Adrian Yañez

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
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. For most of his mixed martial arts career Yañez trained under late Saul Soliz in Houston, TX.

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: Hall vs. Silva. 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: Brunson vs. Holland. 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: Sandhagen vs. Dillashaw on July 24, 2021. After getting dominated in the first round, Yañez rallied back in the second round winning by technical knockout. This fight earned him the Performance of the Night award.

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.

Personal life
Yañez has a son (born 2021).

Championships and achievements

 * Ultimate Fighting Championship
 * Performance of the Night (Four times) vs. Victor Rodriguez, Gustavo Lopez, Randy Costa, and Tony Kelley
 * Fight of the Night (One Time) vs. Davey Grant