Yan Xiaonan

BIOGRAPHY

Yan Xiaonan is a Chinese mixed martial artist who competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). She is currently signed to the UFC’s women’s strawweight division and has won nine of her ten professional wins by decision. Yan first began competing in China’s Kunlun Fight promotion, then made her way to the UFC where she has quickly risen up the ranks and become one of the most promising fighters on their roster.

Born in June 1992 in Sanya, Hainan Province, China, Yan started participating in Taekwondo from an early age and continued training until she reached college. She was initially studying accounting but decided to pursue a career as a professional fighter after joining MMA school Sanda League upon graduation. Under their guidance, Yan quickly rose up through China’s regional circuits before making her professional debut with Kunlun Fight back in 2014. Over there she captured two titles – including one for bantamweight – plus five more victories within three years before getting noticed by the UFC scouting team.

In 2017, at just 25 years old, Yan made history when she became only the second Chinese woman ever signed to compete under this promotion’s banner alongside Zhang Weili (who would later become champion). Her official debut match came against Kailin Curran at UFC Fight Night Shanghai and went on to win via unanimous decision; setting off what would eventually be a five-fight winning streak that included notable names such as Syuri Kondo or Viviane Pereira among others. By 2020 all but one of these bouts had gone past regulation time; showcasing how complex and challenging each match can be for any athlete striving for excellence inside this Octagon stage.

Currently standing as no less than #9 on women’s strawweight rankings list worldwide – with many expecting even greater heights reachable soon – it seems like we can expect plenty more from this young fighter who already stated being grateful towards all those who have supported her journey so far: “I consider my success not only mine but also belong[ing] to those people that help me during hard times… I appreciate them very much!”