411 MMA Rankings 07.14.09: Welterweight Division
Posted by Jonathan Solomon on 07.14.2009
Georges St. Pierre dominated another fight as he is still the best in the world. How does the rest of the list look after Thiago Alves and Marcus Davis tasted defeat while Jake Shields, Jon Fitch and Nick Diaz all won. Who is the new #2 welterweight in the world? Find out everything you need to know with the latest 411mania MMA rankings.
Welcome to another week of 411mania MMA rankings as we highlight the best welterweights in the world. We are coming off the biggest UFC event of the year which saw Georges St. Pierre retain his championship against Thiago Alves. Much like GSP's win over Jon Fitch last year, there was never a point where the champion was in danger of losing the fight. Many are now asking when GSP will move up in weight so the question for you, is there anyone on the list you think can unseat GSP?
The fighters at the top have been active. Besides GSP and Alves, Jon Fitch defeated Paulo Thiago (handing him his first professional defeat) in the final UFC 100 fight and Jake Shields made quick work of Robbie Lawler. Is the impressive win by Shields enough to boost him all the way up to second place?
Long time welterweight contender Marcus Davis may be M.I.A. this month following his UFC 99 loss. There are definitely a slew of new names ranked and among them is "Outlaw" Dan Hardy, the man who defeated Davis in Germany.
Below is feedback to last week's light heavyweight rankings and afterwards, enjoy the updated welterweight rankings.
Matrix says, "Bones should be higher, and will be higher with more wins over higher competition. He should at least be higher than the waning Liddell...I still like Jardine where he is. People will bitch about it but he beat 2 former LHW champs and the current #2 LHW couldn't put him away. So hopefully people don't gripe about it." Bones needed wins to get up the list, his lone name win is against Bonnar. Thanks for the support about Jardine, some don't like the guy.
According to Joe, "jardine is 2-3 in his last five fights and his two wons were by split decision. Not very dominating. he should be out of the top 10. Luiz should be higher that jardine." While Jardine may be a bit high when talking about records, two of those losses came by KO. It was not as if he was dominated, and he fought his own against Rampage, too. Not a stretch for him to be among the top 10.
ERX says to bring down expectations a bit, "I disagree Bones should not be higher he has not beat anyone of note just yet. YES he was very flashy in his first two UFC wins but so was Houston Alexander and we all know how that worked out." Good point.
'ol Punchdrunk asks, "Anyone else think Mousasi will be in the "Top 3" of this list within the next year?" Nope. For Mousasi to be a top 3 205er, he will need to leapfrog the likes of Shogun, Rampage, Shogun, Evans, Griffin, etc. Can Mousasi do just that against non-UFC competition? He will be fighting Babalu but how many top light heavy's are out there?
Todd Vote offers some constructive criticism, "Not bad. I would argue that Forrest still deserves to be ahead of Rampage, until a rematch happens. But Rampage is Rampage, so it's hard to deny him his spot. I guess after machida, spots 2-5 could all pretty much be interchanged to suit any individual....The only other thing I would change is how high Jardine is. He has moments of greatness, but to me, has been far to inconsistent to warrant such a high ranking. How are you ranked number six when you lose every other fight you are in?" Solid point about Jardine's inconsistency. I may argue that Franklin and even Nogueira should be higher, but it's not a major insult.
Stronelis believes "if ole gegard wins his fight i definitely see him top 5 if not top 3, pretty much everyone on this list outside of the top 5 or 7 has major flaws." Which fight are you referring to about Mousasi?
NDN says, "I don't think Chuck Liddell deserves a top 15 spot. He's pretty much done for....Shogun doesn't really deserve the title shot he's receiving, but all the more deserving LHWs are tied up with something else, and Machida wants to stay active, so I'm not complaining too much.....Jon Jones has looked very impressive thus far, though I don't think he quite deserves a top 15 slot yet. Not saying he won't, but I don't he's quite there yet. If he beats O'Brien, I'd be a whole lot more comfortable seeing him at #12 or #13. I mean, right now, he's a baby and he hasn't beaten anyone of note outside Bonnar. I do think in the next couple of years he's going to be a breakthrough LHW." Well, I would argue Liddell is still a top 15 fighter in this weight class. You can't tell me everyone on this list can beat Liddell nine times out of ten. C'mon, sure the guy has a losing streak, but he's still Chuck Liddell.
Chris talks Chuck, "RE: Chuck, as much as I and everyone else loves him, and no doubt a deserving Hall of Famer, anyone who is 1-4 in their last 5, should NOT be considered top 15 in the world, regardless of the class of the opponents. Especially when there is so much talent out there on the fringe of breaking into the top 15. Lets face it, if his name wasnt Chuck Liddell, he'd be either a) fighting cans on the undercard or most likely b) sacked by now.
