Mixed martial arts is often more than just a test of strength. It is a story of perseverance, reinvention, and tenacity. And for Yana Santos, the forthcoming UFC Fight Night on May 3 is a critical chapter in her story. ‘Foxy’ is set to face Miesha Tate in a bantamweight encounter in Des Moines, Iowa, with a win potentially propelling her closer to the upper echelon of the division. But before she returns to the Octagon, many fans are intrigued about her background and the foundation that has formed her fighting career.

From the cold mountains of Murmansk to the global stage of the UFC, Santos’s rise has been propelled by discipline, heritage, and an early start in martial arts. As she prepares to confront one of the division’s veterans, questions about her background and beliefs have once again come into focus. So, who is Yana Santos outside the cage? Let’s find out!

What is Yana Santos’ ethnicity and nationality?

Yana Santos was born in 1989 in Murmansk, a remote port city in Russia’s northeastern region. She is of Russian nationality and heritage, having grown up in a household where sports and competition were part of everyday life. Her mother, Olga Kunitskaya, was a professional gymnast, and her father, Joseph, was an accomplished skier. Santos’ family history of athleticism made it only logical that she pursued a career in combat sports. Her martial arts journey began with taekwondo when she was in preschool, and she swiftly rose to prominence with knockout victories over other boys.

By the age of 12, she had progressed to hand-to-hand combat, displaying early glimpses of her aggressive and tactical abilities. At 16, she moved to St. Petersburg for more training and eventually joined the elite Lesgaft National State University Boxing team. By the age of 18, she had taken up MMA and planned to compete professionally.

Before her UFC debut, ‘Foxy’ rose to prominence on the European circuit, eventually winning the Invicta FC bantamweight gold. Her success internationally led her to the biggest MMA promotion in the world, where she currently competes in the women’s bantamweight division. As of May 2025, she is #10 in the UFC rankings, and she hopes to climb even higher with each fight.

Which religion does Yana Santos follow?

Although Yana Santos’ religious beliefs have not been officially publicized, her cultural background provides some insights. Yana Kunitskaya was born in Russia, where Russian Orthodox Christianity is the prevalent faith. It’s possible she was brought up in that tradition, but she hasn’t discussed her personal faith or spiritual practices in interviews. Her current surname, ‘Santos,’ has piqued fans’ interest because of its strong Christian overtones. The name ‘Santos’ comes from Spanish and Portuguese-speaking nations and is traditionally given to children born on All Saints’ Day.

It also refers to cathedrals or shrines devoted to all saints, emphasizing their religious significance. However, it is vital to emphasize that Santos acquired this surname through her marriage to former light heavyweight title challenger Thiago Santos, rather than birth. Given this, her religious identity is most likely based on her Russian upbringing rather than the Christian symbolism of her married name. In contrast to many fighters who openly discuss their beliefs, ‘Foxy’ has chosen to keep this area of her life secret.

So, it is unclear whether religion has a substantial impact on her fighting mindset. Yana Santos is preparing for what could be a defining moment in her career. Facing a veteran and former 135lbs champ like Miesha Tate is more than just about rising the rankings; it’s about making a point. Can the Russian bantamweight continue her rise and become the division’s elite? Let us know in the comments!