Arman Tsarukyan climbed two spots in the pound-for-pound rankings following his victories at wrestling and grappling tournaments. Roman Dolidze leapfrogged Paulo Costa in the middleweight rankings after Costa successfully debuted at light heavyweight by defeating number six ranked Azamat Murzakanov. Costa now sits at number seven in the light heavyweight rankings, while Murzakanov dropped to eighth. Aaron Pico entered the top fifteen at featherweight, and Josh Howitt debuted at number five in the heavyweight rankings.
The UFC's latest rankings update, released on April 14, 2026, reshuffles several divisions after a mix of competitive results and outstanding performances outside the Octagon.
Arman Tsarukyan earned a two-spot climb in the pound-for-pound rankings on the strength of victories at wrestling and grappling tournaments, rewarding his activity and dominance in the grappling arts.
At middleweight, Roman Dolidze moved past Paulo Costa in the rankings. The Georgian fighter, now ranked twelfth at middleweight, carries a 15-5 record and trains out of Xtreme Couture. Standing six-foot-two with a 76-inch reach, the 37-year-old averages 1.16 takedowns per fifteen minutes and attempts 0.7 submissions in the same span, giving him a well-rounded threat profile.
The move comes after Costa successfully crossed over to light heavyweight, defeating Azamat Murzakanov, who had been ranked sixth in that division. Costa, a Brazilian striker known for a punishing pace of 6.26 significant strikes landed per minute and 58 percent striking accuracy, now sits seventh in the light heavyweight rankings. Murzakanov dropped to eighth following the loss. Costa currently holds a 16-4 record and competes out of Team Borracha.
At featherweight, Aaron Pico entered the top fifteen. The 29-year-old American, affiliated with Jackson-Wink MMA, holds a 14-5 record and brings an extraordinary takedown rate of 8.96 per fifteen minutes to the division. Standing five-foot-eight with a 70-inch reach, he operates as an Orthodox fighter.
Josh Howitt also made his presence felt, debuting at number five in the heavyweight rankings.
Why it matters
- Costa's light heavyweight debut at number seven signals a legitimate divisional shift, not a one-off experiment
- Dolidze's rise to twelfth at middleweight tightens the picture in a division already crowded at the top
- Pico's featherweight top-fifteen entry and Howitt's debut at number five in heavyweight add fresh contenders to two busy divisions
