Yana Kunitskaya

Yana Kunitskaya (born November 11, 1989) is a Russian mixed martial artist in the bantamweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). As December 16, 2019, she is #8 in the UFC women's bantamweight rankings.[2]

Yana Kunitskaya
Born (1989-11-11) November 11, 1989
Murmansk, Murmansk Oblast, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Other namesFoxy
NationalityRussian
Height5 ft 8 in (1.73 m)
Weight135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st)
DivisionFeatherweight
Bantamweight
Reach68.5 in (174 cm)[1]
StyleTaekwondo, Muay Thai, ARB, Gaidojutsu
Fighting out ofSaint Petersburg, Russia
TeamJackson Wink MMA Academy
Mixed martial arts record
Total19
Wins13
By knockout7
By submission1
By decision5
Losses5
By knockout2
By submission2
By decision1
No contests1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Biography

Yana Kunitskaya was born in 1989, in the city of Murmansk, Murmansk Oblast, in northwestern Russia. Her mother, Olga Kunitskaya, was a professional gymnast and her father, Joseph, was a professional skier. She has a younger sister, Victoria. Yana became involved in martial arts early in her childhood, starting with taekwondo at preschool age, and won numerous tournaments among both girls and boys, with many fights ending in knockouts.[3] At 12 years old, she began competing in hand-to-hand combat (Russian: рукопашный бой), participating in a large number of fights without suffering a defeat. When she was 16 years old, Kunitskaya went to live and study in St. Petersburg, and entered the SPGUFK team at Lesgaft National State University of Physical Education, Sport and Health, Department of Boxing. At age 18, she started practicing mixed martial arts (MMA).

On August 9, 2012, Kunitskaya announced that she was pregnant with her first child.[4] In August 2013, she announced the end of her sports career and her transition to coaching, but she came out of retirement three years later.[5] She then signed a contract with the Invicta Fighting Championships (IFC or Invicta FC) in which only females compete.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Kunitskaya made her professional mixed-martial-arts debut on May 23, 2009, at a K-1 World Grand Prix event in Poland. She defeated Magdalena Jarecka by technical knockout (TKO) in the first round. After winning two of her next three fights, Kunitskaya faced unbeaten prospect Cindy Dandois at M-1 Challenge XXII on December 10, 2010. She defeated Dandois by TKO in 34 seconds.[6] On November 19, 2011, Kunitskaya faced Arune Lauzeckaite at Bushido Hero's: World Grand Prix Lithuania, winning by TKO in the first round.[7]

In 2012, Kunitskaya faced Ekaterina Saraykina at Verdict Fighting Championship 1 on February 11,[8] defeating Saraykina by TKO in the first round.[9] In March, she faced Anna Melikhova at Lion's Fights 1[10] and won by unanimous decision after two rounds.[11] She then defeated Sylwia Kusiak by TKO in round one at Baltic Arena in Koszalin, Poland, in June.[12] Kunitskaya was scheduled to face Danielle West at Starlight Events: Gladiator World Cup 2012 on July 6 in Marbella, Spain,[12] but the event was cancelled.[13]

Kunitskaya had fought almost exclusively in Russia,[14][15] and built her record to 9 wins and 2 losses before signing to Invicta FC.

Invicta Fighting Championships

Yana defeated Tonya Evinger for the Invicta FC Bantamweight title on November 18, 2016.[16][17] On December 1, the win was overturned to a no contest, so Evinger retained her title.[18] Kunitskaya faced Evinger in a rematch in the main event of Invicta FC 22 on March 25, 2017, and lost by submission in the second round.

Kunitskaya defeated Raquel Pa'aluhi at Invicta FC 25 on August 31, 2017, to win the vacant Invicta FC Bantamweight Championship.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Kunitskaya made her Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) promotional debut at UFC 222 on March 3, 2018, against Cris Cyborg for the featherweight title.[19] She lost the fight by TKO in the first round.[20]

Kunitskaya next faced Lina Länsberg on October 6, 2018, at UFC 229.[21] She won the fight via unanimous decision[22]

Kunitskaya then faced Marion Reneau on March 9, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 146.[23] She won the fight by unanimous decision.[24]

Kunitskaya faced Aspen Ladd on December 7, 2019 at UFC on ESPN 7.[25] She lost the fight via technical knockout in round three.[26]

