Author: BET RATING editorial team. Data verified on .
One entered the UFC with championship experience from Bellator. Another won The Ultimate Fighter and continued to win after the finale. The third went through a loss in his debut and managed to change the course of his career. Yaroslav Amosov, Daniil Donchenko, and Sergey Sidey represent three different paths to success in the octagon.
Who looks stronger now? BET RATING compares results, the level of opponents faced, and fight characteristics. We also analyze the start of Arthur Minev, explain Nikita Krylov's place in this context, and recall athletes whose performances have already become part of Ukraine's UFC history.
How we selected the best UFC fighters from Ukraine
This is a BET RATING editorial ranking, not an official UFC table or a prediction of head-to-head matches. We consider achievements in professional MMA, results directly in the UFC, the quality of opponents, and current form. The difference in weight classes does not allow for a literal comparison of athletes' strength against each other.
At the center of the ranking are Amosov, Donchenko, and Sidey: active fighters born in Ukraine. A separate fourth participant is the newcomer Arthur Minev, who the UFC also considers a Ukrainian athlete. Sidey also has a close connection to Canada, where he grew up and built his sports career. We consider Krylov, a native of Ukraine, separately: place of birth and sports representation do not always coincide.
Records and recent performances
| Rank | Fighter | Weight | MMA | UFC | Last Fight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Yaroslav Amosov | Welterweight | 30–1 | 2–0 | Win over Joel Alvarez, submission, May 9, 2026 |
| 2 | Daniil Donchenko | Welterweight | 15–2* | 4–0 | Win over Punahale Soriano, unanimous decision, September 5, 2026 |
| 3 | Sergey Sidey | Flyweight | 12–2 | 2–1 | Win over Cameron Smotherman, unanimous decision, May 3, 2025 |
| 4 | Arthur Minev | Lightweight | 7–1 | 0–1 | Loss to Tommy Gantt, technical knockout, May 16, 2026 |
Amosov's record of 30–1 is confirmed by the fight result against Alvarez and Sherdog; UFC.com still lists it as 29–1. *Donchenko's record is cited from Sherdog and FightMatrix. UFC.com at the time of verification indicates 16–2. There are discrepancies in the total record; four wins in UFC events are confirmed by the fight history. DWCS fights and preliminary bouts from the TUF reality show are not added to the UFC record; the official TUF finale is counted.
1. Yaroslav Amosov — championship experience and dangerous grappling
Amosov ranks first for his combination of achievements and convincing start in the UFC. Even before joining the organization, he won the Bellator welterweight title and began his professional career with 27 consecutive victories. Therefore, evaluating him solely based on two performances in the octagon would be too narrow.
In his debut on December 13, 2025, Yaroslav defeated Neil Magny with an "anaconda" choke in the first round. The next challenge was Joel Alvarez: at UFC 328, on May 9, 2026, Amosov finished the fight with a hand triangle at 1:13 of the second round. Two opponents — two finishes.
Fighting style: forcing the opponent to defend
Amosov's strength lies in his combination of wrestling, control, and submission techniques. It's not just about the takedown itself: maintaining position forces the opponent to expend energy trying to escape, and an attempt to stand up can expose the neck or arm. Victories over Magny and Alvarez demonstrate how dangerous such transitions can be for the opponent.
BET RATING assessment: the most mature and decorated athlete on our main list. However, Bellator championship does not equate to UFC championship: the path to the title in the new organization still lies ahead.
2. Daniil Donchenko — four wins and rapid progress
Donchenko deserves attention not only as the winner of the 33rd season of The Ultimate Fighter in the welterweight division. After the finale, he won three more UFC fights and approached October 2026 with a record of 4–0 in the organization.
On September 13, 2025, Daniil stopped Rodrigo Cezinando with a technical knockout in the first round. This was followed by victories over Alex Morono on February 7, 2026, and Theodor Berggren on June 27. The last fight at the time of this article took place on September 5 in Paris: Donchenko defeated Punahale Soriano by unanimous decision.
Fighting style: striking activity with the ability to change plans
Donchenko is interesting for his variety of ways to win. He achieved a finish against Berggren, while against Morono and Soriano, he went the full distance. The Paris fight showcased a combination of unconventional striking and grappling: the opponent had to consider multiple avenues of attack.
BET RATING assessment: the fastest gaining experience participant in this trio. The next important question is how his style will work against stronger opposition. Four victories create a solid foundation, but they alone do not prove readiness for a title fight.
3. Sergey Sidey — character and the ability to win close fights
Sergey Sidey, known in English-speaking sources as Serhiy Sidey, was born in Ukraine and moved to Canada as a child. His journey highlights how important adaptation is after entering the UFC: a contract does not eliminate the need to prove one's level again.
In January 2024, Sidey lost to Ramon Tavares by split decision. He then defeated Garrett Armfield by split decision, and on May 3, 2025, won against Cameron Smotherman by unanimous decision. At the time of verification, this meeting remains the last in his published UFC history.
