Anastasia Yankova

Anastasia Yankova (Russian: Анастасия Янькова, born March 1, 1991) is a Russian mixed martial artist and competes in Flyweight division[5] of the Bellator MMA.[1]

Anastasia Yankova
Born (1991-03-01) March 1, 1991
Moscow, Russia
Nickname(s)«Russian Valkyrie»
NationalityRussian
Height5 ft 5[1] in (1.65 m)
Weight56.6 kg (125 lb; 8 st 13 lb)
DivisionFlyweight (125 lb)
StyleMuay Thai, Kickboxing, Kyokushin Karate, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
Fighting out ofMoscow, Russia[2]
TeamAmerican Kickboxing Academy Thailand[2]
TrainerMike Swick (striking coach)[3]
Marcio 'Gracinha' Cesar (BJJ coach)[4]
Years active2013–present
Kickboxing record
Total11
Wins9
Losses2
Mixed martial arts record
Total6
Wins5
By submission3
By decision2
Losses1
By decision1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Background

Yankova was born in Moscow, Russia. She started training in Kyokushin Karate from the age of six to fourteen, inspired by childhood fascination with "Xena: Warrior princess" on TV.[6] She took a few years break from training to concentrate in school and getting into college. She started her training in Muay Thai after a Muay Thai coach at her fitness gym invited her to join his Muay Thai class, and not long after, she started competing in kickboxing tournaments .[4] She later transitioned into MMA after being a Muay Thai Champion. She often trains at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in Thailand.[6][7]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Yankova has two professional MMA fights in Russia prior joining Bellator with the record of 2-0.[5] Yankova's MMA debut came under White Rex, a promotion branded with neo-Nazi symbols.[8]

Bellator MMA

Yankova made her Bellator MMA debut on April 16, 2016 at Bellator 152 in Torino, Italy. She faced Anjela Pink and submitted Pink via armbar in round one.[9][10]

On September 16, 2016, Yankova faced Veta Arteaga at Bellator 161 on a catchweight bout (130 Ibs). She edged out Arteaga with a split decision win.[11][12]

Yankova faced the Greek fighter, Elina Kallionidou, in a catchweight bout (130 Ibs) at Bellator 176 on April 8, 2017 in Torino, Italy.[13][14] After three rounds of battle, judges awarded the win to Yankova with the score card of (29-28, 30,27, 30-27).[15][16]

Yankova faced Kate Jackson on May 25, 2018 for the Bellator 200 event at Wembley Arena.[17] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[18]

Personal life

Yankova is sponsored by Nike and she was featured in Nike Russian "Made of..." sales campaign short film.[19][20]

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
6 matches 5 wins 1 loss
By submission 3 0
By decision 2 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 5—1 Kate Jackson Decision (unanimous) Bellator 200 25 May 2018 3 5:00 The SSE Arena, London, England Flyweight
Win 5—0 Elina Kallionidou Decision (unanimous) Bellator 176 April 8, 2017 3 5:00 Turin, Italy Catchweight (130 Ib)
Win 4—0 Veta Arteaga Decision (split) Bellator 161 September 16, 2016 3 5:00 Cedar Park, Texas, United States Catchweight (130 Ib)
Win 3—0 Anjela Pink Submission (armbar) Bellator 152 April 16, 2016 1 1:35 Turin, Italy Catchweight (130 Ib)
Win 2—0 Chommanee Sor Taehiran Submission (armbar) EFN: Fight Nights Petersburg October 23, 2015 1 2:31 St. Petersburg, Russia Flyweight
Win 1—0 Eleonora Tassinari Submission (scarf hold armlock) White Rex: The Birth of a Nation October 4, 2013 2 0:26 Moscow, Russia

[21]

See also

References
  1. "Anastasia Yankova - Hunter - MMA Fighter Profile | Bellator.Spike.com". Spike.com. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
  2. "Anastasia Yankova | MMA Fighter Page | Tapology". Tapology. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
  3. "Could Vogue and Nike athlete Anastasia Yankova be new face of women's MMA?". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
  4. "Bellator 152's Yankova More Than Just Pretty Face". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
  5. Sherdog.com. "Anastasia Yankova MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
  6. Harris, Scott. "Did Bellator Find Its Own Paige VanZant in Russian Flyweight Anastasia Yankova?". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
  7. AKA Thailand - Phuket Thailand's Premier Muay Thai & MMA Fitness Camp (2016-12-11), Anastasia Yankova Bellator 161 Fight Camp Video - AKA Thailand, retrieved 2017-06-19
  8. "Bellator's Anastasia Yankova denies affiliation to neo-Nazi MMA apparel brand".
  9. Mazique, Brian. "Bellator 152 Results: Winners, Scorecards from Pitbull vs. Souza Card". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
  10. "Anjela Pink vs Anastasia Yankova Bellator 152 Full Fight MMA Video". MMA-Core. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
  11. "PHOTO | Anastasia Yankova went to war at Bellator 161 "This is MMA babe" | BJPenn.com". | BJPenn.com. 2016-09-18. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
  12. "Anastasia Yankova vs Veta Arteaga Bellator 161 Full Fight MMA Video". MMA-Core. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
  13. "Bellator's Anastasia Yankova returns to action in April". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
  14. "Anastasia Yankova meets Elina Kallionidou at Bellator 176 in Italy". MMAjunkie. 2017-03-08. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
  15. Jr., Fernando Quiles (2017-04-08). "Anastasia Yankova Tops Elina Kallionidou by Unanimous Decision". MMA News. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
  16. "Anastasia Yankova vs Elina Kalliondou Bellator 176 Full Fight MMA Video". MMA-Core. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
  17. Sherdog.com. "Anastasia Yankova Returns to Face Kate Jackson at Bellator 200 in London on May 25". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-05-26.
  18. https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2018/05/bellator-200-results-kate-jackson-halts-anastasia-yankova-hype-beatdown-mma
  19. "Nike Wonders What Russian Girls Are 'Made Of'". Get Russia. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
  20. NikeWomen (2017-02-15), Nike: Из чего же сделаны наши девчонки?, retrieved 2017-06-19
  21. Sherdog.com. "Anastasia Yankova MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-04-15.
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