Kunitskaya was scheduled to face Ketlen Vieira on August 1, 2020 at UFC Fight Night: Holm vs. Aldana.[27] and on July 15, 2020, it was announced that the bout was moved to UFC Fight Night 174 on August 8, 2020.[28] Subsequently, Vieira was removed from the card on July 30 for undisclosed reasons and replaced by Julija Stoliarenko.[29] She won the fight via unanimous decision.[30]

The bout with Ketlen Vieira has been rescheduled and is expected to take place on February 20, 2021 at UFC Fight Night 185.[31]

Personal life

Kunitskaya is in a relationship with fellow UFC athlete, Thiago Santos.[32] The pair got engaged in December, 2020.[33]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
19 matches 13 wins 5 losses
By knockout 7 2
By submission 1 2
By decision 5 1
No contests 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 13–5 (1) Julija Stoliarenko Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. Oleinik August 8, 2020 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States
Loss 12–5 (1) Aspen Ladd TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Overeem vs. Rozenstruik December 7, 2019 3 0:33 Washington, D.C., United States
Win 12–4 (1) Marion Reneau Decision (unanimous) UFC Fight Night: Lewis vs. dos Santos March 9, 2019 3 5:00 Wichita, Kansas, United States
Win 11–4 (1) Lina Länsberg Decision (unanimous) UFC 229 October 6, 2018 3 5:00 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Return to Bantamweight.
Loss 10–4 (1) Cris Cyborg TKO (punches) UFC 222 March 3, 2018 1 3:25 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States 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, United States 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, United States 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, United States For the Invicta FC Bantamweight Championship. Originally a submission (armbar) win for Kunitskaya; overturned after Evinger appealed the loss due to a controversial referee call. Performance of the Night.
Win 9–2 Wu Yanan TKO (punches) Fightspirit Championship 6 September 4, 2016 2 0:32 St. Petersburg, Russia Bantamweight debut.
Loss 8–2 Zaira Dyshekova Submission (armbar) ACB 32: Battle of Lions March 26, 2016 1 3:38 Moscow, Russia Catchweight (137 lb) bout. Performance of the Night.
Win 8–1 Sylwia Kusiak TKO (corner stoppage) Baltic Arena June 15, 2012 1 0:50 Koszalin, Poland
Win 7–1 Anna Melikhova Decision (unanimous) Lion's Fights 1: The Beginning March 3, 2012 2 5:00 Saint Petersburg, Russia Lightweight bout.
Win 6–1 Ekaterina Saraykina TKO (punches) Verdict Fighting Championship 1 February 11, 2012 1 1:05 Moscow, Russia Featherweight bout.
Win 5–1 Arune Lauzeckaite TKO (punches) Bushido Lithuania: Hero's Lithuania 2011 November 19, 2011 1 1:34 Vilnius, Lithuania
Win 4–1 Cindy Dandois TKO (punches) M-1 Challenge 22 December 10, 2010 1 0:34 Moscow, Russia Featherweight bout.
Win 3–1 Kamila Bałanda TKO (punches) Bushido Lithuania: Hero's Lithuania 2010 November 20, 2010 1 4:26 Vilnius, Lithuania
Loss 2–1 Maria Hougaard Djursaa Decision (unanimous) FG 14: Ice Cold May 29, 2010 3 5:00 Odense, Denmark
Win 2–0 Vladena Yavorskaya Submission (rear-naked choke) Bushido FC Legends November 28, 2009 1 3:20 Saint Petersburg, Russia Featherweight bout.
Win 1–0 Magdalena Jarecka TKO (punches) K-1 World Grand Prix 2009 May 23, 2009 1 1:38 Łódź, Poland

[34]

