Islam Makhachev leads updated Russian MMA pound-for-pound rankings

Islam Makhachev has claimed the top spot in the latest monthly pound-for-pound ranking of Russian MMA fighters, with a panel of 32 journalists, bloggers, and experts placing the UFC welterweight champion ahead of the field in the July 2026 edition.

Makhachev, 34, carries a 28-1 record and represents Eagles MMA out of Russia. A southpaw standing 178 centimeters tall with a 178-centimeter reach, he has built his reputation on a blend of elite grappling and increasingly sharp striking, averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes and landing significant strikes at a 58 percent accuracy rate. Petr Yan sits second in the rankings, with Khamzat Chimaev third.

Alexander Volkov, ranked fourth alongside Vadim Nemkov, remains one of the most physically imposing figures in Russian MMA. The 37-year-old heavyweight, who competes under the nickname Drago and fights out of Strela Team, holds a 40-11 record and stands six-foot-seven with an 80-inch reach. He produces a notable 4.78 significant strikes landed per minute, among the higher outputs in the heavyweight division.

Why it matters

• Makhachev's position at the summit reflects his standing as arguably the most decorated active Russian fighter, holding the UFC welterweight title.
• Volkov's shared fourth-place finish underscores his continued relevance in the heavyweight division, where he holds the number-one contender ranking.
• Anatoly Makhachev re-entered the top 15 after knocking out Umar Khan in a rematch, but his subsequent retirement announcement removes him from eligibility in future editions, closing what had been a noteworthy subplot in Russian MMA circles.