Khabib’s brother, Chimaev or Pavlovich? Who will be the next UFC champion of Russia?
Sergey Sorokin May 31, 2023, 13:45 Moscow time Audio version: Your browser does not support the audio element.
We choose among our fighters those who are closest to the coveted belt.
There are a lot of Russians in the UFC, as well as fighters who are directly related to our country. But now there is only one champion – Islam Makhachev. He dominates the lightweight division and is considered the successor to Khabib Nurmagomedov. At the same time, many of our compatriots are already on the way to the coveted belt, which literally has a few steps left. We offer to predict who will become the next holder of the title of UFC champion of Russia.
Below is the “Grades” functionality. The list is formed according to the votes of users in online mode. If you want to move your favorite up in the ranking, click the up arrow “↑”. If you think any option should be listed below, press the down arrow “↓”.
Ranking: Russia’s Next UFC Champion
Photo: Carmen Mandato/Getty Images
Sergey Pavlovich
Sergei Pavlovich is a Russian heavyweight who literally destroys his division. It all started not so optimistic, with a defeat for Alistair Overeem. But then our hero began to rewrite the history of the UFC. Six wins in a row, all by first-round knockout, fantastic. The losing list included the top fighters in the league: Marcelo Golm, Maurice Green, Shamil Abdurahimov, Derrick Lewis, Ty Tuivasa and Curtis Blades. Sergei is already predicting a title fight with Jon Jones.
Photo: CHRIS UNGER/GETTY IMAGES
Magomed Ankalaev
Magomed Ankalaev is a Russian representative of light heavyweight and the second number in the ranking. He has a decent record: 18-1-1. In the UFC, he went on a nine-fight winning streak and received a title shot, but the fight with Jan Blachowicz ended in a draw. The Russian dominated, but the judges made a controversial decision. As a result, the title went to Jamal Hill, and Ankalaev will be forced to return to the league leadership again.
Photo: JEFF BOTTARI/GETTY IMAGES
Movsar Evloev
Movsar Evloev is an undefeated Russian with a 17-0 record in MMA. He wins in the UFC so far exclusively by decisions. In addition, Movsar was inactive for almost a year and entered the octagon quite recently – on May 6, 2023. Diego Lopez acted as an opponent, the guys shot the “Fight of the Night”, and Evloev was on the verge of defeat several times. . But due to his character and will, the Russian won, making a UFC record 7-0 and climbing to 10th in the rankings of the featherweight division.
Photo: JEFF BOTTARI/GETTY IMAGES
pedro yan
Peter Yan is a Russian who represents the lightest division. He is in fifth place in the ranking. Also, the Merciless already wore a shoulder belt, but he lost it in a battle with Aljamain Sterling. Frankly speaking, the chances of returning the title shot are illusory. The Russian has four losses in his last five fights. But Ian is eager to have a rematch with Aljo. The main thing is to start earning as soon as possible.
Photo: JEFF BOTTARI/GETTY IMAGES
Arman Tsarukyan
Arman Tsarukyan has dual citizenship. He has Russian and Armenian passports. Big talent with a 19-3 record in MMA. But all his defeats in the UFC were in battles with the strongest opponents – Islam Makhachev, Mateusz Gamrot. In addition, on both occasions a judicial decision was reached. And the referee’s verdict with the Polo is still considered a uniform theft. Tsarukyan booked the last fight with Damir Ismagulov. Now his record in the best promotion on the planet is 6-2. And Arman’s main goal is a rematch with the champion Makhachev.
Photo: James Gilbert/Getty Images
Khamzat Chimaev
Khamzat Chimaev was simply bound to be on this list. As he considers himself Russian: “I am not just a native of Russia, you can say that I represent Russia.” Borz moved up to welterweight and immediately flew up to fourth in the standings. The undefeated fighter is 6-0 in the UFC and is pushing for the belt. In the last fight, Khamzat tore Kevin Holland apart in two minutes. If the news is confirmed, Kamaru Usman awaits Chimaev in the next fight.
Photo: Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images
Valentina Shevchenko
Valentina Shevchenko is the only girl who got into this selection. She also claimed that she is Russian by blood, although she represents Kyrgyzstan in the UFC. In general, she has three passports at once! Russian, Kyrgyz and Peruvian. For a long time, Bullet totally dominated the women’s flyweight division and held the title. But the Mexican Alexa Grasso appeared, who interrupted her winning streak and took her belt. Now Shevchenko is burning with a desire for revenge, and the league bosses are apparently ready to organize it.
Photo: JEFF BOTTARI/GETTY IMAGES
Umar Nurmagomedov
Umar Nurmagomedov is the cousin of Khabib Nurmagomedov, who competes in the UFC’s bantamweight division. So far, he is only ranked 11th. But right now he is predicted to be a champion. This is because the undefeated Russian is 16-0 in MMA. He stormed into the best promotion on the planet with 4 wins in a row. The list of losers includes Sergey Morozov, Brian Kelleher, Nathan Maness and Raoni Barcelos. In the last fight with the Brazilian, Umar showed that he was capable of knocking out opponents in a standing position.
Photo: Dmitry Golubovich, Championship
Abubakar Nurmagomedov
Abubakar Nurmagomedov is a dark horse in the welterweight division. He has a powerful 17-3-1 record in MMA. Yes, and in the UFC, Khabib’s cousin flew brilliantly. First, he lost early to David Zavada. But then he corrected himself and won two victories in a row: over Jared Gooden and Gadzhi Omargadzhiev. A relative of the Eagle this weekend will fight with a new opponent. His opponent will be Eliseu dos Santos Zaleski.
Photo: CHRIS UNGER/GETTY IMAGES
Alexander Volkov
Alexander Volkov is a heavyweight who has been featured in the best promotion on the planet since 2016. The Russian in the UFC has a 10-4 stat. Also, Drago is on a successful streak. He first knocked out Jairzinho Rozenstruik and then he knocked out Alexander Romanov. And he each time he didn’t need more than one round. Therefore, in the future, Volkov may well count on promotion in the title race, if he does not slow down and continue to win.
These are far from all Russians competing in the UFC. If you think that one of the remaining representatives of our country will reach the title first, write your opinion in the comments.