Fighting style: distance management and patience
Boxing and kickboxing training help Sidey build attacks while standing. All three of his UFC fights have gone to the judges' decision. For the viewer, the interesting aspects here are distance management, the accuracy of individual exchanges, and the ability to maintain composure over three rounds.
BET RATING assessment: a fighter to watch upon returning to the octagon. Two victories after an unsuccessful debut are a positive result, but a long break limits confidence in assessing his current form.
4. Arthur Minev — a newcomer who needs to prove his level
Minev expands Ukrainian representation in the UFC, but based on achieved results, he currently falls short of the top three. His overall record at the time of verification is 7–1. Before debuting in the octagon, he won all seven professional bouts, six of them by finish. This kind of statistic makes him an interesting participant in the list, although transferring success from regional tournaments to the UFC level cannot be taken for granted.
```htmlOn May 16, 2026, Minev faced Tommy Gantt in the lightweight division and lost by technical knockout at 2:51 of the second round. Therefore, his current record in the UFC is 0–1. A first loss does not define an entire career, but it shows how much the cost of mistakes increases after moving to a leading organization.
Style and Prospects: Early Victories as a Starting Point
Four knockout victories and two by submission in his overall record indicate an ability to finish fights in various ways. This is not yet proof of versatility against the elite: a longer history of performances is needed for such an assessment. The main interest lies in how Minev adapts his attacking style after his first unsuccessful experience in the UFC.
BET RATING Assessment: a promising newcomer to watch, rather than a ready contender for the title. Upcoming performances will help determine which qualities remain at a higher level of competition.
Nikita Krylov: Why He Stands Out
If we expand the topic to all Ukrainian-born fighters who have competed in the UFC, Krylov cannot be overlooked. The UFC recognizes him as the first fighter born in Ukraine to compete in the organization. His experience in the light heavyweight division is significantly broader than the number of fights of main roster participants.
As of the date of verification, Krylov's UFC profile indicates a record of 31–12. Among notable victories are bouts against Alexander Gustafsson, Volkan Oezdemir, and Ryan Spann. In January 2026, Krylov knocked out Modestas Bukauskas, but on July 11, he lost to Robert Whittaker by technical knockout in the third round.
His style combines karate, kicking techniques, and various submissions on the ground. According to the UFC, 29 of Krylov's 31 victories were finishes. This explains the interest in his fights, although a high finishing rate does not eliminate vulnerabilities in defense. In this article, he is highlighted by the criterion of birthplace, without substituting it for the question of current representation of the country.
Marina Moroz and Ihor Potieria: Important Names in History
Marina Moroz is remembered for her victory over Joanne Calderwood by armbar in her UFC debut in April 2015. Her record in the organization is 6–6; her official profile at the time of verification indicates a status of “Not Fighting.” Therefore, including her in the top active UFC fighters would be incorrect.
Ihor Potieria has achieved two victories in the UFC against six losses. One of the most notable moments was the technical knockout by Maurício “Shogun” Rua at UFC 283 in January 2023. Potieria's profile also indicates a status of “Not Fighting.” These athletes deserve historical mention, but their achievements should not be mixed with the current results of the active roster.
Who to Watch First
Amosov is interesting for how far his championship experience and grappling will take him in the UFC. Donchenko stands out for his rapid development and the variety of victories already shown. For Sidey, the main event will be his next performance after a break. It is these differences that make the trio more interesting than a simple comparison of the number of wins.
When evaluating any fighter, it is useful to consider the level of opponents, weight class, and recency of performances. A beautiful record without context can create a misleading impression, and one loss does not describe an entire career.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Who is the best active UFC fighter from Ukraine?
In the author’s ranking of BET RATING as of October 9, 2026, the top spot is held by Yaroslav Amosov. The basis is his championship experience in Bellator and two early victories at the start of his UFC career.
How many wins does Daniil Donchenko have in the UFC?
Four: against Rodrigo Sezinando, Alex Morono, Theodor Berggren, and Punahale Soriano. The overall MMA record varies by source: Sherdog lists it as 15–2, while UFC.com states 16–2.
Why is Marina Moroz not in the main ranking?
Her official UFC profile has a status of “Not Fighting.” In the article, she is presented in the historical section, separate from the current ranking participants.
Is this the official UFC ranking?
No. This is an editorial assessment by BET RATING. Official UFC rankings are formed separately by weight classes and in pound-for-pound lists.
Sources and Data Verification
- UFC: Yaroslav Amosov's Profile.
- UFC: Results of the Preliminary Fights at UFC 328.
- MMA Fighting: Amosov's Transition to the UFC and Achievements in Bellator.
- UFC: Daniil Donchenko's Profile; Sherdog: Professional Record.
- UFC: Donchenko's Interview After Winning in Paris.
- UFC: Serhiy Sidey's Profile; TSN: Sidey's Biography.
- UFC: Artur Minev's Profile; UFC: Fight Result Against Tommy Gantt.
- UFC: Nikita Krylov's Profile.
- UFC: Marina Moroz's Profile; UFC: Ihor Potieria's Profile.
Records and statuses are accurate as of the date of verification. After the next performances, the statistics need to be updated.
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