Islam Makhachev leads updated Russian MMA top-15 rankings

Islam Makhachev has been named the top-ranked Russian MMA fighter in the latest monthly poll, with Petr Yan slotting in at second and Khamzat Chimaev third. The list, compiled by 32 journalists and experts, was published on July 1, 2026, and reflects the current state of Russian talent across all divisions.

Makhachev, 34, anchors the top spot as a welterweight world champion carrying a 28-1 record. Fighting out of Eagles MMA and competing southpaw, he 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 in the sport regardless of nationality.

Among the other Russians featured in the database, Alexander "Drago" Volkov represents the heavyweight division with a remarkable 40-11 record. The six-foot-seven orthodox striker from Strela Team is ranked first in his weight class at age 37 and leads all tracked Russians with 4.78 significant strikes landed per minute.

Umar Nurmagomedov, also of Eagles MMA, holds a 20-1 record and sits second in the bantamweight division at just 30 years old. He averages an imposing 4.03 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a 56 percent striking accuracy.

A notable storyline from the rankings update involves Anatoly Malkhin, who re-entered the list at 14th after scoring a knockout victory over Umar Khan in their rematch. However, Malkhin subsequently announced his retirement from competition, meaning he will not be eligible for future editions of the ranking.

Why it matters

• Makhachev's placement confirms his standing as the benchmark for Russian MMA at the elite level across all promotions
• The Malkhin situation highlights how the ranking accounts for active status, creating an immediate vacancy in the bottom half of the list
• The depth of Russian talent across bantamweight, heavyweight, and welterweight underscores the country's continued influence on the global MMA landscape