The UFC has released updated rankings with several notable changes. Arman Tsarukyan moved up two spots in the pound-for-pound rankings, credited with victories in wrestling and grappling tournaments. Roman Dolidze surpassed Paulo Costa in the middleweight rankings following Costa's successful light heavyweight debut where he defeated sixth-ranked Azamat Murzakanov. Costa himself entered the light heavyweight rankings at number seven. Aaron Pico has entered the top 15 at featherweight, and Josh Hickett will debut in the rankings at number five in the heavyweight division.
The UFC's latest rankings update, released April 14, brings meaningful movement across several divisions, headlined by Arman Tsarukyan climbing two spots in the pound-for-pound standings on the strength of recent wrestling and grappling tournament victories.
At middleweight, Roman Dolidze has moved past Paulo Costa in the rankings. Dolidze, a 37-year-old Georgian out of Xtreme Couture, now sits at number 12 in the division with a professional record of 15-5. The six-foot-two, 193-centimeter fighter carries a 76-inch reach and 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 work.
Costa's slip at middleweight comes as the Brazilian made a move to light heavyweight, where he defeated sixth-ranked Azamat Murzakanov in his debut at 205 pounds. The 35-year-old from Team Borracha, who carries a record of 16-4 and one of the more prolific striking outputs in the sport at 6.26 significant strikes landed per minute with 58 percent accuracy, now enters the light heavyweight rankings at number seven. His middleweight ranking has dropped to 13 as a result.
At featherweight, 29-year-old American Aaron Pico has broken into the top 15. The Jackson-Wink MMA product holds a 14-5 record and brings an extraordinary wrestling-heavy style, averaging an eye-catching 8.96 takedowns per 15 minutes. The five-foot-eight Pico has a 70-inch reach and fights out of an orthodox stance.
Why it matters
- Tsarukyan's pound-for-pound rise reflects recognition of his activity and dominance outside the cage as well as in it.
- Costa's divisional jump reshuffles the middleweight top 15 and opens a new path for him at light heavyweight, where he enters immediately ranked seventh.
- Dolidze sliding ahead of Costa signals the Georgian's consistency is being rewarded despite Costa's recent high-profile result coming in a different weight class.
- Pico's entry into the featherweight rankings at 29 puts one of MMA's most touted prospects firmly on the divisional map.
