Islam Makhachev tops the latest monthly Russian MMA pound-for-pound rankings compiled by 32 journalists and experts, followed by Petr Yan and Khamzat Chimaev. Anatoly Malykhin re-entered the top 15 at 14th after knocking out Umar Khan in their rematch, a performance that preceded his retirement announcement. Because Malykhin has retired, he will not be eligible for future editions of the poll.
Islam Makhachev has claimed the top spot in the latest monthly Russian MMA pound-for-pound rankings, a poll conducted by 32 journalists and experts released on July 1, 2026. Petr Yan and Khamzat Chimaev follow in second and third, while Anatoly Malykhin makes a notable re-entry at 14th — though it will be his last appearance in the rankings after announcing his retirement following a knockout victory over Umar Khan in their rematch.
Makhachev, 34, represents Russia and trains out of Eagles MMA. The welterweight champion carries a 28-1-0 record and has established himself as one of the most complete fighters in the sport, connecting on 58 percent of his significant strikes while averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes. His grappling pressure, combined with 1.1 submission attempts per 15 minutes, makes him a constant danger across all phases.
Malykhin's re-entry adds a bittersweet note to this edition of the poll. The knockout win over Khan was enough to earn him recognition from the panel, but with retirement now confirmed, he becomes ineligible for future rankings cycles.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's position atop the Russian pound-for-pound list reflects his continued dominance as welterweight champion with a near-perfect professional record.
- Eagles MMA continues to produce elite talent, with Umar Nurmagomedov — ranked second in the bantamweight division at 20-1-0 — also representing the team alongside Makhachev.
- Malykhin's farewell ranking entry closes the chapter on one of Russia's more physically imposing recent competitors; the 14th-place finish serves as a final acknowledgment from the expert panel.
- The rankings highlight the ongoing depth of Russian MMA talent across multiple weight classes, from heavyweight contender Alexander Volkov at 40-11-0 to the Eagles MMA core.