Just throwing it out there..." If his name wasn't Chuck Liddell, I doubt anybody would care one way or the other. That's the whole point. He was once a great fighter, but has fallen off the wagon a bit. He can still win fights, it's just his chin is letting him down.
MJH says, "Decent list this week. Top 5 are spot on. After that there are a bunch of fighters similar in ability. I'd rank Franklin over Jardine based on their performances against Wanderlai. I don't think Mousasi is beating Babalu like everyone else seems to think. to me Cane is the one with the potential to rise the quickest. Jones as well, but I still need to see move of him before I am sure. And why isn't little Nog in the UFC with his brother????" Why Rogerio Nogueira is not in the UFC is a great mystery to me as well. It seems people like Luiz Cane as a sort of underdog amidst all the top names of this division.
Thanks as always for the questions and comments.
July 2008 Welterweight Rankings:
1. (KING) Georges St. Pierre
2. Jon Fitch
3. Jake Shields
4. Thiago Alves
5. Josh Koscheck
6. Carlos Condit
7. Matt Hughes
8. Matt Serra
9. Diego Sanchez
10. Karo Parisyan
Mike Swick, Brock Larson, Nick Thompson, and Yoshiyuki Yoshida were "On The Bubble."
411's MMA Ranking Rules
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411's Official MMA Rankings
Welterweight Division
1) Georges St. Pierre (19-2)
Height: 5'10
Birthday: May 19, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Thiago Alves - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 100 - July 11, 2009
- vs. BJ Penn - Win via TKO (corner stoppage) - UFC 94: St. Pierre vs. Penn II - January 31, 2009
- vs. Jon Fitch - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 87: Seek And Destroy - August 9, 2008
- vs. Matt Serra - Win via TKO (knees to body) - UFC 83: Serra vs. St. Pierre II - April 19, 2008
- vs. Matt Hughes - Win via verbal submission (arm bar) - UFC 79: Nemesis - December 29, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently Unknown
Comment: BEST IN THE WORLD~! BEST IN THE WORLD~! Expect GSP to take plenty of time off to heal all of his injuries.
2) Jon Fitch (19-3)
Height: 6'0
Birthday: February 24, 1978
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Paulo Thiago - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 100 - July 11, 2009
- vs. Akihiro Gono - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 94: St. Pierre vs. Penn II - January 31, 2009
- vs. Georges St. Pierre - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 87: Seek And Destroy - August 9, 2008
- vs. Chris Wilson - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 82: Pride Of A Champion - March 1, 2008
- vs. Diego Sanchez - Win via decision (split) - UFC 76: Knockout - September 22, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently Unknown
3) Jake Shields (23-4-1)
Height: 5'11
Birthday: January 9, 1979
Currently Fighting With: Strikeforce
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Robbie Lawler - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - Strikeforce on Showtime - June 6, 2009
- vs. Paul Daley - Win via submission (armbar) - EliteXC "Heat" - October 4, 2008
- vs. Nick Thompson - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - EliteXC: Unfinished Business - July 26, 2008
- vs. Mike Pyle - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - EliteXC: Renegade - November 10, 2007
- vs. Renato Verissimo - Win via TKO (strikes) - EliteXC: Uprising - September 15, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently Unknown
Comment: Shields may be the best non-UFC welterweight in the world and may have his sights on fighting outside his weight class because of the dearth of talent available to fight.
4) Thiago Alves (16-4)
Height: 5'9
Birthday: October 3, 1983
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Georges St. Pierre - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 100 - July 11, 2009
- vs. Josh Koscheck - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 90: Silva vs. Cote - October 25, 2008
- vs. Matt Hughes - Win via TKO (knee and punches) - UFC 85: Bedlam - June 7, 2008
- vs. Karo Parisyan - Win via TKO (knee and punches) - UFC: Fight Night 13 - April 2, 2008
- vs. Chris Lytle - Win via TKO (doctor stoppage due to cut) - UFC 78: Validation - November 17, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently Unknown
Comment: Alves drops two spots after his loss to the best man in the division.
