Yana Santos issues statement on her UFC return, reported date and opponent revealed

Yana Santos (formerly known as Yana Kunitskaya) has long been counted among the toughest fighters in the bantamweight and featherweight divisions. 

"Foxy" has now opened up on her long-awaited return to the Octagon, putting forth a statement wherein she's confirmed that she has signed the contract for her next fight. 

Yana Santos, aka Yana Kunitskaya, expresses her elation about her next UFC fight

Yana Santos made her professional MMA debut back in the year 2009 and went from strength to strength as an athlete and fighter. She's primarily competed at bantamweight, whilst also having fought at featherweight and in a few catchweight matches as well. She earned the honor of notching the Invicta FC women's bantamweight championship. 

Moreover, her UFC debut transpired in 2018, which witnessed her face mixed martial arts legend Cris Cyborg for the latter's UFC women's featherweight title. She ended up getting stopped via first-round TKO against Cyborg. Nevertheless, Santos subsequently cemented herself as a prominent fighter in the UFC women's bantamweight division. 

Santos, who hasn't competed in a professional MMA bout since last October, took to her official X handle a few hours ago and posted an update about her highly anticipated comeback. Her X post comprised a photograph of herself, apparently with a pen and documentation, presumably a fight contract. 

The 36-year-old announced that she's signed her next fight's contract, albeit she can't reveal who her opponent is as of yet. She indicated, however, that it'll be the highest-ranked 135-pounder she's clashed against in the UFC. Expressing her gratitude toward the consensus world's premier MMA organization, Santos wrote:

"Signed. Fight contract is official. I can't announce my opponent yet, but I can say this -- this will be the highest-ranked opponent I've ever faced in the UFC bantamweight division. Exactly the kind of opportunity I've been waiting for. Thank you, UFC. Time to get to work." 

✍️ Signed.

Fight contract is official. I can’t announce my opponent yet, but I can say this -this will be the highest-ranked opponent I’ve ever faced in the UFC bantamweight division.

Exactly the kind of opportunity I’ve been waiting for.

Thank you, UFC. Time to get to work.… pic.twitter.com/tVo5pPNSWP

— Yana Santos (@YanaKunitskaya1) August 20, 2026

Yana Santos is reportedly booked to fight Luana Santos at UFC Fight Night 292 this Halloween

Per Ag. Fight, Yana Santos is reportedly scheduled to fight Brazil's Luana Santos. Their women's bantamweight showdown is expected to take place at the UFC Fight Night 292 event, which will transpire at the Meta Apex in Las Vegas on October 31. 

Yana -- who's married to former UFC light heavyweight championship challenger and current PFL MMA staple Thiago Santos -- has lately reaffirmed her goal of winning UFC gold. 

She's riding high on a trio of consecutive victories, having secured unanimous decision wins over Chelsea Chandler, former UFC women's bantamweight champion Miesha Tate, and Macy Chiasson. Her victory over Chiasson is her most recent fight. 

On the other hand, Luana Santos is considered to be one of the top young fighters in the UFC today. The 26-year-old is also, incidentally, on a three-fight winning streak.

The former flyweight combatant has been making waves in the bantamweight division as of late. She submitted Tainara Lisboa and outpointed Melissa Croden last year. It was followed by her next, and latest, fight that saw her defeat Karol Rosa via unanimous decision in June. 

Per the official Meta UFC rankings, Yana Santos stands at the No. 6 position in the women's bantamweight division, whereas Luana Santos is at No. 3.

Ergo, the belief is that their fight's victor would not only bag a top-tier rank, but also possibly insert themselves into the bantamweight title picture -- with reigning champion Kayla Harrison likely to face the returning Amanda Nunes later this year. 

 

BREAKING!
UFC encaminha Luana Santos vs Yana Santos para o dia 31 de outubro, em Las Vegas!

— Ag. Fight (@AgFight) August 20, 2026