Russia claims top spot in ESPN MMA world power rankings

Russia has displaced the United States atop ESPN's MMA world power index, driven by the championship runs and contender status of fighters like Petr Yan and Islam Makhachev.

ESPN published the rankings ahead of the UFC's International Fight Week, measuring each nation's depth of elite talent across weight classes. The shift marks a milestone for Russian fighters, who have steadily accumulated belts and top-five placings over the past two years.

How Russia edged out the United States

Makhachev holds the lightweight title and has defended it multiple times, while former bantamweight champion Yan remains a fixture in the 135-pound rankings despite recent setbacks. Russia's strength extends beyond those two names, with contenders scattered across several divisions contributing to the overall tally.

The United States finished second in the index, still boasting the largest roster of ranked fighters but lacking the same concentration of champions and number-one contenders. ESPN evaluated ten countries total, weighing active titleholders, recent challengers, and divisional depth.

The full list and methodology appear on ESPN ahead of next month's fight week schedule in Las Vegas.

Reported via:

• ESPN MMA — MMA world power index: Yan, Machachev lead Russia to No. 1 spot