The UFC has released updated rankings with several movements across divisions. Aaron Pico entered the featherweight top 15 at #13, while Patricio Pitbull dropped to #15. In the heavyweight division, Josh Hawkit rose to #5 with Curtis Blaydes falling to #6. Paulo Costa made his debut in the light heavyweight rankings at #7 following his victory, while Azamat Murzakanov dropped to #8. These changes reflect recent fight results and divisional shifts.
The UFC's latest rankings update, released on April 14, 2026, has reshuffled several divisions, with Aaron Pico earning his first top-15 placement in featherweight, Paulo Costa debuting in the light heavyweight rankings, and Josh Hawkit climbing to fifth in the heavyweight division.
Pico, 29, enters the featherweight top 15 at number 13 after building a 14-5 professional record out of Jackson-Wink MMA. The American stands five-foot-eight with a 70-inch reach and operates out of an orthodox stance. His wrestling credentials stand out, as he averages an exceptional 8.96 takedowns per 15 minutes, making him one of the more physically dominant grapplers in the division. His arrival pushes veteran Patricio "Pitbull" Freire down to number 15. The Brazilian, now 38, carries a decorated 37-9 record and brings experience few featherweights can match, though the latest results have nudged him toward the edge of the rankings.
Costa, fighting out of Brazil under the Team Borracha banner, makes his light heavyweight rankings debut at number seven following his most recent victory. The 35-year-old holds a 16-4 record and has long been recognized for his aggressive output, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy — elite numbers by any measure. His entry bumps Azamat Murzakanov down one spot to number eight.
In the heavyweight division, Josh Hawkit's rise to fifth sees Curtis Blaydes fall to sixth.
Why it matters
- Pico's top-15 debut signals a legitimate featherweight contender run could be forming around his elite takedown output
- Costa's crossover into light heavyweight rankings adds a high-volume striker to an already competitive 205-pound picture
- Pitbull's slide to fifteenth raises questions about how much longer the Bellator legend can sustain his position in the UFC's featherweight pecking order
