The UFC has updated its official rankings with several movements across divisions. Aaron Pico entered the featherweight top 15 at thirteenth place, while Patricio Pitbull dropped to fifteenth. Josh Hokit climbed to fifth place in the heavyweight division, pushing Curtis Blaydes down to sixth. Paulo Costa entered the light heavyweight top 15 at seventh position, while Azamat Murzakanov dropped to eighth place. These changes reflect recent fight results and divisional shifts.
The UFC released an updated set of official rankings on April 14, 2026, producing notable movement across three divisions as recent fight results reshaped the landscape at featherweight, heavyweight, and light heavyweight.
At featherweight, Aaron Pico enters the top 15 for the first time, landing at thirteenth place. The 29-year-old American, who trains out of Jackson-Wink MMA, carries a 14-5 record and brings a formidable grappling threat to the division, averaging an impressive 8.96 takedowns per 15 minutes. Standing five-foot-eight with a 70-inch reach, Pico's arrival nudges veteran Patricio "Pitbull" Freire down to fifteenth. The 38-year-old Brazilian, representing Pitbull Brothers and holding a storied 37-9 record, remains a divisional presence despite the slip, averaging 0.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes alongside his measured striking game.
In the heavyweight division, Josh Hokit climbs to fifth place, displacing Curtis Blaydes, who falls to sixth. The light heavyweight picture also shifts, with Paulo Costa entering the top 15 at seventh. The Brazilian known as "The Eraser" holds a 16-4 record and trains with Team Borracha. Listed at six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach, Costa is one of the sport's most prolific pressure strikers, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate. His arrival pushes Azamat Murzakanov down to eighth.
Why it matters
- Pico's featherweight debut in the rankings signals he has made a credible transition and could threaten established veterans in the division
- Costa's entry at light heavyweight at seventh place raises questions about divisional intent for a fighter whose database listing still reflects middleweight
- Hokit's jump to fifth at heavyweight applies new pressure to the contender picture and further marginalizes Blaydes in the title conversation
