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 successfully debuting at light heavyweight with a win over sixth-ranked Azamat Murzakanov. Costa now holds the seventh spot in the light heavyweight division. Aaron Pico entered the top 15 at featherweight, while Josh Hokit debuted directly at fifth in the heavyweight rankings.
The UFC's latest rankings update, released on April 14, 2026, brings meaningful movement across several divisions, headlined by Arman Tsarukyan climbing two spots in the pound-for-pound list and Roman Dolidze leapfrogging Paulo Costa at middleweight.
Tsarukyan's rise in the pound-for-pound standings comes on the back of victories in wrestling and grappling competitions outside the cage, recognition that his dominance extends beyond MMA competition alone.
Dolidze, the 37-year-old Georgian fighting out of Xtreme Couture, sits at number 12 in the middleweight division with a 15-5 record. His successful light heavyweight debut — a win over sixth-ranked Azamat Murzakanov — was enough to vault him past Costa in the middleweight pecking order. Standing six-foot-two with a 76-inch reach, Dolidze averages 1.16 takedowns per 15 minutes and generates 0.7 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him a constant grappling threat.
Costa, the 35-year-old Brazilian known as "The Eraser," drops one place to 13th at middleweight and also enters the light heavyweight rankings at seventh following his own divisional move. His 16-4 record is built on elite striking output — 6.26 significant strikes landed per minute at 58 percent accuracy — numbers that still rank among the best in the sport regardless of division.
Aaron Pico, the 29-year-old American from Jackson-Wink MMA, breaks into the featherweight top 15 with his 14-5 record. Standing five-foot-eight with a 70-inch reach, Pico is a prolific wrestling-based threat, averaging a remarkable 8.96 takedowns per 15 minutes.
Josh Hokit also debuted in the rankings this cycle, entering the heavyweight division directly at fifth.
Why it matters
- Dolidze now holds positions in two divisions simultaneously, adding intrigue to his future matchmaking at both 185 and 205 pounds
- Costa's light heavyweight ranking at seventh sets up potential big-name matchups in a loaded division
- Pico's top-15 entry at featherweight signals the UFC views his recent run as title-contention worthy
