The latest monthly ranking of Russia's top 15 MMA fighters, compiled by 32 journalists and experts, places Islam Makhachev first, followed by Petr Yan and Khamzat Chimaev. Anatoly Makhachev re-enters the rankings at 14th after his knockout victory over Umar Khan in their rematch, though he will be ineligible for future polls following his retirement announcement. Islam Makhachev leads with 512 points, ahead of Yan's 473 and Chimaev's 383.
A panel of 32 journalists and MMA experts has placed Islam Makhachev atop the latest monthly ranking of Russia's fifteen best active mixed martial artists, with the results published on July 1, 2026. Petr Yan and Khamzat Chimaev follow in second and third respectively, while a notable late-career moment for Anatoly Makhachev added a storyline to an otherwise familiar top end.
Islam Makhachev headlined the poll with 512 points, comfortably clear of Yan's 473 and Chimaev's 383. The 34-year-old southpaw from Dagestan holds a 28-1-0 professional record and currently holds champion status in the welterweight division, also sitting at the summit of the pound-for-pound rankings. Training out of Eagles MMA, Makhachev is one of the more complete fighters on the planet, landing 2.63 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy while also averaging 3.2 takedowns and 1.1 submission attempts per fifteen minutes.
Anatoly Makhachev re-entered the rankings at 14th on the strength of a knockout victory over Umar Khan in their rematch. However, his inclusion comes with an asterisk: following a retirement announcement, he will be ineligible for future editions of the poll, making this likely his final appearance in the rankings.
Why it matters
- Islam Makhachev's points total of 512 reflects a wide consensus among experts about his standing as Russia's premier active fighter.
- Petr Yan and Khamzat Chimaev's positions in second and third signal continued respect for both men despite the gap to the leader.
- Anatoly Makhachev's ranking re-entry and simultaneous retirement announcement closes a chapter on his career on a winning note.
- The monthly format, voted on by 32 credentialed journalists, gives the list more weight than a single-outlet poll, making shifts in future editions meaningful indicators of the Russian MMA landscape.
