UFC rankings have been updated with several movements across divisions. Aaron Pico entered the featherweight top 15 at No. 13, pushing Patricio Pitbull down to No. 15. In the heavyweight division, Josh Hewitt moved up to No. 5 while Curtis Blaydes dropped to No. 6. Paulo Costa made his debut in the light heavyweight rankings at No. 7 following his recent move up in weight. Azamat Murzakanov fell to No. 8 in the light heavyweight rankings.
The UFC's latest rankings update, dated April 14, 2026, reshuffled three divisions, introducing a new face into the featherweight top 15 and bringing a middleweight stalwart into the light heavyweight conversation for the first time.
Aaron Pico, the 29-year-old American out of Jackson-Wink MMA, entered the featherweight rankings at No. 13 on the back of his recent performances. Pico carries a 14-5 record and stands five-foot-eight with a 70-inch reach. His most striking statistical trait is his takedown rate of nearly nine per 15 minutes, an elite figure that underscores his wrestling-heavy approach to the division.
His arrival pushed veteran Patricio "Pitbull" Pitbull down to No. 15 in the featherweight standings. The 38-year-old Brazilian, representing Pitbull Brothers, owns a massive 37-9 record accumulated across a long and decorated career. He averages 2.68 significant strikes per minute and also contributes on the ground with 0.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes.
Paulo "The Eraser" Costa makes his debut in the light heavyweight rankings at No. 7 following his move up from middleweight. The 35-year-old Brazilian from Team Borracha stands six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach and brings one of the sport's most punishing striking outputs — 6.26 significant strikes landed per minute at 58 percent accuracy. His entry pushed Azamat Murzakanov down one spot to No. 8 in the 205-pound division.
In the heavyweight rankings, Josh Hewitt climbed to No. 5 while Curtis Blaydes dropped one position to No. 6.
Why it matters
- Pico's entry at featherweight No. 13 signals growing UFC recognition for his wrestling-based game at 145 pounds
- Costa's crossover ranking at light heavyweight No. 7 immediately places him among legitimate title contenders in a second division
- Hewitt's rise to No. 5 heavyweight tightens the logjam near the top of a division where one win can swing title positioning dramatically
