The UFC has released updated rankings with several notable changes. Arman Tsarukyan moved up two spots in the pound-for-pound rankings following his success in wrestling and grappling tournaments. Roman Dolidze overtook Paulo Costa in the middleweight rankings after Costa's successful light heavyweight debut against sixth-ranked Azamat Murzakanov. Costa now sits at seventh in the light heavyweight division. Aaron Pico entered the top 15 at featherweight, while Josh Hockett debuted directly at fifth in the heavyweight rankings.
The UFC's latest divisional and pound-for-pound rankings have been updated, bringing significant movement for several fighters including Arman Tsarukyan, Paulo Costa, Roman Dolidze, and Aaron Pico.
Tsarukyan climbed two spots in the pound-for-pound rankings, a rise the UFC attributed to his recent success in wrestling and grappling competition outside the cage.
Costa, the 35-year-old Brazilian striker known as "The Eraser," made a notable divisional shift after a successful light heavyweight debut against sixth-ranked Azamat Murzakanov. The move vaulted him into the light heavyweight top ten, where he now sits seventh. Carrying a 16-4 record and one of the more productive striking outputs in the sport at 6.26 significant strikes landed per minute with 58 percent accuracy, Costa brings genuine finishing threat to a new weight class. He currently holds a ranking of 13th at middleweight, a division he has now effectively left behind.
Georgia's Roman Dolidze capitalized on Costa's departure, overtaking him in the middleweight standings to land at 12th. Dolidze, 37, trains out of Xtreme Couture and holds a 15-5 record. Standing six-foot-two with a 76-inch reach, he averages 1.16 takedowns per 15 minutes and contributes 0.7 submission attempts per 15 minutes, giving him a well-rounded grappling threat to complement his striking.
Aaron Pico enters the featherweight top 15 for the first time. The 29-year-old American out of Jackson-Wink MMA carries a 14-5 record and stands five-foot-eight with a 70-inch reach. His takedown rate of 8.96 per 15 minutes marks him as one of the most persistent wrestling-based threats at 145 pounds.
Josh Hockett also debuted in the updated rankings, entering directly at fifth in the heavyweight division.
Why it matters
- Costa's move to light heavyweight reshapes the 205-pound top ten and effectively clears a spot in the middleweight picture
- Dolidze's climb to 12th at middleweight reflects the reshuffling Costa's departure creates
- Pico's featherweight debut in the rankings signals growing recognition of his wrestling-heavy game at 145 pounds
- Hockett entering heavyweight at fifth immediately makes him a title-contention conversation piece
