Bellator has always had a knack for finding good talented prospects from Russia. And without a doubt, one of their best rising\u00a0young stars is the undefeated flyweight, Anastasia Yankova.<\/p>\n
Yankova has been a part of the Bellator roster since she debuted for them in 2016 with an impressive quick submission over Anjela Pink. The event also marked her first fight outside of her home country of Russia.<\/p>\n
Despite being a woman and a martial artist, primarily in Muay Thai before starting MMA, getting things started with a career can be tricky. Meaning sometimes you may have to affiliate with questionable groups to get things going as Yankova explained to Denis Geyko of RT<\/a>:<\/p>\n “I want to stress that I am not affiliated <\/em>to any Nazi groups. Nor do I share or have I ever shared Nazi ideology. In 2013, I was invited to take a part in my first professional MMA tournament, which I knew would be broadcast on TV, and include a number of well-known sports figures. That was a chance to start my career and back then I saw no reason to turn down such an opportunity. I received my promised pay and was invited to take a part in photo and video shoots to promote a clothing brand. That was a start any young girl taking her first steps in this sport could only dream of. Especially considering the lack of opportunity to do that in Russia back in those days.<\/em><\/p>\n No, I am not [currently affiliated with that brand].”<\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The brand that Yankova is referring to is called ‘White Rex’ which is a Russian clothing brand aimed at combat sports, similar to Tapology or Affliction. Although the owner has continually denied it, White Rex has been known to targets mainly neo-Nazis. The brand was established in 2008 and she made her MMA debut at an event they held in 2013.<\/p>\n Why bring this up now? Well Yankova’s next opponent, Kate Jackson kind of called her out for it upon their fight’s announcement.<\/p>\n\n