Charles Oliveira has officially been removed from the UFC’s pound-for-pound top 15. ❌😳 The latest UFC P4P rankings have Oliveira dropping out, with Carlos Ulberg taking the final spot at number 15. Meanwhile, Justin Gaethje has climbed to number 3, Joshua Van jumped five spots to number 6, and Arman Tsarukyan moved up to number 13. Oliveira is one of the most accomplished fighters in UFC history, but he’s now outside the promotion’s official P4P rankings. Was removing Charles Oliveira from the top 15 fair? 👀 #CharlesOliveira #UFC #UFCRankings #P4P #MMA
Charles Oliveira has fallen out of the UFC's official pound-for-pound top 15, according to the promotion's latest rankings update released around September 23, 2026.
Oliveira, 36, holds a career record of 37 wins and 11 losses and currently sits third in the lightweight division. The Brazilian out of Chute Boxe Diego Lima is widely regarded as one of the most decorated fighters in UFC history, having built his reputation on relentless submission hunting — he averages 2.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes — while also landing significant strikes at a rate of 3.35 per minute with 54 percent accuracy. Despite that résumé, he no longer appears among the 15 fighters the UFC recognizes as the best in the sport regardless of weight class.
The rankings shift saw several notable movers. Justin Gaethje climbed to number three on the pound-for-pound list, while Joshua Van jumped five spots to number six. Van, the 24-year-old flyweight champion from Myanmar, carries an 18-2 record and a striking output of 8.26 significant strikes per minute, making him one of the most active offensive fighters in the organization. Arman Tsarukyan also moved up, landing at number 13.
The final spot Oliveira vacated went to Carlos Ulberg, the light heavyweight champion from New Zealand. Ulberg, 35, is 15-1 and fights out of City Kickboxing. Standing six-foot-four with a 77-inch reach, he lands 6.54 significant strikes per minute at 55 percent accuracy, a profile that made a compelling case for his inclusion.
Why it matters
- Oliveira losing his pound-for-pound spot signals a shift in how the media panel views his recent activity and results relative to other contenders.
- Ulberg's entry reflects the recognition his light heavyweight title reign has earned him across divisions.
- Van's five-place jump underscores the growing profile of the flyweight division under his championship.
- The changes at the top of the pound-for-pound list, including Gaethje reaching number three, reshape the narrative heading into the division's next cycle of title contention.
