The UFC has released updated 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 Costa's successful debut at light heavyweight, where he defeated sixth-ranked Azamat Murzakanov. Costa entered the light heavyweight rankings at seventh position. Aaron Pico entered the top 15 at featherweight, and Josh Hokit debuted directly at fifth in the heavyweight rankings.
The UFC released its latest official rankings on April 14, 2026, producing a handful of meaningful shifts across several divisions, headlined by movement in the pound-for-pound list and the middleweight top 15.
Arman Tsarukyan climbed two spots in the pound-for-pound rankings after picking up victories in wrestling and grappling competition outside the octagon, a recognition of his continued activity and dominance on the mat.
At middleweight, Roman Dolidze has moved past Paulo Costa to sit at number 12 in the division. The 37-year-old Georgian, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, carries a 15-5 record and brings a well-rounded threat to the table, averaging 1.16 takedowns per 15 minutes and 0.7 submission attempts per 15 minutes. At six-foot-two with a 76-inch reach, he has the frame to match anyone in the division.
Costa's slide in the middleweight rankings comes as a direct result of his move up to light heavyweight, where the Brazilian made an immediate impact. The 35-year-old from Brazil, carrying a 16-4 record, debuted at light heavyweight with a victory over sixth-ranked Azamat Murzakanov and entered the 205-pound rankings at seventh. Costa's striking output is among the most aggressive in the sport, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy.
At featherweight, Aaron Pico broke into the top 15 for the first time. The 29-year-old American out of Jackson-Wink MMA owns a 14-5 record and is a remarkable wrestling force, averaging 8.96 takedowns per 15 minutes. At five-foot-eight with a 70-inch reach, Pico has steadily built his case for a top-15 spot.
Why it matters
- Costa's dual-division presence creates intrigue at both middleweight and light heavyweight
- Dolidze at number 12 positions him closer to the top-10 contenders at 185 pounds
- Pico's featherweight entry signals the UFC's acknowledgment of his recent run
- Tsarukyan's pound-for-pound rise reflects activity rewarded beyond in-cage results
