5 best Russian fighters in the UFC right now

#2. Petr Yan (16-3 overall, 8-2 in the UFC)

Petr Yan is considered one of the best pound-for-pound fighters in the UFC. The Russian titleholder is also among the most fun fighters to watch, with his all-action approach and savage mentality.

Yan has a pro MMA record of 16-3. However, there are a few factors to consider while looking at his record. His first career loss was a questionable split-decision defeat to Magomed Magomedov in 2016, where he was deducted a point due to a headbutt. Nevertheless, he avenged this result by beating Magomedov a year later.

The second defeat on Yan's record is a disqualification loss to Aljamain Sterling. The bantamweight duo subsequently locked horns in a rematch where Sterling was awarded a split-decision victory at UFC 273. However, many believe the former bantamweight champion did enough to come away with a win on the night.

Yan is a nightmare stylistic matchup for anyone he goes up against. 'No Mercy' boasts an excellent takedown defense, which ensures that his bouts largely remain stand-up affairs. In the striking realm, his skills are levels above those of his peers and he systematically picks his opponents apart with his crisp boxing.

What's incredible about Yan is that he fights in an extremely mature manner. He never seems to run out of gas and seemingly increases his output as the fight wears on. Also, he hasn't even reached his peak yet. At just 29, he will be back in the title mix very soon and has the skills to reclaim his belt.

---

#1. Islam Makhachev (22-1 overall, 11-1 in the UFC)

Islam Makhachev is arguably the best fighter in the UFC lightweight division at the moment. Many believe that it is only a matter of time before the rising Dagestani star wins the 155-pound title. At just 30 years of age, he has more than enough time to achieve that goal. His professional record currently stands at 22-1.

Makhachev has ripped through the lightweight ranks in devastating fashion over the last 18 months. He started 2021 as an unranked fighter and went on to pick up three resounding submission victories over Drew Dober, Thiago Moises and Dan Hooker. The win over Hooker saw the Russian contender break into the top 10 of the division.

Watch a compilation of Islam Makhachev's best finishes below:

Earlier this year, he was slated to take on top contender Beneil Dariush in a high-stakes main event clash. A win for either fighter would've all but guaranteed a title shot. Unfortunately, Dariush sustained an injury a week before the fight and Makhachev took on unranked veteran Bobby Green instead.

He sailed to a dominant first-round TKO victory over Green but will likely need a win over a top-ranked contender to earn his shot at the title. Nobody appears to have the answer for Makhachev in the lightweight division. His wrestling prowess seems to overwhelm his opponents and his submission skills have turned him into a lethal finisher.

With every passing fight, he shows new wrinkles to his striking game as well, making him all the more dangerous. Considering the relative ease with which Makhachev dispatches his opponents, and the lack of damage he takes, he could rule the lightweight division for many years to come.