The UFC rankings have been updated with several notable changes. Arman Tsarukyan moved up two spots in the pound-for-pound rankings due to victories in wrestling and grappling tournaments. Roman Dolidze surpassed Paulo Costa in the middleweight rankings after Costa successfully debuted at light heavyweight by defeating the No. 6 ranked Azamat Murzakanov. Costa himself entered the light heavyweight rankings at No. 7. Aaron Pico entered the top 15 at featherweight, and Josh Hocket debuted at No. 5 in the heavyweight rankings.
The UFC's latest rankings update, released on April 14, 2026, brings several significant shifts across multiple divisions, headlined by Arman Tsarukyan climbing two spots in the pound-for-pound standings following victories in wrestling and grappling tournaments.
Paulo Costa's move up to light heavyweight has triggered a reshuffle at middleweight. The Brazilian striker, known as "The Eraser," carries a 16-4 record and had been competing at 185 pounds, where he now sits thirteenth in the divisional rankings. At 35 years old and standing six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach, Costa is one of the most prolific strikers in the sport, averaging 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy. His successful debut at light heavyweight, which came via a win over then-No. 6 ranked Azamat Murzakanov, earned him an immediate entry into the 205-pound top fifteen at No. 7.
With Costa shifting divisions, Roman Dolidze has moved ahead of him in the middleweight rankings, now sitting twelfth. The 37-year-old Georgian, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, holds a 15-5 record and brings a well-rounded game to the cage. Standing six-foot-two with a 76-inch reach, Dolidze averages 1.16 takedowns per 15 minutes and 0.7 submission attempts per 15 minutes, giving him a credible path to trouble opponents in multiple areas.
Aaron Pico also broke into the featherweight top 15 with this update. The 29-year-old American out of Jackson-Wink MMA owns a 14-5 record and has drawn attention for his extraordinary takedown rate of 8.96 per 15 minutes, an elite-level wrestling output that makes him a genuine threat in the division.
Why it matters
- Costa's jump to light heavyweight reshuffles the top 15 in both the 185 and 205-pound divisions simultaneously
- Dolidze moving to No. 12 at middleweight puts him closer to the top ten in a crowded division
- Pico's featherweight ranking debut signals rising expectations for one of the division's more dynamic prospects
- Tsarukyan's pound-for-pound climb reflects recognition beyond octagon results alone
