Adrian Yanez

Adrian Yañez (born November 29, 1993) is an American professional mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Bantamweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

Background Adrian Yañez was born in Houston and grew up in La Porte, Texas. His father being a Golden Gloves winner, Yañez went into boxing from a young age, but later on took up BJJ. He started training MMA at the age of 15, having his first fight at the age of 17. Before the UFC, Yañez worked for the City of Deer Park as a Meter Reader.

Mixed martial arts career

Early career After finishing a successful 6-0 amateur career with four consecutive TKO’s, Yañez made his professional debut at just 20 years old, and ended with Yañez victorious by TKO in the third round. Suffering his first defeat against Levi Mowles in his very next bout, having no answer for the wrestling and ground and pound, he lost via unanimous decision. The Texan recovered with two victories in Fury FC, and then won his Bellator debut at Bellator 149 against Ryan Hollis via unanimous decision. Yañez then dropped a razor thin split decision to future UFC bantamweight Domingo Pilarte at LFA 7. Winning his next two bouts in the promotion, Yañez faced another current UFC fighter Miles Johns for the vacant LFA Bantamweight Champion at LFA 55. With history repeating itself, Yañez was on the wrong end of a close split decision loss. With two stoppage wins over Warren Stewart and Michael Rodriguez and then winning a split decision against Kyle Estrada at LFA 78, Yañez was invited to Dana White's Contender Series 28, where he defeated Brady Huang in 39 seconds, earning a UFC contract in the process.

Ultimate Fighting Championship Yañez was scheduled to make his UFC debut against Aaron Phillips on October 31, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 181. However on October 20, Phillips pulled out due to an undisclosed injury. Instead, Yañez faced promotional newcomer Victor Rodriguez. Yañez won the bout via head kick knockout in the first round. This win earned him Performance Fight of the Night award.

Yañez faced Gustavo Lopez on March 20, 2021, at UFC on ESPN 21. He won the fight via walkoff knockout in round three. This win earned him the Performance of the Night award.

Yañez faced Randy Costa at UFC on ESPN 27 on July 24, 2021. After getting dominated in the first round, Yañez rallied back in the second round winning by technical knockout.

As the first bout of his new four-fight contract, Yañez faced Davey Grant on November 20, 2021, at UFC Fight Night 198. He won the bout via split decision, although 12 of 12 media scores gave it to Yañez. The bout earned both fighters the Fight of the Night award.

Yañez faced Tony Kelley on June 18, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 37. At the weigh-ins on June 17, Kelley weighed in at 137.5 pounds, 1.5 pounds over the non-title bantamweight limit. As a result, the bout proceeded as a catchweight and Kelley forfeited 20% of his purse to Yañez. He won the bout in the first round via TKO stoppage. This win earned him his fourth Performance of the Night award.

Yañez faced Rob Font on April 8, 2023, at UFC 287 He lost the bout via TKO in the first round.

Yañez faced Jonathan Martinez on October 14, 2023, at UFC Fight Night 230. After being dropped twice with leg kicks, Yañez lost the fight via TKO in round two.

Yañez faced Vinicius Salvador on May 18, 2024, at UFC Fight Night 241. He won the bout by technical knockout from punches in the first round.

Replacing Said Nurmagomedov who withdrew for unknown reasons, Yañez faced Daniel Marcos on December 14, 2024 at UFC on ESPN 63. Yanez lost the fight by split decision.

Yañez was scheduled to face Cristian Quiñónez on November 8, 2025 at UFC on ESPN 73. However during fight week, Quiñónez withdrew from the bout for unknown reasons and the bout was subsequently cancelled.

Yañez faced Ricky Simón on March 28, 2026 at UFC Fight Night 271. The bout was declared a majority draw. 14 out of 15 media outlets scored the bout for Yanez.

Yañez faced Cody Garbrandt on July 11, 2026, at UFC 329. He won the fight by technical knockout in the first round.

Personal life Yañez has a son (born 2021).

Championships and achievements Ultimate Fighting Championship Performance of the Night (Four times) UFC.com Awards 2022: Ranked #9 Knockout of the Year

Mixed martial arts record Win

Cody Garbrandt TKO (punches) UFC 329

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Draw

Ricky Simón Draw (majority) UFC Fight Night: Adesanya vs. Pyfer

Seattle, Washington, United States Loss

Daniel Marcos Decision (split) UFC on ESPN: Covington vs. Buckley

Tampa, Florida, United States Win

Vinicius Salvador TKO (punches) UFC Fight Night: Barboza vs. Murphy

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Jonathan Martinez TKO (leg kick) UFC Fight Night: Yusuff vs. Barboza

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Loss

Rob Font TKO (punches) UFC 287

Miami, Florida, United States Win

Tony Kelley TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Kattar vs. Emmett

Austin, Texas, United States Win

Davey Grant Decision (split) UFC Fight Night: Vieira vs. Tate

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Randy Costa TKO (punches) UFC on ESPN: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Gustavo Lopez KO (punch) UFC on ESPN: Brunson vs. Holland

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Victor Rodriguez KO (head kick) UFC Fight Night: Hall vs. Silva

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Brady Huang TKO (punches) Dana White's Contender Series 28

Las Vegas, Nevada, United States Win

Kyle Estrada Decision (split) LFA 78

Belton, Texas, United States Win

Michael Rodriguez TKO (punches) Fury FC 33

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Warren Stewart TKO (punches) Fury FC 29

Humble, Texas, United States Loss

Miles Johns Decision (split) LFA 55

Dallas, Texas, United States Win

Nathan Trepagnier KO (punch) LFA 35

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Trent Meaux Decision (unanimous) LFA 26

Houston, Texas, United States Loss

Domingo Pilarte Decision (split) LFA 7

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Colin Wright Submission (armbar) Legacy FC 59

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Ryan Hollis Decision (unanimous) Bellator 149

Houston, Texas, United States Win

D'Nearon Seymore Submission (triangle choke) Fury FC 7

Humble, Texas, United States Win

Jake Snyder TKO (punches) Fury FC 6

Humble, Texas, United States Loss

Levi Mowles Decision (unanimous) Legacy FC 37

Houston, Texas, United States Win

Richard Delfin TKO (punches) Texas City Throwdown 1

Texas City, Texas, United States