Arman Tsarukyan has moved up two spots in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings following victories in wrestling and grappling tournaments. Roman Dolidze has overtaken Paulo Costa in the middleweight rankings after Costa successfully debuted at light heavyweight by defeating number six ranked Azamat Murzakanov. Costa now occupies the seventh spot in the light heavyweight rankings. Aaron Pico has entered the top 15 at featherweight, while Josh Hokit debuts at number five in the heavyweight division. These ranking updates reflect recent performances and divisional moves.
Arman Tsarukyan has climbed two spots in the UFC pound-for-pound rankings after picking up victories in wrestling and grappling competition, while several other fighters saw their divisional standings shift in the latest ranking update released April 14.
Tsarukyan's rise at the top of the pound-for-pound list reflects activity outside the cage that the UFC has chosen to reward, underscoring the lightweight contender's commitment to his craft between fights.
At middleweight, Roman Dolidze has moved ahead of Paulo Costa in the divisional rankings. Dolidze, a 37-year-old Georgian fighter out of Xtreme Couture, now sits at number 12 in the middleweight division with a professional record of 15-5. Standing six-foot-two with a 76-inch reach, he averages 1.16 takedowns per 15 minutes and lands 3.19 significant strikes per minute, with a striking accuracy of 41 percent.
Costa, meanwhile, has made a full move to light heavyweight and enters that division's rankings at number seven following a victory over Azamat Murzakanov, who had been ranked sixth in the weight class. The 35-year-old Brazilian, fighting out of Team Borracha, holds a 16-4 record and brings one of the division's most aggressive striking profiles with him — 6.26 significant strikes landed per minute at a 58 percent accuracy rate. He stands six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach. His middleweight ranking now sits at 13 following Dolidze's move past him.
Aaron Pico, the 29-year-old Jackson-Wink product from the United States, has entered the featherweight top 15 with a 14-5 record. At five-foot-eight with a 70-inch reach, Pico generates a remarkable 8.96 takedowns per 15 minutes. Josh Hokit debuts in the heavyweight rankings at number five.
Why it matters
- Costa's light heavyweight debut at number seven immediately places him in contention in a deep division
- Dolidze's climb past Costa reshuffles the middleweight top 15
- Pico's featherweight entry signals growing recognition of his recent form
- Tsarukyan's pound-for-pound movement keeps him visible as a title threat at lightweight
