The UFC has released updated rankings across multiple divisions. Aaron Pico entered the featherweight top 15 at number 13, pushing Patricio Pitbull down to 15th. Josh Hockit climbed to fifth in the heavyweight division, dropping Curtis Blaydes to sixth. Paulo Costa debuted at seventh in the light heavyweight rankings following his divisional move. Azamat Murzakanov fell to eighth in light heavyweight after his loss to Costa. These changes reflect recent fight results and divisional shifts.
The UFC released its latest official rankings on April 14, 2026, with four fighters seeing their standings shift across the featherweight, heavyweight, and light heavyweight divisions following recent results and a high-profile divisional move.
Aaron Pico made his entrance into the featherweight top 15, landing at number 13. The 29-year-old American, who trains out of Jackson-Wink MMA, carries a 14-5 record and brings an elite wrestling pedigree to the division, averaging nearly nine takedowns per 15 minutes. Standing five-foot-eight with a 70-inch reach, Pico's arrival pushed veteran Patricio Pitbull down to 15th in the division. Pitbull, the 38-year-old Brazilian known as "Pitbull," holds a 37-9 record and brings experience and submission danger to the featherweight mix, averaging 0.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes across his career.
Paulo Costa debuts in the light heavyweight rankings at seventh following his move away from middleweight. The Brazilian known as "The Eraser" is 35 years old, stands six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach, and owns a 16-4 record. He lands 6.26 significant strikes per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate, making him one of the more dangerous strikers now operating at 205 pounds. His arrival pushed Azamat Murzakanov down to eighth in the division. Josh Hockit also moved up the heavyweight ladder, climbing to fifth and knocking Curtis Blaydes down to sixth.
Why it matters
- Pico's entry at featherweight number 13 signals a competitive shakeup in the top 15, with Pitbull sliding to 15th despite his decorated record
- Costa's light heavyweight debut at seventh gives the division a proven high-volume striker with championship-level credentials from middleweight
- Hockit's rise to fifth in heavyweight adds further pressure on Blaydes, who now sits just outside the top five
