The UFC has released updated rankings across multiple divisions 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 his successful light heavyweight debut where he defeated the sixth-ranked Azamat Murzakanov. Costa himself has entered the light heavyweight rankings at number seven. Aaron Pico has broken into the top 15 at featherweight, while Josh Hokit debuts at number five in the heavyweight rankings.
The UFC released its latest divisional rankings on April 14, with several fighters making notable moves up and down the official standings across multiple weight classes.
Arman Tsarukyan climbed two spots in the pound-for-pound rankings, a rise the UFC attributed to victories in wrestling and grappling tournaments outside of competition.
Roman Dolidze, now sitting at number 12 in the middleweight division, has moved past Paulo Costa in those rankings following a successful transition to light heavyweight, where he defeated the sixth-ranked Azamat Murzakanov. The 37-year-old Georgian, who trains out of Xtreme Couture, carries a professional record of 15 wins and 5 losses. At six-foot-two with a 76-inch reach, Dolidze brings a well-rounded game to the cage, averaging 1.16 takedowns per 15 minutes and 0.7 submission attempts per 15 minutes alongside his striking output.
Costa, meanwhile, has dropped to number 13 at middleweight despite entering the light heavyweight rankings at number seven. The Brazilian known as The Eraser owns a 16-4-0 record and remains one of the division's more prolific strikers, landing 6.26 significant strikes per minute at 58 percent accuracy over the course of his career. The 35-year-old is now officially listed in two divisional rankings following his own move to 205 pounds.
At featherweight, Aaron Pico broke into the top 15 for the first time. The 29-year-old American out of Jackson-Wink MMA holds a 14-5-0 record and has shown an extraordinary takedown rate of 8.96 per 15 minutes, making him one of the more dangerous wrestlers in the division. Josh Hokit also debuted inside the top five at heavyweight, entering the rankings at number five.
Why it matters
- Dolidze's jump past Costa reshuffles the middleweight top 15 while both fighters now appear in the light heavyweight picture
- Tsarukyan's pound-for-pound rise reflects activity outside the octagon being factored into UFC assessments
- Pico's featherweight entry and Hokit's top-five heavyweight debut signal two divisions with emerging contenders to watch
