Yan Xiaonan


Yan Xiaonan is a Chinese mixed martial artist. She is the first Chinese female fighter signed by Ultimate Fighting Championship and currently competes in the Strawweight division in the UFC. As of June 16, 2020, she is #10 in the UFC women's strawweight rankings.

Background

Yan attended Xi'an Sports University and was introduced to an MMA program by her coach Xuejun Zhao in 2009.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Yan began training martial arts at the age of 13. She started her professional MMA career in 2009 and she has fought in various promotions, most notably Road Fighting Championship. She amassed a record of 7-1, before signing with the UFC.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Yan was the first Chinese female fighter signed by UFC.
Yan made her UFC debut on November 25, 2017 against Kailin Curran at. She won the fight via unanimous decision.
Her next fight came on June 23, 2018 at against Nadia Kassem; however she was replaced by Viviane Pereira due to injury. She won the fight via unanimous decision.
Yan faced Syuri Kondo on November 24, 2018 at. She won the fight via unanimous decision.
Yan was expected to face Felice Herrig on June 8, 2019 at UFC 238. However, on April 30, 2019 it was reported that Herrig suffered from a torn ACL and pull from the event. Herrig was replaced by Angela Hill. Yan won the fight by unanimous decision.
Yan was scheduled to face Ashley Yoder on October 26, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 20. However, Yan pulled out of the fight in late-September citing a foot injury. She was replaced by Randa Markos.
Yan faced Karolina Kowalkiewicz on February 22, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 168. She won the fight by unanimous decision.
Yan talked of difficulty leading up to the Kowalkiewicz fight due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic in China. She and her team moved her camp to Thailand to train for the fight.
Yan is scheduled to face Claudia Gadelha on September 26, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 179.

Mixed martial arts record