# What is the best Russian UFC fighter of all time?

> Dagestani grapplers, a heavyweight knockout artist and a few cult favorites who never got near a belt. Title fights alone will not settle this one.

*By YPB Team · Published October 16, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/what-is-the-best-russian-ufc-fighter-of-all-time*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Umar Nurmagomedov** — score 1000/1000
   Khabib's cousin, a bantamweight contender with a smothering grappling game.
2. **Magomed Ankalaev** — score 999/1000
   A light heavyweight with a long win streak who captured the UFC title.
3. **Khabib Nurmagomedov** — score 863/1000
   Dagestani lightweight champion who retired undefeated at 29-0 after dominant grappling-based title defenses.
4. **Islam Makhachev** — score 503/1000
   Khabib's training partner and protégé who became lightweight champion and later won a welterweight title.
5. **Zabit Magomedsharipov** — score 503/1000
   A flashy featherweight cult favorite whose career was cut short by injuries.
6. **Petr Yan** — score 0/1000
   A former bantamweight champion known for crisp striking and several title fights at 135 pounds.
7. **Sergei Pavlovich** — score 0/1000
   A heavyweight knockout artist who fought for the interim title.
8. **Mairbek Taisumov** — score 0/1000
   A lightweight finisher who produced highlight knockouts in the UFC lightweight ranks.

Tags: russia, ufc, fighters, mma