References
  1. "yana-kunitskaya". UFC. com. Retrieved December 11, 2018.
  2. "Rankings | UFC". www.ufc.com. Retrieved December 18, 2019.
  3. "Who is Yana Kunitskaya, UFC 222's mystery headliner?". Retrieved September 8, 2018.
  4. "Yana Kunitskaya Announces Pregnancy, Out Until Mid-2013". MMARising.com. August 9, 2012. Retrieved August 11, 2012.
  5. "Яна Куницкая: "Займусь ли я еще своей спортивной карьерой – точно сказать не могу"". Retrieved March 5, 2017.
  6. "Yana Kunitskaya Upsets Cindy Dandois At M-1 Challenge 22". MMARising.com. December 10, 2010. Retrieved October 8, 2011.
  7. "Yana Kunitskaya Stops Arune Lauzeckaite At Bushido Hero's". MMARising.com. November 19, 2011. Retrieved November 19, 2011.
  8. "Yana Kunitskaya Faces Ekaterina Saraykina At Verdict FC 1". MMARising.com. December 16, 2011. Retrieved December 16, 2011.
  9. "Weekend Recap: Yana Kunitskaya Victorious At Verdict FC 1". MMARising.com. February 12, 2012. Retrieved February 12, 2012.
  10. "Yana Kunitskaya To Face Anna Melikhova At Lion's Fights 1". MMARising.com. February 2, 2012. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
  11. "Weekend Recap: Yana Kunitskaya Wins, Esparza-Magana Off". MMARising.com. March 5, 2012. Retrieved March 9, 2012.
  12. "Yana Kunitskaya vs Danielle West Targeted For July 6 In Spain". MMARising.com. June 15, 2012. Retrieved June 15, 2012.
  13. "Weekend Recap: Kunitskaya vs West Scrapped, Promoter Jailed". MMARising.com. July 8, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
  14. MMARising.com. "Yana Kunitskaya Stops Arune Lauzeckaite At Bushido Hero's - MMARising.com". Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  15. "Yana Kunitskaya Still Revelling in Victory Over Dandois - Fight Network". Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  16. "Champ Tonya Evinger vs. Yana Kunitskaya, Champ Angela Hill vs. Kaline Medeiros headline Invicta FC 20". October 13, 2016. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  17. Raimondi, Marc (November 19, 2016). "Invicta 20 results: Kunitskaya stuns champ Evinger". MMA Fighting. Retrieved November 22, 2016.
  18. "Tonya Evinger successfully appeals shocking Invicta FC 20 loss, is once again bantamweight champ". December 1, 2016. Retrieved January 15, 2017.
  19. "Cris Cyborg vs. Yana Kunitskaya, Frankie Edgar vs. Brian Ortega scheduled for UFC 222". MMA Fighting. Retrieved February 8, 2018.
  20. "UFC 222 results: Cris Cyborg tested early, but takes out Yana Kunitskaya in first". MMAjunkie. March 4, 2018. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
  21. Staff (August 6, 2018). "Kunitskaya vs. Lansberg headed to UFC 229 in Las Vegas". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved August 6, 2018.
  22. "UFC 229 play-by-play and live results". MMAjunkie. October 6, 2018. Retrieved October 6, 2018.
  23. Staff (December 12, 2018). "Multiple UFC 233 fights get new dates, locations after Jan. 26 card scratched". mmajunkie.com. Retrieved December 12, 2018.
  24. "Yana Kunitskaya takes the nod in bloody battle with Marion Reneau (UFC Wichita Highlights)". MMAWeekly.com. March 10, 2019. Retrieved March 10, 2019.
  25. Gonzalez, Gabriel (August 9, 2019). "UFC Washington D.C. Adds Aspen Ladd vs. Yana Kunitskaya, Claudia Gadelha vs. Cynthia Cavillo". Cageside Press. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  26. Doherty, Dan (December 7, 2019). "UFC DC Results: Aspen Ladd Finishes Yana Kunitskaya Immediately in Third Round". Cageside Press. Retrieved December 8, 2019.
  27. "UFC adds Ketlen Vieira vs. Yana Kunitskaya to Aug. 1 event". MMA Junkie. June 16, 2020. Retrieved June 17, 2020.
  28. "UFC shifts Ketlen Vieira vs. Yana Kunitskaya to Aug. 8 event". MMA Junkie. July 15, 2020. Retrieved July 15, 2020.
  29. Lenny March (July 30, 2020). "Ketlen Viera OUT, Yana Kunitskaya will now face Julija Stoliarenko at UFC's August 8th event". mymmanews.com. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  30. Doherty, Dan (August 8, 2020). "UFC Vegas 6 Results: Yana Kunitskaya Grinds a Victory Against Julija Stoliarenko". Cageside Press. Retrieved August 9, 2020.
  31. Junkie, MMA (November 16, 2020). "Ketlen Vieira vs. Yana Kunitskaya rebooked for UFC Fight Night on Feb. 20". MMAJunkie.com. Retrieved November 16, 2020.
  32. Adam Martin (November 14, 2019). "Thiago Santos credits girlfriend Yana Kunitskaya for helping him recover after Jon Jones fight". bjpenn.com.
  33. Karim, Saiyed Adeem (December 22, 2020). "Newly engaged Thiago Santos and Yana Kunitskaya try out capoeira". Media Referee. Retrieved December 28, 2020.
  34. Sherdog.com. "Yana". Sherdog. Retrieved December 11, 2019.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.