The UFC has released updated rankings with several notable changes. Arman Tsarukyan moved up two spots in the pound-for-pound rankings, reportedly due to victories in wrestling and grappling tournaments. Roman Dolidze has overtaken Paulo Costa in the middleweight rankings following Dolidze's successful light heavyweight debut where he defeated sixth-ranked Azamat Murzakanov. Costa himself entered the light heavyweight rankings at seventh position. Aaron Pico has broken into the top 15 at featherweight. Josh Hokit will debut in the rankings at fifth place in the heavyweight division.
The UFC released updated rankings on April 14, with several fighters shifting positions across multiple divisions following recent competitive results.
Arman Tsarukyan climbed two spots in the pound-for-pound rankings, a rise the UFC attributed to victories in wrestling and grappling tournaments rather than an in-cage bout.
Roman Dolidze, 37, has moved ahead of Paulo Costa in the middleweight standings and now sits at number 12 in that division. The Georgian fighter, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, made a successful transition to light heavyweight with a win over sixth-ranked Azamat Murzakanov. Dolidze carries a 15-5 record and brings a well-rounded game to the cage, averaging 1.16 takedowns and 0.7 submission attempts per 15 minutes alongside 3.19 significant strikes landed per minute. At six-foot-two with a 76-inch reach, he has the frame to compete comfortably at 205 pounds.
Costa, now ranked 13th at middleweight after being leapfrogged by Dolidze, has simultaneously entered the light heavyweight rankings at seventh. The 35-year-old Brazilian holds a 16-4 record and remains one of the sport's most prolific strikers, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy. He stands six-foot-one with a 72-inch reach.
Aaron Pico has broken into the featherweight top 15. The 29-year-old American from Jackson-Wink MMA carries a 14-5 record and an eye-catching takedown rate of 8.96 per 15 minutes. Josh Hokit enters the heavyweight rankings at fifth place in his debut appearance on the divisional list.
Why it matters
- Dolidze is now a legitimate two-division threat, ranked inside the top 15 at both middleweight and light heavyweight
- Costa's dual placement raises questions about his divisional future and where he competes next
- Pico's top-15 entry at featherweight marks a significant milestone in his development as a contender
