Yana Santos was born on November 11,1989 and is a Russian professional mixed martial artist who competes in the women's bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
35 Facts About Yana Santos
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Yana Santos was born in 1989 in Murmansk, Murmansk Oblast, in northwestern Russia.
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Yana Santos's mother, Olga Kunitskaya, was a professional gymnast, and her father, Joseph, was a pro skier.
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Yana Santos became involved in martial arts early in her childhood, starting with taekwondo in preschool.
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Yana Santos won numerous tournaments against girls and boys, with many of her fights ending in knockouts.
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When she was 16 years old, Yana Santos went to live and study in St Petersburg and entered the Lesgaft National State University Boxing team.
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Yana Santos made her professional MMA debut on May 23,2009, at a K-1 World Grand Prix event in Poland.
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Yana Santos defeated Magdalena Jarecka by technical knockout in the first round.
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On November 19,2011, Yana Santos faced Arune Lauzeckaite at Bushido Hero's World Grand Prix Lithuania, winning by TKO in the first round.
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In 2012, Yana Santos faced Ekaterina Saraykina at the Verdict Fighting Championship on February 11, winning by TKO in the first round.
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Yana Santos was scheduled to face Danielle West at Starlight Events: Gladiator World Cup 2012 on July 6 in Marbella, Spain, but the event was cancelled.
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Yana Santos then signed a contract with the Invicta Fighting Championships.
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Yana Santos defeated Tonya Evinger for the Invicta FC Bantamweight title on November 18,2016.
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Yana Santos faced Evinger in a rematch in the main event of Invicta FC 22 on March 25,2017, and lost by a rear-naked choke submission in the second round.
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Yana Santos defeated Raquel Pa'aluhi at Invicta FC 25 on August 31,2017, to win the vacant Invicta FC Bantamweight Championship.
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Yana Santos made her UFC promotional debut at UFC 222 on March 3,2018, against Cris Cyborg for the featherweight title.
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Yana Santos lost the fight via TKO at 3:25 in the first round.
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Yana Santos then faced Marion Reneau on March 9,2019, at UFC Fight Night 146.
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Yana Santos faced Aspen Ladd on December 7,2019, at UFC on ESPN 7.
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Yana Santos lost the fight by technical knockout at 0:33 in round three.
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Yana Santos was scheduled to fight Ketlen Vieira on August 1,2020, at UFC Fight Night: Holm vs Aldana, but the fight was later moved to UFC Fight Night 174 on August 8,2020.
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Yana Santos won the fight via unanimous decision.
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Yana Santos won the fight via unanimous decision.
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Yana Santos faced Irene Aldana on July 10,2021, at UFC 264.
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Yana Santos lost the fight via technical knockout at 4:35 in round one.
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Yana Santos faced former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion Holly Holm on March 25,2023, at UFC on ESPN 43.
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Yana Santos lost the fight via unanimous decision.
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Yana Santos was scheduled to face The Ultimate Fighter: Heavy Hitters women's featherweight winner Macy Chiasson on July 1,2023, at UFC on ESPN 48 However, Chiasson withdrew two weeks after the fight announcement.
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Yana Santos was replaced by Karol Rosa in a featherweight bout.
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Yana Santos was scheduled to face Norma Dumont on January 13,2024, at UFC Fight Night 234.
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Yana Santos faced Chelsea Chandler on August 10,2024, at UFC on ESPN 61.
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Yana Santos was scheduled to face former UFC Women's Bantamweight Champion Miesha Tate on May 3,2025, at UFC on ESPN 67.
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Yana Santos is married to former UFC and current Professional Fighters League fighter Thiago Yana Santos.
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Some fans had speculated that Yana Santos was pregnant during her fight against Irene Aldana, which had taken place a month earlier.
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Yana Santos noted that female fighters in Nevada, where the fight occurred, are required to undergo pregnancy tests as part of the standard medical screening before each fight.