Anastasia Yankova is one of the rising stars in Bellator MMA’s flyweight division. The 27-year-old, who was born in Moscow, Russia, knows what it takes to become a world champion, but she is still young in her mixed martial arts career. After training in Kyokushin Karate from ages 6 to 14, thanks to her love of “Xena: Warrior Princess,” Yankova eventually turned to Muay Thai. She was invited to Muay Thai class by a coach at her fitness gym and it didn’t take long to begin competing.
Yankova soon began competing in kickboxing tournaments and went on to become a Muay Thai world champion. Her professional kickboxing record is 9-2.
She then made the switch to MMA in October 2015, fighting against Eleonora Tassinari at White Rex: The Birth of a Nation. She won her professional debut via submission (scarf hold armlock). She then took a two-year hiatus from MMA, and returned to score an armbar victory over Chommanee Sor Taehiran. After going 2-0, Yankova signed with Bellator and has since fought three bouts for the promotion at a 130-pound catchweight. In those three bouts, Yankova has scored a unanimous decision, split decision, and armbar to advance to 5-0.
The Russian returns to action Friday, May 25 at Bellator 200 against Kate Jackson. The bout is set to open the main card which airs on the Paramount Network. The event was initially set to be headlined by a heavyweight scrap between Roy Nelson and Mirko Cro Cop, but an injury forced Cro Cop out of the fight and Nelson was pulled after Bellator failed to secure a last-minute opponent.
The new main event for Bellator MMA is now a middleweight championship fight between Rafael Carvalho and Gegard Mousasi. In the co-main event, the always exciting Michael Page takes on David Rickels.