Magomed Ankalaev climbed three places to fourth in the monthly top-15 ranking of Russian MMA fighters across all weight classes, following his early stoppage of Bogdan Guskov. Usman Nurmagomedov entered the list at eighth, while ACB light heavyweight champion Muslim Magomedov and UFC heavyweight Rizvan Kuniev made their debuts in the rankings. Islam Makhachev leads the table with 480 points, followed by Petr Yan and Khamzat Chimaev. The poll is compiled monthly by 30 MMA journalists, bloggers, and experts.
The July edition of Russia's monthly top-15 MMA rankings saw Magomed Ankalaev surge three spots to fourth place overall, powered by his early stoppage victory over Bogdan Guskov, according to the poll published on August 5.
The rankings are compiled each month by a panel of 30 MMA journalists, bloggers, and experts, spanning all weight classes to identify the strongest Russian fighters active on the global scene.
Islam Makhachev holds the top position with 480 points, sitting comfortably clear of the rest of the field. The 34-year-old Dagestani competes at welterweight, holds championship status, and carries a 28-1-0 record. He lands 2.63 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate while also averaging 3.2 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the most complete fighters in the sport.
Petr Yan occupies second on the list, with Khamzat Chimaev rounding out the top three. Chimaev, 32, holds a 15-1-0 record and is ranked first in the middleweight division. The Allstars Training Center product averages an imposing 5.29 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 4.04 significant strikes per minute, with 60 percent accuracy. He competes under a UAE flag but was born in Russia.
Usman Nurmagomedov entered the rankings at eighth, a notable debut for one of the sport's emerging lightweight names. Two other fighters broke into the list for the first time: ACB light heavyweight champion Muslim Magomedov and UFC heavyweight Rizvan Kuniev. The 34-year-old Kuniev, ranked eighth in the heavyweight division, stands six-foot-four with a 76-inch reach and carries a 14-3-1 professional record.
Why it matters
- Ankalaev's three-place jump signals that a convincing finish carries significant weight with the panel
- Nurmagomedov's and Kuniev's entries deepen the list beyond the established Dagestani core
- The cross-divisional format means pound-for-pound standing, not just title status, drives movement in these rankings
