The UFC has updated its official rankings with several movements across divisions. Aaron Pico has entered the featherweight top 15 at number 13, pushing Patricio Pitbull down to 15th place. In the heavyweight division, Josh Hockit climbed to fifth place, dropping Curtis Blaydes to sixth. Paulo Costa entered the light heavyweight rankings at number seven following his move up from middleweight. Azamat Murzakanov dropped to eighth place in the light heavyweight division after his loss to Costa.
The UFC's latest official rankings update, released April 14, 2026, brings notable movement across the featherweight, heavyweight, and light heavyweight divisions.
Aaron Pico is the headline arrival in the featherweight rankings, entering the top 15 at number 13. The 29-year-old American, who trains out of Jackson-Wink MMA, carries a 14-5 record and has built a reputation as a relentless wrestling threat, averaging an eye-catching 8.96 takedowns per 15 minutes. Standing five-foot-eight with a 70-inch reach, the orthodox fighter has also shown steady striking output at 3.88 significant strikes per minute. His entry pushes Patricio "Pitbull" Ferreira down to 15th place. The Brazilian veteran, 38, represents one of combat sports' most decorated careers, holding a 37-9 record across his time competing at featherweight. He averages 0.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes alongside a measured 2.68 significant strikes per minute.
In the heavyweight division, Josh Hockit climbed to fifth place, pushing Curtis Blaydes down to sixth, though verified data for either fighter was not available in this update.
The light heavyweight division also saw significant reshuffling following Paulo Costa's move up from middleweight. The Brazilian finisher, nicknamed "The Eraser," enters the 205-pound rankings at number seven. Fighting out of Team Borracha at 35 years old, Costa owns a 16-4 record and brings one of MMA's most aggressive striking profiles — landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy, a remarkably high output for any division. His arrival coincides with Azamat Murzakanov dropping to eighth following his loss to Costa.
Why it matters
- Pico's featherweight entry signals the UFC's recognition of his recent form and raises the stakes for established contenders in the division
- Costa's jump to light heavyweight immediately places him among the top ten, giving the 205-pound division a potent new striker with proven finishing ability
- Blaydes slipping to sixth in heavyweight tightens an already competitive top-ten landscape at the division's upper ranks
