Makhachev leads updated Russian fighter rankings as Malykhin returns before retiring

Islam Makhachev has claimed the top spot in the latest monthly ranking of Russia's best active MMA fighters, a list compiled by a panel of 32 journalists, bloggers, and industry experts and published on July 1, 2026. Petr Yan sits second on the list, with Khamzat Chimaev rounding out the top three.

Makhachev, 34, carries an impressive 28-1-0 record and currently competes at welterweight, where he holds championship status. The Dagestan native trains out of Eagles MMA and brings a well-rounded game to the cage, landing 2.63 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy while also averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes. He is also ranked number one in the pound-for-pound standings, underlining his status as one of the sport's elite competitors.

Anatoly Malykhin made a notable return to the rankings at number 14 after finishing Umar Khan by knockout in their rematch. However, his reappearance will be his last, as Malykhin has announced his retirement from mixed martial arts and will not be eligible for future editions of the list.

Why it matters

• Makhachev's top ranking cements Russia's strong presence at the very peak of the sport, with Eagles MMA producing two fighters in the upper tier of the list alongside Umar Nurmagomedov, who holds a 20-1-0 record and sits ranked second at bantamweight.
• Alexander Volkov, ranked first in the heavyweight division at 40-11-0 and standing six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach, adds further depth to Russia's representation across multiple weight classes.
• Malykhin's retirement removes a significant knockout artist from the active pool, closing the door on one of Russian MMA's more recent success stories.