The UFC has released updated rankings for the welterweight division with several significant changes. Yaroslav Amosov has entered the rankings at number 15, marking his debut in the UFC's official top-15. Mike Malott jumped into the rankings at number 11 in the welterweight division. Former interim title challenger Colby Covington has dropped out of the top-15 entirely. These changes reflect recent performances and the evolving landscape of the 170-pound weight class. The rankings update follows recent UFC events.
The UFC's welterweight rankings have undergone a notable reshuffle, with two fighters entering the official top-15 and one prominent name falling off the list entirely as of April 21, 2026.
Yaroslav Amosov makes his debut in the UFC's welterweight rankings, landing at number 15. The 32-year-old Orthodox fighter carries an impressive 30-1-0 professional record and brings a physically imposing frame at six feet tall with a 75-inch reach. His grappling numbers stand out sharply, averaging 4.64 takedowns and 4.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes, making him one of the more complete wrestlers to crack the division's top tier.
Mike Malott enters at number 11, a significant leap into the upper half of the welterweight rankings. 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, while also averaging 1.88 takedowns per 15 minutes, reflecting a well-rounded skill set.
Colby Covington, meanwhile, has dropped out of the top-15 entirely. The 38-year-old American known as "Chaos" carries a 17-5-0 record and had long been a fixture near the division's summit. A former interim title challenger, Covington built his reputation on relentless pressure and elite wrestling, averaging 3.64 takedowns per 15 minutes throughout his career. His exit from the rankings marks a significant shift in his divisional standing.
Why it matters
- Amosov's entry gives the top-15 a high-volume grappler with submission threat at nearly every position
- Malott's placement at 11 puts him within striking distance of top-ten welterweights
- Covington's departure signals a meaningful decline in his divisional relevance after years among the elite at 170 pounds
