The latest monthly Russian MMA pound-for-pound rankings, compiled by 32 journalists and experts, place Islam Makhachev at No. 1, followed by Petr Yan and Khamzat Chimaev. Anatoly Malikhyin re-entered the top 15 at No. 14 following his knockout victory over Umar Khan, though he will be excluded from future polls after announcing his retirement from MMA.
A panel of 32 Russian journalists and MMA experts has released its latest monthly pound-for-pound rankings, with Islam Makhachev holding firm at the top spot ahead of Petr Yan and Khamzat Chimaev. The list also saw Anatoly Malikhyin re-enter the top 15 at No. 14 on the strength of a knockout win over Umar Khan — though his return will be short-lived, as his announced retirement from MMA means he will be excluded from future polls.
Makhachev, 34, continues to justify his place at the summit of Russian MMA. The Dagestan-born welterweight champion carries a 28-1-0 record and trains out of Eagles MMA. He lands 2.63 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate, and his wrestling remains a consistent threat at 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes.
The verified fighter data for this ranking cycle also highlights the depth of Russian talent across divisions. Umar Nurmagomedov, the 30-year-old bantamweight ranked second in his division, holds a 20-1-0 record and averages an imposing 4.03 takedowns per 15 minutes with a 56 percent striking accuracy. Fellow Eagle Makhachev's teammate is among the most complete fighters in his weight class. Heavyweight Alexander "Drago" Volkov, now 37 and ranked first in the heavyweight division with a 40-11-0 record, contributes striking volume of 4.78 significant strikes per minute — one of the higher outputs in the poll's top 15.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's continued dominance at No. 1 cements Russia's claim to the sport's premier pound-for-pound talent.
- Malikhyin's re-entry and simultaneous retirement effectively closes a chapter on one of Russian MMA's notable careers.
- The rankings reflect genuine divisional spread, with Russian fighters ranked at or near the top of welterweight, bantamweight, and heavyweight.
