Yana Santos: The Toughness and Technical Powerhouse in the UFC Featherweight Division
Yana "Foxy" Santos, born November 11, 1989 in Murmansk, Russia, is a versatile and powerful mixed martial artist (MMA) who competes in the UFC's featherweight and bantamweight divisions. Santos, formerly known by her birth name Yana Kunitskaya, is a former Invicta FC bantamweight champion and is known for her strong clinch game, powerful striking, and determination in the octagon. Santos has fought against some of the best female fighters in the world for years and remains one of the most respected competitors in her divisions.
Early Life and Career
Yana Santos began martial arts at a young age in Russia, where she trained in various disciplines including taekwondo, Muay Thai, and later the popular sambo and kickboxing. Her diverse martial arts background gave her a solid foundation to pursue an MMA career, and she began fighting professionally in 2009.
Santos fought in several European and Russian promotions before making her international breakthrough in Invicta FC, a leading women's MMA organization. In 2017, she won the Invicta FC bantamweight title by defeating Raquel Pa'aluhi, which cemented her status as a top fighter in female MMA.
UFC Career
Yana Santos made her UFC debut in March 2018 in a marquee challenge against then UFC featherweight champion Cris Cyborg at UFC 222. Though she lost the fight via TKO in the first round, Santos showed her toughness and willingness to take on the best fighters in the sport.
After her debut, Santos moved up to the bantamweight division, where she posted a string of impressive wins against tough competitors such as Marion Reneau, Lina Länsberg and Ketlen Vieira. Her powerful clinch game, combined with her ability to take fights to the ground and maintain control, made her a consistent threat in the division.
In July 2021, Santos fought for the UFC bantamweight title against former champion Holly Holm, but lost via unanimous decision. Despite the loss, she remains a respected competitor in both the UFC's bantamweight and featherweight divisions.
Style and Technique
Yana Santos is known for her strong clinch work and her ability to put pressure on her opponents. Her Muay Thai background makes her dangerous in clinch situations, where she uses elbows and knees to damage her opponents. She is also effective at controlling her opponent against the cage, often working towards takedowns to control fights on the ground.
Santos has solid striking skills, particularly in her kicks and powerful combinations, which she uses to create distance and build attacks. While she is not known for her explosive knockouts, she relies on her technical precision and ability to build damage throughout the fight.
On the ground, Santos is a capable grappler with a strong emphasis on control. Her sambo background helps her work toward dominant positions and enforce ground-and-pound to win rounds or end fights.
Major Victories
One of Yana Santos' most notable victories was her win over Ketlen Vieira at UFC Fight Night 185 in February 2021. The victory, which came via unanimous decision, was a key achievement in her rise to the top of the bantamweight division.
Additionally, her 2020 win over Marion Reneau was key in cementing her position as one of the top competitors in the division.
Personal Life
Yana Santos is married to UFC fighter Thiago Santos, a well-known force in the light heavyweight division. Together they form one of the most powerful couples in the UFC. They have a daughter together and Santos balances her fighting career with her family life.
Future Ambitions
Yana Santos remains focused on regaining her status as a top contender in the UFC bantam and featherweight divisions. With her technical skills and experience, she remains a constant threat to everyone in the division. Santos has ambitions to fight for the UFC title once again and hopes to regain her championship status.
Conclusion
Yana Santos is a tough, versatile fighter with an impressive career in the UFC. Her strong clinch game, solid striking and grappling make her a formidable competitor in both the bantam and featherweight divisions. As she continues to work her way up, Santos remains a fighter to watch for her ability to compete against the best fighters in the sport.
