Multiple fighters saw their rankings shift across different weight classes. Aaron Pico entered the featherweight rankings at number 13, while Patricio Pitbull dropped to 15th. In the heavyweight division, Josh Hawkit moved up to 5th place, pushing Curtis Blaydes down to 6th. Perhaps most notably, Paulo Costa broke into the light heavyweight top 10 at number 6, causing Azamat Murzakanov to slip to 7th. These ranking updates reflect recent performances and shifting landscapes across multiple UFC divisions.
The latest round of UFC rankings updates has reshuffled several divisions, with Aaron Pico cracking the featherweight top 15 and Paulo Costa making a notable jump into the light heavyweight rankings as of April 14, 2026.
Pico, 29, enters the featherweight rankings at number 13 after a run of performances that have made the American a legitimate divisional threat. The Jackson-Wink MMA product carries a 14-5 record and brings an elite wrestling base to the 145-pound class, averaging an exceptional 8.96 takedowns per 15 minutes. At five-foot-eight with a 70-inch reach, the orthodox fighter has built his reputation on controlling opponents and finishing fights.
His arrival pushes Patricio "Pitbull" Ferreira down to 15th. The Brazilian veteran, now 38, holds a storied 37-9 record and competes out of the Pitbull Brothers camp. Despite the rankings slide, he remains one of the most experienced fighters in the division, with a 67-inch reach and a submission attempt rate of 0.6 per 15 minutes rounding out his well-rounded game.
The most striking move across divisions belongs to Paulo Costa. The Brazilian known as "The Eraser" has broken into the light heavyweight top 10 at number 6, displacing Azamat Murzakanov to 7th. Costa, 35, carries a 16-4 record and is officially listed as a middleweight at number 13 in that division. His move up the rankings at 205 pounds underscores his crossover appeal. He lands 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy — among the highest output rates in the sport — and stands six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach.
Why it matters
- Pico's top-15 entry signals he is a legitimate featherweight contender after building momentum at 145 pounds
- Costa cracking the light heavyweight top 10 raises the possibility of high-profile matchups at a second weight class
- Blaydes sliding to 6th in heavyweight and Murzakanov dropping to 7th reflect how active competition is reshaping multiple divisions simultaneously