5) Josh Koscheck (12-4)
Height: 5'10
Birthday: November 30, 1977
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Paulo Thiago - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 95: Sanchez vs. Stevenson - February 21, 2009
- vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida - Win via KO (punch) - UFC: Fight For The Troops - December 10, 2008
- vs. Thiago Alves - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 90: Silva vs. Cote - October 25, 2008
- vs. Chris Lytle - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 86: Jackson vs. Griffin - July 5, 2008
- vs. Dustin Hazelett - Win via TKO (kick and punches) - UFC 82: Pride Of A Champion - March 1, 2008
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Frank Trigg - UFC 103 - September 19, 2009
6) Martin Kampmann (15-2)
Height: 6'0
Birthday: April 17, 1982
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Carlos Condit - Win via decision (split) - UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann - April 1, 2009
- vs. Alexandre Barros - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 93: Franklin vs. Henderson - January 17, 2009
- vs. Nate Marquardt - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 88: Breakthrough - September 6, 2008
- vs. Jorge Rivera - Win via submission (guillotine) - UFC 85: Bedlam - June 7, 2008
- vs. Andrew McFedries - Win via submission (arm triangle choke) - UFC 68: Uprising - March 3, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Mike Swick - UFC 103 - September 19, 2009
7) Matt Hughes (43-7)
Height: 5'9
Birthday: October 13, 1973
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Matt Serra - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida - May 23, 2009
- vs. Thiago Alves - Loss via TKO (knee and punches) - UFC 85: Bedlam - June 7, 2008
- vs. Georges St. Pierre - Loss via verbal submission (arm bar) - UFC 79: Nemesis - December 29, 2007
- vs. Chris Lytle - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 68: Uprising - March 3, 2007
- vs. Georges St. Pierre - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 65: Bad Intentions - November 18, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently Unknown
8) Carlos Condit (23-5)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: April 26, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Martin Kampmann - Loss via decision - UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann - April 1, 2009
- vs. Hiromitsu Miura - Win via TKO (punches) - WEC 35 - August 3, 2008
- vs. Carlo Prater - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - WEC 32: Albuquerque - February 13, 2008
- vs. Brock Larson - Win via submission (armbar) - WEC 29 - August 5, 2007
- vs. John Alessio - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - WEC 26 - March 24, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Chris Lytle - UFC Fiight Night 19 - September 16, 2009
9) Mike Swick (14-2)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: June 19, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Ben Saunders - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 99: The Comeback - June 13, 2009
- vs. Jonathan Goulet - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC: Fight For The Troops - December 10, 2008
- vs. Marcus Davis - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 85: Bedlam - June 7, 2008
- vs. Josh Burkman - Win via decision (majority) - UFC: Fight Night 12 - January 23, 2008
- vs. Yushin Okami - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 69: Shootout - April 7, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Martin Kampmann - UFC 103 - September 19, 2009
10) Nick Diaz (20-7)
Height: 6'0
Birthday: August 2, 1983
Currently Fighting With: Strikeforce and DREAM
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Scott Smith - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - Strikeforce: Lawler vs. Shields - June 6, 2009
- vs. Frank Shamrock - Win via TKO (strikes) - Strikeforce on Showtime - April 11, 2009
- vs. Thomas Denny - Win via TKO (punches) - EliteXC: Unfinished Business - July 26, 2008
- vs. Muhsin Corbbrey - Win via TKO (punches) - EliteXC: Return Of The King - June 14, 2008
- vs. Katsuya Inoue - Win via TKO (corner stoppage) - DREAM 3 - May 11, 2008
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Joe Riggs - Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg - August 15, 2009
Comment: Diaz will be fighting next month to decide the first Strikeforce welterweight champion. Some consider Diaz one of the top fighters in the world but he is just able to crack the top ten of our rankings. Tough world around these parts.
11) Brock Larson (26-2)
Height: 5'11
Birthday: August 23, 1977
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Mike Pyle - Win via submission (arm triangle) - UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida - May 23, 2009
- vs. Jesse Sanders - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann - April 1, 2009
- vs. Carlo Prater - Win via TKO (punches) - WEC 35 - August 3, 2008
- vs. John Alessio - DQ (knee to downed fighter) - WEC 33: Back To Vegas - March 26, 2008
- vs. Troy Allison - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - CFX 7: Brutal - November 29, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently Unknown
12) Yoshiyuki Yoshida (10-3)
Height: 5'11
Birthday: 1974
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Brandon Wolff - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - UFC 98: Evans vs. Machida - May 23, 2009
