Makhachev and Yan — with championship achievements, Evloev — undefeated, Kopylov — with a fresh finish at UFC 332. The BET RATING editorial team has compiled its own top-15 and analyzed what makes each of these fighters dangerous.
Verification date: .
How the ranking was compiled
This is an editorial ranking of male fighters — active UFC fighters, not the official UFC pound-for-pound list. We consider championship achievements, the level of defeated opponents, recent results, and performance consistency. Media presence and the number of followers do not determine the ranking position.
The term "from Russia" is used based on origin: the selection also includes natives of the country representing other states. Khamzat Chimaev represents the UAE, Nassourdine Imavov — France. Their sports representation should not be confused with their place of birth. The selection is not a list of athletes exclusively under the Russian flag.
Khabib Nurmagomedov and Zabit Magomedsharipov are not included as they have retired. Rinat Fakhretdinov is also off the list: after the end of his UFC contract, it was not renewed. The presence of an old athlete's page on the promotion's website does not itself confirm an active contract.
Table: 15 fighters and their MMA records
The record is indicated for the entire professional career, not just for the UFC: wins – losses; the third number, if present, indicates draws. NC — no contest. Results from amateur competitions and individual wrestling matches are not taken into account. Dates of fights are provided according to the location of the tournament.
| BET RATING Position | Fighter | Weight | MMA Record |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Islam Makhachev | Welterweight | 29–1 |
| 2 | Petr Yan | Bantamweight | 20–5 |
| 3 | Khamzat Chimaev | Middleweight | 15–1 |
| 4 | Movsar Evloev | Featherweight | 20–0 |
| 5 | Magomed Ankalaev | Light Heavyweight | 22–2–1; 1 NC |
| 6 | Nassourdine Imavov | Middleweight | 17–4; 1 NC |
| 7 | Alexander Volkov | Heavyweight | 40–11 |
| 8 | Sergey Pavlovich | Heavyweight | 21–3 |
| 9 | Umar Nurmagomedov | Bantamweight | 20–2 |
| 10 | Azamat Murzakanov | Light Heavyweight | 16–1 |
| 11 | Roman Kopylov | Middleweight | 16–5 |
| 12 | Ikram Aliskerov | Middleweight | 18–2 |
| 13 | Sharabutdin Magomedov — Shara Bullet | Middleweight | 17–1 |
| 14 | Tagir Ulanbekov | Flyweight | 17–3 |
| 15 | Muslim Salikhov | Welterweight | 22–7 |
1. Islam Makhachev
Category: welterweight. MMA Record: 29–1.
Last fight: 08.15.2026 — victory over Ian Garry by unanimous decision.
Achievements and current form. Defended the UFC welterweight title. After the title run in the lightweight division, he confirmed his class in the new category; the victory over Garry was his 17th consecutive win in the UFC.
Fighting style. Combines striking attacks with takedowns, sweeps, and positional control. On the ground, he limits his opponent's movements and methodically prepares for submissions. In stand-up, he is dangerous with his left hand and leg strikes.
Why this position. The first place is due to a combination of championship achievements, stability, and the ability to defeat elite opponents in various ways.
2. Petr Yan
Category: bantamweight. MMA Record: 20–5.
Last fight: 12.06.2025 — victory over Merab Dvalishvili by unanimous decision.
Achievements and current form. Regained the UFC bantamweight title and extended his winning streak to four fights.
Fighting style. Combination boxing, tight defense, and pressure with a gradual increase in pace. Alternates attacks to the head and body, uses low kicks and clinch work. Wrestling complements his striking system.
Why this position. The return of the title in such a competitive category weighs more for us than just a pretty record.
3. Khamzat Chimaev
Category: middleweight. MMA Record: 15–1.
Last fight: 05.09.2026 — loss to Sean Strickland by split decision.
Achievements and current form. Won the title in a fight against Dricus du Plessis in August 2025 but then lost it. Previously won by stoppage against Robert Whittaker. Born in Chechnya, represents the UAE.
Fighting style. Explosive takedowns, power control, and neck attacks. He seeks to impose grappling immediately and deprive his opponent of space. He looks strongest when he dictates the exchanges.
Why this position. Championship experience and victories over top opponents keep him in a high position, but the recent loss prevents him from being described as undefeated.
4. Movsar Evloev
Category: featherweight. MMA Record: 20–0.
Last fight: 03.21.2026 — victory over Lerone Murphy by majority decision.
Achievements and current form. Maintained an ideal professional record and achieved his tenth victory in the UFC. All ten wins in the organization have come by decision.
