Islam Makhachev tops the latest monthly ranking of the best Russian MMA fighters regardless of weight class, compiled by 32 journalists, bloggers, and experts. Anatoly Malykhin re-enters the top 15 at No. 14 after knocking out Umar Khan in their rematch, but will be excluded from future editions following his retirement announcement. Petr Yan sits second with Khamzat Chimaev third, while Alexander Volkov and Vadim Nemkov share fourth and fifth.
Islam Makhachev has claimed the top spot in the latest monthly ranking of Russia's finest active MMA fighters across all weight classes, with a panel of 32 journalists, bloggers, and experts placing the welterweight champion ahead of a deep field of compatriots.
Makhachev, 34, carries a 28-1-0 record and holds champion status in his division. Fighting out of Eagles MMA in a southpaw stance, the Dagestan native has built his reputation on elite grappling and efficient striking, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing significant strikes at a 58 percent accuracy clip. He also sits at the top of the pound-for-pound rankings, underlining just how dominant his standing is within Russian MMA circles.
Petr Yan takes second place in the rankings, with Khamzat Chimaev slotting in third. Alexander Volkov, who fights under the nickname Drago, shares fourth position alongside Vadim Nemkov. At 37, Volkov holds the number-one contender spot in the heavyweight division and sports a 40-11-0 career record. Standing six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach, he remains one of the most physically imposing fighters on any roster, averaging a notable 4.78 significant strikes landed per minute.
Anatoly Malykhin re-enters the rankings at number 14 following a knockout victory over Umar Khan in their rematch. However, the panel confirmed Malykhin will not appear in future editions after he announced his retirement from competition.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's pound-for-pound standing reinforces Russia's current dominance across multiple MMA weight classes
- Volkov's fourth-place finish highlights the strength of Russia's heavyweight contingent heading into the second half of 2026
- Malykhin's exclusion from future editions removes one of the most decorated recent knockouts artists from the conversation permanently
- The cross-divisional format of the ranking offers a rare snapshot of how Russian fighters compare regardless of weight
