Islam Makhachev tops the latest monthly Russian MMA pound-for-pound rankings compiled by 32 journalists and experts, followed by Petr Yan and Hamzat Chimaev. Anatoly Malykhin re-entered the top 15 at No. 14 after knocking out Umar Khan in a rematch, though he will not be eligible for future votes following his retirement announcement. Alexander Volkov and Vadim Nemkov are tied fourth, with Arman Tsarukyan sixth and Magomed Ankalaev seventh.
Islam Makhachev has claimed the top spot in the latest Russian MMA pound-for-pound rankings, a monthly list compiled by a panel of 32 journalists and experts. Petr Yan and Hamzat Chimaev follow in second and third, while Anatoly Malykhin made a notable return to the top 15 at No. 14 after knocking out Umar Khan in their rematch — though his recent retirement announcement means he will be ineligible for future voting cycles.
Makhachev, 34, is now competing at welterweight and carries an impressive 28-1-0 record. The Dagestan native trains out of Eagles MMA and brings a well-rounded game to the rankings, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 58 percent. His position at the summit of this list reflects his continued dominance as a champion in his division.
Alexander Volkov, known as "Drago," shares fourth place with Vadim Nemkov. The 37-year-old heavyweight holds a career record of 40-11-0 and stands six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach. Volkov is among the most active strikers on the list, landing 4.78 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy. Arman Tsarukyan sits sixth and Magomed Ankalaev seventh, rounding out a top seven composed entirely of Russian-born fighters.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's No. 1 placement cements Russian dominance across multiple UFC weight classes heading into the second half of 2026.
- Malykhin's re-entry highlights a strong finish to his career, though his retirement closes the door on any further movement up the list.
- The rankings span several divisions — from bantamweight to heavyweight — illustrating the depth of Russian talent across the sport's full weight spectrum.
