Biography(references)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. At 12 years old, she began competing in hand-to-hand combat , 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. 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. She then signed a contract with the Invicta Fighting Championships in which only females compete.
Fighter Trivia(references)Kunitskaya is in a relationship with fellow UFC athlete, Thiago Santos. She has a son, Adam, from a previous relationship. Kunitskaya announced on August 16, 2021, that the couple was expecting their first child together, leading to some fans speculating that Kunitskaya was pregnant during her fight against Irene Aldana, which had taken place just a month before, though Kunitskaya denied these claims, and female fighters in Nevada, where the fight took place, are administered pregnancy tests prior to each fight as part of the standard medical screening.
Awards & Accolades
Invicta Fighting Championships: Invicta FC Bantamweight Champion (once)
Invicta Fighting Championships: Performance of the Night (twice) vs. Tonya Evinger and Raquel Pa'aluhi
Invicta Fighting Championships: 2007 UKADO World Champion
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