Islam Makhachev tops the latest monthly ranking of Russia's best active MMA fighters, compiled by 32 journalists and experts, with Petr Yan second and Khamzat Chimaev third. Anatoly Malykhin re-entered the top 15 at No. 14 after knocking out Umar Khan in their rematch, though he will not be eligible for future rankings following his retirement announcement.
Islam Makhachev has claimed the top spot in Russia's latest monthly MMA rankings, released on July 1, with the list compiled by a panel of 32 journalists and experts. Petr Yan finished second and Khamzat Chimaev third, while Anatoly Malykhin made a notable re-entry at No. 14 following a knockout win over Umar Khan in their rematch — though his retirement announcement means he will not be eligible for future editions.
Makhachev, 34, is the reigning welterweight champion carrying a 28-1 record and training out of Eagles MMA in Dagestan. A southpaw standing five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach, he lands 2.63 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate and adds 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the most complete fighters in the sport today.
Malykhin's inclusion is bittersweet for Russian MMA fans. The knockout finish of Umar Khan was enough to earn him a return to the rankings, but with retirement confirmed, the No. 14 placement serves as a final acknowledgment of his career rather than a springboard to further contention.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's position at the summit reflects his status as both a divisional champion and the top-ranked pound-for-pound fighter in the verified data.
- Chimaev's third-place finish underlines the depth of Russian talent across multiple weight classes.
- Malykhin's one-time re-entry raises questions about ranking criteria for fighters who compete after announcing retirement, a point the panel will not need to revisit given his confirmed exit from competition.
