The UFC has released updated rankings with several notable changes. Arman Tsarukyan moved up two spots in the pound-for-pound rankings following successful performances in wrestling and grappling tournaments. Roman Dolidze surpassed Paulo Costa in the middleweight rankings after Dolidze's successful light heavyweight debut where he defeated sixth-ranked Azamat Murzakanov. Costa himself entered the light heavyweight rankings at number seven. Aaron Pico made his way into the top 15 at featherweight. Josh Hockit will debut directly at number five 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 Arman Tsarukyan climbing two places in the pound-for-pound standings and Roman Dolidze leaping past Paulo Costa in the middleweight rankings.
Tsarukyan's rise in the pound-for-pound list follows strong performances in wrestling and grappling competition outside the cage, recognition that the lightweight contender's all-around game continues to draw attention beyond his UFC work alone.
Dolidze, the 37-year-old Georgian out of Xtreme Couture, earned his new position at number 12 in the middleweight division on the back of a successful light heavyweight debut in which he defeated sixth-ranked Azamat Murzakanov. The six-foot-two orthodox fighter carries a 76-inch reach and a well-rounded game reflected in his 1.16 takedowns per 15 minutes and 0.7 submission attempts per 15 minutes. His professional record now stands at 15-5.
Costa, the 35-year-old Brazilian known as The Eraser, slips to number 13 at middleweight following Dolidze's overtaking move. The hard-hitting orthodox striker lands 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy, among the sharper outputs in the division. His move up to light heavyweight has earned him an entry into that rankings list at number seven.
Aaron Pico, the 29-year-old American from Jackson-Wink MMA, broke into the featherweight top 15 with his new ranking. Standing five-foot-eight with a 70-inch reach, Pico carries a 14-5 record and an extraordinary takedown rate of 8.96 per 15 minutes, making him one of the more wrestling-heavy presences in the featherweight division.
Why it matters
- Dolidze now holds ranked positions relevant to two divisions after his light heavyweight debut, complicating his competitive path going forward
- Costa's simultaneous slide in the middleweight rankings and entry into the light heavyweight top ten signals a potential divisional crossroads for him
- Pico's top-15 debut at featherweight puts him in range of ranked opponents for the first time in his UFC career
- Josh Hockit enters the heavyweight rankings directly at number five, an unusually high debut placement that immediately positions him among the division's elite
