The UFC has released updated official rankings with significant changes in the welterweight division. Yaroslav Amosov has entered the rankings for the first time, debuting at number 15 in the welterweight division. Mike Malott has also broken into the top rankings, entering at number 11 welterweight. Meanwhile, Colby Covington has dropped out of the top 15 rankings entirely after previously holding a position in that tier. These ranking shifts reflect recent performances and the evolving competitive landscape in the 170-pound weight class.
The UFC's official welterweight rankings have undergone a notable reshuffle, with two fighters entering the top 15 and a former title contender falling out entirely as of April 21, 2026.
Yaroslav Amosov makes his first appearance in the UFC's official 170-pound rankings, slotting in at number 15. The 32-year-old Orthodox striker carries an impressive 30-1-0 professional record and brings an exceptionally well-rounded skillset to the division. Standing six feet tall with a 75-inch reach, Amosov averages 4.64 takedowns per 15 minutes and a remarkable 4.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him one of the more dangerous grapplers to enter the ranked picture. His striking accuracy sits at 47 percent.
Mike Malott, known as "Proper," debuts even higher, entering the welterweight rankings at number 11. The 34-year-old Canadian, who trains out of Team Alpha Male, holds a 14-2-1 record and stands six-foot-one with a 73-inch reach. Malott lands 3.93 significant strikes per minute at a 48 percent accuracy rate, among the sharper outputs in the division, and supplements his striking with 1.88 takedowns per 15 minutes.
The reshuffle comes at the expense of Colby Covington, who has dropped out of the top 15 entirely. The 38-year-old American, training out of MMA Masters, held a record of 17-5-0 and was long considered one of welterweight's defining presences. Standing five-foot-eleven with a 72-inch reach, Covington built his reputation on relentless pressure and a 3.64 takedown average per 15 minutes.
Why it matters
- Amosov's grappling volume could immediately threaten established contenders in the lower tier of the rankings
- Malott's entry at number 11 puts him within striking distance of the top ten and potentially title-eliminator bouts
- Covington's exit from the top 15 marks a significant shift in his divisional standing after years near the top of the rankings
