The UFC has released updated official rankings with several notable changes. Arman Tsarukyan moved up two spots in the pound-for-pound rankings following victories in wrestling and grappling tournaments. Roman Dolidze surpassed Paulo Costa in the middleweight rankings after successfully debuting at light heavyweight with a win over the number six ranked Azamat Murzakanov. Costa himself entered the light heavyweight rankings at number seven. Aaron Pico joined the top 15 at featherweight, while Josh Hokit debuted directly at number five in the heavyweight rankings.
The UFC released its latest official rankings on April 14, 2026, and several fighters saw significant movement across multiple divisions.
Arman Tsarukyan climbed two spots in the pound-for-pound rankings, a rise the UFC attributed to victories in wrestling and grappling competitions outside the cage.
Roman Dolidze made the sharpest move, overtaking Paulo Costa in the middleweight division and debuting in the light heavyweight rankings after stopping the number-six-ranked Azamat Murzakanov in his 205-pound debut. The 37-year-old Georgian, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, carries a 15-5 record and brings a well-rounded game to the bigger division — averaging 1.16 takedowns per 15 minutes and 0.7 submission attempts per 15 minutes, along with a six-foot-two frame and a 76-inch reach stretching 193 centimeters. He now sits at number 12 in the middleweight rankings.
Costa, a 35-year-old Brazilian fighting out of Team Borracha, fell to number 13 in the middleweight rankings while simultaneously entering the light heavyweight top 15 at number seven following his own move up in weight. The 185-centimeter striker owns a 16-4 record and one of the highest significant-strike output rates in the division at 6.26 landed per minute at 58 percent accuracy.
Aaron Pico joined the featherweight top 15 in his first appearance on the rankings. The 29-year-old American from Jackson-Wink MMA holds a 14-5 record and averages a remarkable 8.96 takedown attempts per 15 minutes, making him one of the busiest wrestlers at 145 pounds.
Why it matters
- Dolidze's simultaneous rise at middleweight and entry into the light heavyweight rankings signals genuine divisional ambition at 205 pounds.
- Costa's dual presence in two divisional rankings sets up intriguing matchup possibilities if the two meet again at light heavyweight.
- Pico's entry into the featherweight top 15 marks a significant milestone for the former Bellator prospect now competing at the sport's highest level.