- vs. Josh Koscheck - Loss via KO - UFC: Fight for the Troops - December 10, 2008
- vs. War Machine Koppenhaver - Win via submission (anaconda choke) - UFC 84: Ill Will - May 24, 2008
- vs. Dan Hardy - Win via DQ (low blow) - Cage Force 5 - December 1, 2007
- vs. Akira Kikuchi - Win via TKO (elbows) - Cage Force 4 - September 8, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently Unknown
13) Karo Parisyan (18-5)
Height: 5'10
Birthday: August 28, 1982
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Dong Hyun Kim - No Contest - UFC 94: St. Pierre vs. Penn II - January 31, 2009 *Parisyan failed a drug test for banned painkillers*
- vs. Thiago Alves - Loss via TKO (knees and punches) - UFC: Fight Night 13 - April 2, 2008
- vs. Ryo Chonan - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 78 - Validation - November 17, 2007
- vs. Josh Burkman - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 71: Liddell vs. Jackson - May 26, 2007
- vs. Drew Fickett - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC Fight Night 7 - December 13, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently Serving NSAC Suspension
14) Dan Hardy (22-6)
Height: 6'0
Birthday: May 17, 1982
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Marcus Davis - Win via decision (split) - UFC 99: The Comeback - June 13, 2009
- vs. Rory Markham - Win via KO (punch) - UFC 95: Sanchez vs. Stevenson - February 21, 2009
- vs. Akihiro Gono - Win via decision (split) - UFC 89: Bisping vs. Leben - October 18, 2008
- vs. Daniel Weichel - Win via TKO (elbows) - UF: Punishment - May 3, 2008
- vs. Chad Reiner - Win via TKO (punches) - CWFC: Enter The Rough House 6 - April 19, 2008
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently Unknown
15) Hayato Sakurai (35-8-2)
Height: 5'7
Currently Fighting With: DREAM
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Shinya Aoki - Win via TKO (strikes) - DREAM 8: Welterweight Grand Prix Opening Round - April 5, 2009
- vs. Katsuyori Shibata - Win via TKO (punches) - K-1 Dynamite!! 2008 - December 31, 2008
- vs. Kuniyoshi Hironaka - Win via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 6: Middleweight Grand Prix 2008 Final - September 23, 2008
- vs. David Baron - Loss via submission (guillotine choke) - Shooto: Shooto Tradition - May 3, 2008
- vs. Hidetaka Monma - Win via TKO (punches) - DREAM 1 - March 15, 2008
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Marius Zaromskis - DREAM 10: Welterweight Grand Prix 2009 Final Round - July 20, 2009
Closing Comments: Other fighters receiving votes include Matt Serra, Jay Hieron, Marcus Davis and Dustin Hazelett, Anthony Johnson and Paulo Thiago.
Good call on Larson making #11. He will challenge for the title in 2010, wait and see.
Posted By: guest guest (Guest) on July 14, 2009 at 12:06 AM
WTF- no Twinkle Toes?!? ...I kid. I kid.
Some are too high, some are too low... but it's all opinion and close enough so it doesn't really matter.
Posted By: cyks (Guest) on July 14, 2009 at 12:18 AM
Alves drops two places? He would still murder Jake Shields....
Posted By: Brad (Guest) on July 14, 2009 at 12:22 AM
Mach is waaay too low. Karo isn't really top 15, I don't think. Other than that, good list.
Posted By: J (Guest) on July 14, 2009 at 01:23 AM
Stun Gun?
Posted By: Alex Mattis (Guest) on July 14, 2009 at 03:37 AM
Pretty good list,however there are two things that I dont like:
1. I dont think Alves should drop two spots,he did what one can do vs GSP. He is no.3 on my list,definitely above Shields.
2. Paulo Thiago should be definitely on the list. He knocked out the no.5 spot Koscheck in his debut,than had a nice jiu-jitsu match against Fitch,who is unquestionably no.2,and prbably would run through everybody not named GSP. He should be in the second half of the top10.
Other than that,good choices
Posted By: SoulBrotherNo1 (Guest) on July 14, 2009 at 08:46 AM
well I disagree with a lot of things on this list.
For one, Thiago Alves should be #2 still - if anything #3. Thiago Alves has defeated MUCH bigger names than John Fitch (and Jake Shields), and he put up a much better fight against GSP than Fitch did.
I personally think Koscheck is overrated.
I also don't see why Stun Gun is never mentioned, yet Karo is always put so high on peoples rankings. A lot of people think Stun Gun beat Karo, so at the very least shouldn't he be near him?
Posted By: Chris G (Guest) on July 14, 2009 at 08:52 AM
In regards to Jardine: How the fuck does getting knocked out mean you weren't dominated in a fight??????
Posted By: HBK (Guest) on July 14, 2009 at 09:36 AM
I used to really like Karo... but once I found out he's 1) a cheater and 2) a crybaby I stopped being a fan. There's just no excuse for what he did.
Posted By: NDN (Guest) on July 14, 2009 at 10:07 AM
This is one of the tougher divisions to rank.
My initial thought was that Nick Diaz (who I dispise) was rated too low because no one knows exactly which division he belongs. Then I looked at his last 5 fights, and he really hasn't beaten anyone relevant in today's game.
I'd find a spot for Rumble on the list.
Karo should NOT be on the list.
Fitch and Alves are 2a and 2b to me - something I didn't realize - why doesn't Fitch get bashed for being a guy who always goes to decisions? I like Fitch, but when was the last time he finished a fight?
Jake needs to get to the UFC. He needs some fights in his own weight division.
Posted By: MJH (Guest) on July 14, 2009 at 01:31 PM
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