s Biography
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Yana Josephovna Kunitskaya (Yana Santos) |
| Date of Birth | November 11, 1989 |
| Age | 36 (as of late 2025) |
| Education | Lesgaft National State University of Physical Education |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Weight | 135 lbs (61 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 2009 |
| Net Worth | $1.5 Million – $2 Million (Estimate) |
| Salary/Career Earnings | ~$311,000 (UFC 320 Purse) |
| Husband | Thiago Santos |
| Instagram Profile | @yanamma |
| Twitter Profile | @YanaKunitskaya1 |
Early Career
Yana Kunitskaya was born in Murmansk, Russia, and was immersed in martial arts from a very young age. Her father was a professional skier, and her mother was a gymnast, providing her with a strong athletic foundation.
She began training in Taekwondo at age 12 and later transitioned to Muay Thai and hand-to-hand combat (ARB), winning numerous national championships in Russia.
She made her professional MMA debut in 2009 in Poland, quickly establishing herself as a fierce striker.
After building a solid record on the European circuit, she experienced a temporary retirement in 2012 due to pregnancy and a focus on coaching. She returned to the cage in 2016, a comeback that led her to Invicta FC.
There, she captured the Invicta FC Bantamweight Championship in 2017, a victory that catapulted her onto the UFC’s radar and set the stage for her debut against the legendary Cris Cyborg.
Professional Career
Kunitskaya’s UFC career began with a trial by fire at UFC 222 in 2018, where she stepped in on short notice to fight the dominant champion Cris Cyborg for the featherweight title.
Although she lost that bout, she proved her toughness and dropped back down to her natural weight class of 135 pounds. Over the years, she secured notable victories over veterans like Marion Reneau, Ketlen Vieira, and former champion Holly Holm’s challengers.
The years 2024 and 2025 marked a career resurgence for Yana. After a challenging skid, she bounced back with a dominant winning streak.
In August 2024, she defeated Chelsea Chandler, who notoriously missed weight by five pounds. She continued her momentum into 2025, securing a massive unanimous decision victory over former champion Miesha Tate in May 2025.
She capped off the year with another decisive win against Macy Chiasson at UFC 320 in October 2025, firmly re-establishing herself as a top contender in the division.
Husband
Yana Kunitskaya is married to fellow Brazilian MMA veteran Thiago “Marreta” Santos. The couple’s relationship blossomed through their shared life as professional fighters, and they engaged in late 2020.
They are known as one of MMA’s “power couples,” often training together and cornering each other during fights.
They have a blended family with children from previous relationships. Yana has a son named Adam from a prior relationship, and Thiago also has a son.
In April 2022, the couple welcomed their first child together, a daughter named Alise. Yana has famously spoken about balancing motherhood with the demands of being a top-tier athlete, often bringing her daughter to the gym during training camps.
Yana Kunitskaya’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Yana Kunitskaya’s net worth is estimated to be between $1.5 million and $2 million.
Fight Purses
| Event | Opponent | Result | Est. Purse (Show + Win + Penalty) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UFC 320 (Oct 2025) | Macy Chiasson | Win | ~$311,000 (Includes weight miss penalty) |
| UFC Fight Night (May 2025) | Miesha Tate | Win | ~$150,000 |
| UFC Vegas 95 (Aug 2024) | Chelsea Chandler | Win | ~$140,000 (Includes weight miss penalty) |
| UFC 264 (July 2021) | Irene Aldana | Loss | ~$60,000 |
| UFC 222 (Mar 2018) | Cris Cyborg | Loss | ~$100,000 |
Career Earnings
| Year | Estimated Earnings | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | ~$460,000+ | Wins vs Chiasson & Tate |
| 2024 | ~$140,000 | Win vs Chandler |
| 2023 | ~$60,000 | Loss vs Rosa / Holm |
| 2021 | ~$150,000 | Win vs Vieira / Loss vs Aldana |
| Total | ~$1.5 Million+ | Career Total Estimate |
Endorsements
Yana Santos leverages her social media presence and fighter status for endorsement deals. She is an ambassador for Venum, the official outfitting partner of the UFC, which provides mandatory fight week gear pay (approx. $11,000 per fight for her tenure).
Additionally, she has partnered with nutrition and supplement brands typical of high-level athletes, and she jokingly noted in 2025 that the extra money from opponents missing weight has helped her invest in real estate, further diversifying her income.
Career Stats
| Stat Category | Career Total (as of late 2025) |
|---|---|
| Wins | 18 |
| Losses | 8 |
| No Contests | 1 |
| Knockouts | 7 |
| Submissions | 1 |
| Decisions | 10 |
FAQs
1. Who is Yana Kunitskaya’s husband?
Yana Kunitskaya is married to Thiago Santos, a Brazilian mixed martial artist who has competed in the UFC and PFL light heavyweight divisions. They got married in 2021.
2. What is Yana Kunitskaya’s net worth?
Yana Kunitskaya’s net worth is estimated to be around $1.5 million to $2 million, boosted significantly by her three-fight winning streak and bonuses from 2024 to 2025.
3. Did Yana Kunitskaya beat Miesha Tate?
Yes, Yana Kunitskaya defeated former UFC champion Miesha Tate by unanimous decision on May 3, 2025, at a UFC Fight Night event.
4. How many children does Yana Kunitskaya have?
Yana Kunitskaya has two children: a son named Adam from a previous relationship and a daughter named Alise, whom she welcomed with Thiago Santos in 2022.
5. What happened in the Macy Chiasson fight at UFC 320?
Yana Kunitskaya defeated Macy Chiasson by unanimous decision at UFC 320 in October 2025. Chiasson missed weight for the bout, forfeiting a percentage of her purse to Yana.
