Islam Makhachev leads updated Russian MMA fighter rankings; Makhachev returns in final appearance

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 released on July 1, 2026.

Makhachev, 34, holds a 28-1-0 professional record and currently competes at welterweight, where he holds championship status. A southpaw out of Eagles MMA, the Dagestani fighter stands five-foot-ten with a 70-inch reach and has built his reputation on a suffocating all-around game — averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a striking accuracy of 58 percent, among the highest in the sport.

Petr Yan occupies second place in the rankings, with Khamzat Chimaev slotting in third. Alexander Volkov and Vadim Nemkov are tied in fourth. Volkov, nicknamed Drago, is 37 years old and carries a 40-11-0 record in the heavyweight division, where he currently ranks first. The six-foot-seven Russian is one of the division's most active strikers, landing 4.78 significant strikes per minute at 57 percent accuracy.

Anatoly Makhachev re-entered the top 15 on the strength of a knockout victory over Umar Khan in their rematch, but the ranking marks his final appearance on the list. He has announced his retirement from MMA and will not be eligible for future editions.

Why it matters

• Islam Makhachev's position at the top cements his standing as the premier Russian fighter across all divisions at this moment.
• Volkov's fourth-place tie is notable given he competes at heavyweight, a division with fewer elite Russian representatives.
• Anatoly Makhachev's retirement removes a recently resurgent figure from consideration, reshaping the lower half of the rankings going forward.