The UFC has released updated rankings with several notable changes. Arman Tsarukyan moved up two spots in the pound-for-pound rankings following his victories in wrestling and grappling tournaments. Roman Dolidze surpassed Paulo Costa in the middleweight rankings after Dolidze's successful light heavyweight debut where he defeated #6 ranked Azamat Murzakanov. Costa entered the light heavyweight rankings at #7 following his move up in weight class. Aaron Pico made his debut in the top 15 of the featherweight division. Josh Hockit enters the heavyweight rankings immediately at #5 in his debut.
The UFC released its latest official rankings on April 14, with a handful of moves shaking up three separate divisions and the pound-for-pound list.
Arman Tsarukyan climbed two spots in the pound-for-pound rankings after picking up victories in wrestling and grappling competition, reflecting the organization's recognition of achievements outside the Octagon.
Roman Dolidze, now 15-5 and ranked number 12 at middleweight, moved past compatriot Paulo Costa in the 185-pound standings following a successful light heavyweight debut in which he defeated ranked contender Azamat Murzakanov. The 37-year-old Georgian, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, stands six-foot-two with a 76-inch reach and averages 1.16 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside 0.7 submission attempts per 15 minutes — a grappling-oriented profile that translated well in his debut at 205 pounds.
Costa, the 35-year-old Brazilian known as The Eraser, fell to number 13 at middleweight as a result of Dolidze's rise. The move up to light heavyweight also earned Costa an entry into that division's rankings at number seven. Carrying a 16-4 record, Costa remains one of the more prolific strikers in the sport, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy.
Aaron Pico checks into the featherweight top 15 for the first time. The 29-year-old American out of Jackson-Wink MMA owns a 14-5 record and an extraordinary takedown rate of 8.96 per 15 minutes, pairing his wrestling credentials with 3.88 significant strikes landed per minute at 144-pound competition.
Why it matters
- Dolidze's double-division presence adds complexity to both the middleweight and light heavyweight title pictures
- Costa's entry at light heavyweight number seven immediately positions him as a contender in a loaded 205-pound division
- Pico's top-15 featherweight debut signals his emergence as a legitimate divisional factor after years as a prospect
- Tsarukyan's pound-for-pound rise keeps pressure on the lightweight title conversation