Fighting style. Chain wrestling: after defending against the first takedown, follows the next attempt, back take, or a takedown against the cage. Good at transitioning between positions and maintaining a high pace.
Why this position. Stability against strong opposition makes Evloev one of the leaders on the list. The lack of stoppage victories in the UFC does not negate the quality of his control.
5. Magomed Ankalaev
Category: light heavyweight. MMA Record: 22–2–1; 1 NC.
Last fight: 07.25.2026 — victory over Bogdan Guskov by technical knockout in the fifth round.
```htmlAchievements and Current Form. Returned to winning ways after losing the title in a rematch with Alex Pereira. Captured the championship title in the first bout with Pereira in March 2025.
Fighting Style. A reserved southpaw with a heavy left hand, distance control, and powerful work against the cage. Can engage in a tactical stand-up fight and incorporate grappling when advantageous.
Why Here. The title and successful return after a loss give him an edge over most contenders without championship experience.
6. Nassourdine Imavov
Category: Middleweight. MMA Record: 17–4; 1 NC.
Last Fight: 06.09.2025 — victory over Caio Borralho by unanimous decision.
Achievements and Current Form. In 2025, he defeated Israel Adesanya by stoppage, then won a five-round fight against Borralho. Born in Dagestan, he represents France.
Fighting Style. An agile striker with a good jab, straight punches, and counterattacks. Prefers to work at a comfortable distance, not staying in front of his opponent, and capitalizes on their mistakes when closing the distance.
Why Here. Victories over strong middleweights warrant a high ranking. However, the long pause after his last appearance is a factor that is considered separately.
7. Alexander Volkov
Category: Heavyweight. MMA Record: 40–11.
Last Fight: 09.05.2026 — victory over Waldo Cortes-Acosta by unanimous decision.
Achievements and Current Form. Achieved his second consecutive victory after success in the bout with Jailton Almeida. Reached the milestone of 40 professional wins.
Fighting Style. A tall striker who builds his fight on jabs, straight punches, and front kicks. Capable of meeting an approaching opponent with knees and making it difficult for them to close the distance.
Why Here. His strong point is extensive experience and the ability to solve various tactical problems. The victory over Pavlovich is also important for comparing Russian heavyweights.
8. Sergei Pavlovich
Category: Heavyweight. MMA Record: 21–3.
Last Fight: 30.05.2026 — victory over Talisson Teixeira by knockout in 39 seconds.
Achievements and Current Form. Extended his winning streak to three fights and reminded everyone of his ability to finish fights very quickly.
Fighting Style. A powerful boxer with long arms and dangerous combinations. He pressures, cuts off his opponent's escape routes, and seeks to develop the first successful strike into a decisive attack.
Why Here. One of the most dangerous finishers on the list. He is ranked below Volkov: we consider their head-to-head bout and Alexander's more diverse experience.
9. Umar Nurmagomedov
Category: Bantamweight. MMA Record: 20–2.
Last Fight: 29.08.2026 — loss to Song Yadong by knockout in the second round.
Achievements and Current Form. In January 2026, he defeated Davidson Figueiredo; previously won against Cory Sandhagen and Mario Bautista. His last loss halted his return to the title race.
Fighting Style. Combines a variety of kicks with quick takedowns. Changes distance and attack directions, forcing his opponent to consider threats in both striking and grappling simultaneously.
Why Here. Victories over strong bantamweights keep him in the top ten, but the recent knockout cannot be ignored when assessing his current form.
10. Azamat Murzakanov
Category: Light Heavyweight. MMA Record: 16–1.
Last Fight: 11.04.2026 — loss to Paulo Costa by technical knockout in the third round.
Achievements and Current Form. Prior to this, he won six consecutive fights in the UFC, including a stoppage victory over Alexander Rakic in October 2025.
Fighting Style. An explosive southpaw with heavy hands. Closes the distance with short bursts, looking for opportunities to counterattack and is dangerous in exchanges at mid-range.
Why Here. The streak leading up to his first loss and the victory over Rakic are strong arguments. The next stage of his career will show how successfully he adjusts his tactics.
11. Roman Kopylov
Category: Middleweight. MMA Record: 16–5.
Last Fight: 03.10.2026 — victory over Ateba Gauthier by technical knockout: first round, 3:12.
Achievements and Current Form. One of the freshest successes in the lineup: stopped Gauthier at UFC 332 and achieved his second consecutive victory.
Fighting Style. A southpaw with quick combinations, an emphasized left hand, and kicks at various levels. Particularly dangerous when he can freely choose the distance and meet an advancing opponent.
