Movsar Evloev

UFC’s second-half 2026 slate includes several high-profile matchups that materially shape multiple divisions, including Ilia Topuria vs. Justin Gaethje, Alex Pereira vs. Ciryl Gane, and Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane 2. ESPN’s fight-center preview and related coverage identify these as the most anticipated bouts still to come, with championship implications at lightweight, heavyweight, and beyond. The same UFC schedule discussion also points to other notable matchups such as Alexander Volkanovski vs. Movsar Evloev and Jean Silva vs. Aaron Pico. These bookings matter because they set the title landscape heading into late 2026 and clarify who is next in line across several weight classes.

Tom AspinallJean SilvaIlia TopuriaAaron Pico+5

The updated list of active unbeaten fighters — those inactive no more than two years, not retired, with more than ten wins in top promotions — features 32 competitors. Movlid Khaybulaev leads the list at 24-0-1-1NC, followed by Usman Nurmagomedov at 21-0-1NC and Movsar Evloev at 20-0. Among the newly updated records, Farid Basharat moved to 16-0 after defeating John Garza by unanimous decision at UFC 329, and Luke Riley improved to 14-0 following a first-round TKO of Kai Kamaka at the same event. Records are sourced from Tapology and cross-checked on Sherdog.

Shavkat RakhmonovMario PintoMuhammad MokaevMovsar Evloev+9

ESPN's latest country-by-country MMA rankings place Russia at the top for the first time, pushing the United States down to second and Brazil to third. The ranking factors in current champions as well as top contenders, with Movsar Evloev cited as a potential future champion boosting Russia's standing.

Movsar Evloev

Nikolai Kiosse, who has sparred with both Petr Yan and Aaron Pico, described the two fighters as being on completely different levels. He noted that Pico's distance-closing is readable and predictable, pointing to the stepping pattern that Cody Murphy exploited with an elbow — a movement Kiosse believes Pico picked up from training with TJ Dillashaw. By contrast, Kiosse praised Yan as a uniquely gifted fighter, highlighting his seamless footwork, defensive wrestling, and ability to continuously chain attacks after committing, referencing his performances against Cory Sandhagen and Merab Dvalishvili as prime examples.

Aaron PicoCory SandhagenMovsar EvloevNassourdine Imavov+4

Anatoly Malykhin re-enters the top 15 of the monthly Russian MMA rankings after knocking out Umar Khan in a rematch. Following the victory, Malykhin announced his retirement from MMA, meaning he will be ineligible for future editions of the poll. Islam Makhachev leads the rankings, followed by Petr Yan and Khamzat Chimaev. The rankings are compiled monthly by 32 MMA journalists, bloggers, and experts.

Islam MakhachevAlexander VolkovUmar NurmagomedovKhamzat Chimaev+7

Islam Makhachev tops the latest monthly pound-for-pound ranking of Russian MMA fighters, compiled by 32 journalists, bloggers, and experts. Petr Yan sits second and Khamzat Chimaev third, while Alexander Volkov and Vadim Nemkov share fourth. Anatoly Makhachev re-entered the top 15 after knocking out Umar Khan in a rematch, though he subsequently announced his retirement and will not be eligible for future editions of the ranking.

Islam MakhachevAlexander VolkovUmar NurmagomedovKhamzat Chimaev+7