The UFC has released updated divisional rankings following recent events. In the welterweight division, Ian Garry has claimed the number one contender spot, while Carlos Prates jumped to second place. Jack Della Maddalena dropped to fourth in the same division. At lightweight, Quillan Salcido broke into the top 15, pushing Beneil Dariush down to 14th. In the heavyweight division, Brendo Pericic entered the top 15 rankings for the first time.
The UFC's latest divisional rankings update, released on May 5, 2026, has reshuffled the welterweight and lightweight top fifteens and welcomed a new face into the heavyweight rankings.
At welterweight, Ian Garry has climbed to the number one contender position, while Carlos Prates — known as "The Nightmare" — surged to second place. Prates, a 32-year-old Brazilian fighting out of Vale Top Team, carries a 24-7 record and brings a long, threatening frame to the division at six-foot-one with a 78-inch reach. His striking accuracy of 55 percent ranks among the sharper outputs in the welterweight class.
Jack Della Maddalena slips to fourth in the division following the update. The 29-year-old Australian, representing Scrappy MMA, holds an 18-4 record and remains one of the more prolific strikers in the weight class, landing 5.57 significant strikes per minute at 51 percent accuracy. He also holds the number 13 spot in the pound-for-pound rankings.
At lightweight, Quillan Salcido has broken into the top 15, nudging veteran Beneil Dariush down to 14th. Dariush, a 37-year-old southpaw from Kings MMA representing the United States, owns a 23-8-1 record and contributes on multiple fronts, averaging 2.11 takedowns per 15 minutes alongside a 49 percent striking accuracy rate.
In the heavyweight division, Brendon Pericic has entered the top 15 for the first time, marking a significant milestone in his UFC career.
Why it matters
- Garry's rise to number one at welterweight sets him up as the most likely next title challenger in the division.
- Prates at second place means two of the top three welterweights are aggressive, high-volume strikers, shaping how contenders will need to prepare.
- Dariush's drop to 14th at 37 years old raises questions about his path back toward contention at lightweight.
- Pericic's first appearance in the heavyweight top 15 opens a new chapter of competition for him against ranked opposition.
