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 | Moscow, Russia | March 1, 1991
Nickname(s) | «Russian Valkyrie» |
Nationality | Russian |
Height | 5 ft 5[1] in (1.65 m) |
Weight | 56.6 kg (125 lb; 8 st 13 lb) |
Division | Flyweight (125 lb) |
Style | Muay Thai, Kickboxing, Kyokushin Karate, Brazilian Jiu Jitsu |
Fighting out of | Moscow, Russia[2] |
Team | American Kickboxing Academy Thailand[2] |
Trainer | Mike Swick (striking coach)[3] Marcio 'Gracinha' Cesar (BJJ coach)[4] |
Years active | 2013–present |
Kickboxing record | |
Total | 11 |
Wins | 9 |
Losses | 2 |
Mixed martial arts record | |
Total | 6 |
Wins | 5 |
By submission | 3 |
By decision | 2 |
Losses | 1 |
By decision | 1 |
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 |
References
- "Anastasia Yankova - Hunter - MMA Fighter Profile | Bellator.Spike.com". Spike.com. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
- "Anastasia Yankova | MMA Fighter Page | Tapology". Tapology. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
- "Could Vogue and Nike athlete Anastasia Yankova be new face of women's MMA?". The Telegraph. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
- "Bellator 152's Yankova More Than Just Pretty Face". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
- Sherdog.com. "Anastasia Yankova MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
- Harris, Scott. "Did Bellator Find Its Own Paige VanZant in Russian Flyweight Anastasia Yankova?". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
- 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
- "Bellator's Anastasia Yankova denies affiliation to neo-Nazi MMA apparel brand".
- Mazique, Brian. "Bellator 152 Results: Winners, Scorecards from Pitbull vs. Souza Card". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
- "Anjela Pink vs Anastasia Yankova Bellator 152 Full Fight MMA Video". MMA-Core. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
- "PHOTO | Anastasia Yankova went to war at Bellator 161 "This is MMA babe" | BJPenn.com". | BJPenn.com. 2016-09-18. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
- "Anastasia Yankova vs Veta Arteaga Bellator 161 Full Fight MMA Video". MMA-Core. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
- "Bellator's Anastasia Yankova returns to action in April". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
- "Anastasia Yankova meets Elina Kallionidou at Bellator 176 in Italy". MMAjunkie. 2017-03-08. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
- Jr., Fernando Quiles (2017-04-08). "Anastasia Yankova Tops Elina Kallionidou by Unanimous Decision". MMA News. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
- "Anastasia Yankova vs Elina Kalliondou Bellator 176 Full Fight MMA Video". MMA-Core. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
- Sherdog.com. "Anastasia Yankova Returns to Face Kate Jackson at Bellator 200 in London on May 25". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-05-26.
- https://mmajunkie.usatoday.com/2018/05/bellator-200-results-kate-jackson-halts-anastasia-yankova-hype-beatdown-mma
- "Nike Wonders What Russian Girls Are 'Made Of'". Get Russia. Retrieved 2017-06-19.
- NikeWomen (2017-02-15), Nike: Из чего же сделаны наши девчонки?, retrieved 2017-06-19
- Sherdog.com. "Anastasia Yankova MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2018-04-15.
External links
- Professional MMA record for Anastasia Yankova from Sherdog
- Anastasia Yankova at Bellator
- Anastasia Yankova at Topology