This was published 9 years ago
Meet MMA's new glamour girl Anastasia Yankova
New queen of the octagon
Move over Paige VanZant and Ronda Rousey – there's a new glamour girl in the octagon.
Russian beauty Anastasia Yankova is quickly rising up the ranks after winning just her fourth career fight at Bellator 161.
The 25-year-old dispatched American Veta Arteaga after claiming a split decision in a brutal flyweight encounter in Texas.
But Yankova is winning hearts just as quickly as she does bouts with the 168cm blonde an Instagram phenomenon and red-carpet stunner.
Click through to meet the the sport's latest queen …(Instagram)
Yankova has become an overnight star after winning her first two fights in the Bellator arena. (Instagram)
But she's as much a star when she steps away from the mat with the Russian beauty raking up the followers on Instagram. (Instagram)
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The 25-year-old already has 123,000 people following her every move on social media. (Instagram)
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She's also stealing the spotlight on the red carpet. (AFP)
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Yankova's rise up the ranks and her social media profile has seen her become Bellator's version of UFC glamour girl Paige VanZant. (Instagram)
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However, the 168cm flyweight believes her skills inside the octagon have been overlooked because of her looks. (Instagram)
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The part-time model was a celebrity in her home nation, juggling television and other commitments outside of the octagon. (Instagram)
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But now she wants her fighting to do the talking. (Instagram)
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"It’s not that I’m trying to legitimize myself in anybody’s eyes," she told MMA Junkie. "Because I know what I am and I know what I can do." (Instagram)
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