Islam Makhachev leads the latest monthly ranking of the best Russian MMA fighters, compiled by 32 journalists, bloggers, and experts, with Petr Yan second and Khamzat Chimaev third. Anatoly Malykhin re-entered the top 15 following his knockout revenge win over Umar Khan, though he will not appear in future editions after announcing his retirement from MMA. The full top 15 also includes Alexander Volkov, Vadim Nemkov, Arman Tsarukyan, Magomed Ankalaev, Movsar Evloev, Usman Nurmagomedov, and Umar Nurmagomedov.
Islam Makhachev has claimed the top spot in the June 2026 Russian MMA rankings, a monthly poll conducted by 32 journalists, bloggers, and experts that assesses the best Russian fighters competing across the sport.
Makhachev, 34, holds a 28-1-0 record and is the reigning welterweight world champion operating out of Eagles MMA in Dagestan. A southpaw standing 178 centimeters tall with a 178-centimeter reach, he averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands strikes at a 58 percent accuracy rate, underlining the all-around technical mastery that has made him the consensus standard-bearer for Russian MMA. Petr Yan placed second in the poll, with Khamzat Chimaev third.
Anatoly Malykhin re-entered the rankings at a position inside the top 15 after recording a knockout victory over Umar Khan in what was described as a revenge win. However, Malykhin's appearance will be his last in future editions of the list following his announcement of retirement from professional MMA.
The full top 15 features a broad cross-section of Russian talent. Alexander Volkov, nicknamed Drago, is the heavyweight division's number-one ranked contender at 37 years old, carrying a 40-11-0 record and one of the longest reaches in the sport at 203 centimeters. He averages 4.78 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy. Also included are Vadim Nemkov, Arman Tsarukyan, Magomed Ankalaev, Movsar Evloev, and Usman Nurmagomedov.
Umar Nurmagomedov, ranked second in the bantamweight division, rounds out the notable Eagles MMA presence on the list. The 30-year-old carries a 20-1-0 record and leads the group statistically in takedown output, averaging 4.03 per 15 minutes alongside a 56 percent striking accuracy.
Why it matters
- Russia's depth across multiple weight classes is reflected in a top 15 spanning heavyweight down to bantamweight
- Makhachev's continued dominance at the summit reinforces his standing as the nation's premier active fighter
- Malykhin's retirement removes a significant knockout threat from the rankings landscape going forward
- Eagles MMA now claims both the top overall spot and a top-two bantamweight entry through Umar Nurmagomedov
