Islam Makhachev tops the latest monthly ranking of Russia's top 15 MMA fighters, compiled by 32 journalists, bloggers, and experts, with 512 points. Petr Yan sits second at 473 points, followed by Khamzat Chimaev in third. Anatoly Malikhín re-entered the rankings at No. 14 following his knockout victory over Umar Khan in their rematch, though he will not appear in future editions after announcing his retirement from MMA.
Islam Makhachev has claimed the top spot in the latest monthly ranking of Russia's 15 best active MMA fighters, a poll compiled by a panel of 32 journalists, bloggers, and industry experts, with results published on July 1, 2026.
Makhachev, 34, accumulated 512 points to lead the standings. The southpaw from Dagestan competes at welterweight, holds a 28-1-0 professional record, and is the reigning champion in his division. He is also ranked first pound-for-pound, underlining his status as the most decorated Russian fighter currently active. Fighting out of Eagles MMA, Makhachev lands 2.63 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate and averages 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the most complete fighters on the planet.
Petr Yan finished second with 473 points, and Khamzat Chimaev took third place in the panel's assessment.
The edition carried a notable farewell. Anatoly Malikhín returned to the rankings at number 14 after knocking out Umar Khan in their rematch, but the panel confirmed he will not feature in future editions following his announcement that he is retiring from mixed martial arts.
Why it matters
- Makhachev's dominant point total of 512 — 39 ahead of second-placed Yan — reflects his standing as Russia's clear number-one fighter across all weight classes.
- Malikhín's re-entry at 14 on the back of a knockout win gives him a meaningful final ranking entry, closing his career on a competitive note.
- The farewell edition framing signals a formal transition in the Russian MMA landscape as one of its heavyweight-division stars steps away from the sport.
