Anastasia Yankova Biography

Anastasia Yankova (born March 1, 1991) is a Russian mixed martial artist and currently competes in Flyweight division in the Bellator MMA.

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. 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 . She later transitioned into MAA after being a Muay Thai Champion. She often trains at American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in Thailand.

Mixed martial arts career

Prior to Bellator MMA

Yankova has two professional MMA fights in Russia prior joining Bellator with the record of 2-0.

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.

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.

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

Personal life

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

Mixed martial arts record

|- | Win | align=center| 5-0 | Elina Kallionidou | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 176 | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Turin, Italy | |- | Win | align=center| 4-0 | Veta Arteaga | Decision (split) | Bellator 161 | | align=center| 3 | align=center| 5:00 | Cedar Park, Texas, United States | |- | Win | align=center| 3-0 | Anjela Pink | Submission (armbar) | Bellator 152 | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 1:35 | Torino, Italy | |- | Win | align=center| 2-0 | Chommanee Sor Taehiran | Submission (armbar) | EFN: Fight Nights Petersburg | | align=center| 1 | align=center| 2:31 | St. Petersburg, Russia | |- | Win | align=center| 1-0 | Eleonora Tassinari | Submission (scarf hold armlock) | White Rex: The Birth of a Nation | | align=center| 2 | align=center| 0:26 | Moscow, Russia | |-

See also

• List of female mixed martial artists
• List of current Bellator fighters