Why Here. He is elevated for a recent significant victory, but we also consider the uneven results of previous performances. One bright finish does not equate to championship stability.
12. Ikram Aliskerov
Category: Middleweight. MMA Record: 18–2.
Last Fight: 27.06.2026 — victory over Bruno Ferreira by unanimous decision.
Achievements and Current Form. Won three fights in a row after losing to Robert Whittaker: against Andre Muniz, Pak Jun Yong, and Ferreira.
Fighting Style. A fighter with a combat sambo background, strong straight punches, and the ability to transition from striking to grappling. Can either seek an early finish or gain an advantage over the full distance.
Why Here. Returning to stable victories is more important than initial expectations. For further ascent, new successes against the division's elite are needed.
13. Sharabutdin Magomedov — Shara Bullet
Category: Middleweight. MMA Record: 17–1.
``````htmlLast fight: 06/27/2026 — victory over Michel Pereira by unanimous decision.
Achievements and current form. After losing to Michael Page, he won against Mark-André Barriault and Pereira. Notable is the spectacular knockout of Armen Petrosyan with two spinning strikes.
Fighting style. Striker with a variety of kicks, knees, and unconventional spinning attacks. Changes rhythm and angles, well-suited for entertaining stand-up fights.
Why this ranking. The entertainment value is high, but the position is determined by sporting results. Experience against elite all-rounders currently lags behind fighters higher on the list.
14. Tagir Ulanbekov
Category: Flyweight. MMA Record: 17–3.
Last fight: 11/22/2025 — loss to Kyoji Horiguchi by technical submission after a rear-naked choke in the third round.
Achievements and current form. Before facing Horiguchi, he won four consecutive fights in the UFC, including against Clayton Carpenter and Azat Maksum.
Fighting style. Wrestler with long levers for the category. Uses clinch, takedowns, and positional work, looking for opportunities for submissions. In striking, he aims to set up favorable closings.
Why this ranking. A successful streak secures a spot in the selection, but the loss and pause in performances limit his position in the current strength ranking.
15. Muslim Salikhov
Category: Welterweight. MMA Record: 22–7.
Last fight: 09/12/2026 — loss to Ignacio Bahamondes by unanimous decision.
Achievements and current form. One of his recent highlights is the knockout of Carlos Leal in 42 seconds in July 2025. The latest result shows why the veteran's rating needs updating after each fight.
Fighting style. Striking technician based on wushu-sanda. Dangerous with counterattacks, kicks, and spins; adept at catching opponents as they enter range.
Why this ranking. Closes the top due to experience and technical arsenal. His achievements shouldn't automatically translate into predictions of future victories.
Who stands out in different components
Comparing a heavyweight to a flyweight in striking power is pointless: the categories have different physical requirements. Therefore, the overall order reflects our assessments of achievements relative to competition, while technical aspects are better considered separately.
- Combination of wrestling and striking technique: Makhachev and Umar Nurmagomedov.
- Wrestling pressure: Chimaev and Evloev, although their pace and control methods differ.
- Combination boxing: Yan; work at long range — Volkov and Imavov.
- Threat of quick knockout: Pavlovich, Murzakanov, and Kopylov.
- Unusual striking technique: Sharabutdin and Salikhov.
This is a qualitative assessment by the editorial team, not individual official awards. Every style has uncomfortable opponents: a strong wrestler does not automatically defeat a striker, and a high percentage of early finishes does not guarantee the next knockout.
Why statistics should be read with context
The number of victories does not show the whole picture. The level of opposition, quality of recent performances, length of pauses, and changes in weight class are important. A loss in a title fight can indicate an athlete's real level more than a series of victories over significantly less experienced opponents.
A telling example of data freshness — Kopylov: after his victory on October 3, his record stands at 16–5. Cards updated to UFC 332 may still show 15–5. This article accounts for the result of the concluded tournament. Also, Ankalaev's record of 22–2–1 and one NC was cross-checked with the UFC card: some databases show an outdated result.
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This top is an opportunity to compare achievements and discuss fighters. It is not a prediction of fight outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is ranked first in the BET RATING top?
Islam Makhachev: as of the date of article preparation, his combination of championship achievements and a long winning streak provides the strongest basis for leadership.
Why are Chimaev and Imavov on the list?
Both were born in Russia. The article uses the criterion of origin, while separately noting that Chimaev represents the UAE and Imavov — France.
Why is Khabib not in the top?
We compare active UFC athletes, not the greatest fighters in history. Khabib has retired from professional competition.
Is this an official UFC ranking?
No. This is an editorial selection by BET RATING. Official rankings by weight categories and pound-for-pound are compiled separately.
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