Yana Santos’ 11th walk to the octagon will be a dream come true challenge for the Russian veteran, who faces former UFC and Strikeforce titleholder Miesha Tate at UFC Des Moines on May 3.
“Foxy” is a former Invicta FC champion who debuted in the octagon straight in a title fight with Cris Cyborg seven years ago, and racked up a 5-5 record in the organization since. Back to the winning column with a decision over Chelsea Chandler in August 2024, she now fulfills a life-long dream in Iowa.
“It was a dream match for me because I was a fan [of Tate] before I signed up in UFC,” Santos told MMA Fighting. “I was looking her fights and so many other girls and I really like her. That’s why I wanted so much to fight her, as well like other dream matches like Gina Carano or something like this. It’s not like because I hate her, because I love her is why I wanted to fight her.”
Tate won the Strikeforce bantamweight championship in August 2010, when Santos — Yana Kunitskaya at the time — was still 2-1 in the sport. “Cupcake” claimed UFC gold in 2016 when she choked out Holly Holm.
“I couldn’t imagine that I would get to this level, and I couldn’t imagine that one day I have a opportunity to fight her, so for me it’s like a dream come true,” Santos said. “And stylistically, for me it was like a little bit challenge about her takedowns but it’s what makes me excited. I’m growing in my camp and we know what we can wait from her. … For me, it’s to prove that I belong here in UFC.”
Santos said there’s “no surprise” what she and Tate will try to do Saturday night, as Tate “will try to put me down and I will try to knock her out.” Tate hasn’t fought since December 2023, when she snapped a two-fight skid by beating Julia Avila via third-round submission. Santos won’t downplay her victory, but notes that Avila wasn’t in her best condition.
“I don’t want like to take anything from her last performance, but her opponent tore her LCL,” Santos said. “It was a good performance, sure, but I think it’s one of the reasons why Julia didn’t give like so much back, because she couldn’t stand on her knee. But anyway, sure, it was a good performance, amazing performance. It was a long time ago.”
“But I prepare for for best Miesha,” she continued. “I think she’s in good shape. I think she’s in this position when she has to prove that she’s still in this level and that she wants to go to title and all these things. I prepared for hard fight.”
“Foxy” gave birth to her second child on April 2022, with fellow MMA fighter Thiago Santos. She dropped two decisions in a row since then, losing to Holly Holm and Karol Santos before the victory over Chandler, and laments the way she handled her return from pregnancy.
“It’s very hard to come back,” Santos said. “You feel mentally that you’re ready, you want to fight, and you get there and you have losses, especially with nursing, all the things, you can’t sleep, baby needs you so much. First year was tough, but my last fight is probably first one when I felt like myself back and feel like better than ever. I think it’s kind of not like mistake, but it’s challenging to come back fast. You probably could take a little bit more, but I’m happy with everything that happened. It’s challenging, but at same time it gives so much motivation and so much power.”
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