411 MMA Rankings 01.05.10: Welterweight Division
Posted by Jonathan Solomon on 01.05.2010
Crack open the champagne! 411 MMA Rankings move into 2010 as we kick it off with the best welterweights in the world. GSP, Koscheck, Fitch, Daley, Kampmann, Nick Diaz, Marius Zaromskis -- where do they all rank? Check out the full article for all the details!
Welcome back and hopefully everyone had a better New Year's than Dustin Hazelett. Did he get blasted or what? Speaking of blasted, the 411mania holiday party came and went and people are still trying to ring Jeffrey Harris off the chandelier.
UFC 108 finally came and went and if nothing else, we know Paul Daley is a mean, lean, fighting machine. After dispensing of Hazelett, it sounds like he will be in line for a BIG step up in competition with the likes of Josh Koscheck or Jon Fitch. As for Kampmann, he is still trying to rebuild after his loss to Daley last year, and made quick work of Jacob Volkmann with a tight guillotine choke. Could a rematch with Carlos Condit after their close fight (an awesome fight~!) last year, be in the works? I would not oppose it.
Although he received no votes just yet, Akihiro Gono may be a man of his word. He said after losing to Dan Hornbuckle that he would train like a mad man to improve his skills. Well, if his New Year's Eve fight with Hayato Sakurai is a clue, he did just that. With another big win or two, you should expect to see the funny man make an appearance here.
Speaking of future, there will be at least two welterweight fights of note later in the month. Monday night in Fairfax, Virginia, the UFC will host another Fight Night special and Amir Sadollah returns to fight Brad Blackburn. Although Sadollah is quite a ways away from being a ranked fighter, his potential ascension from a guy with a 0-0 record, is fun to follow.
Later in the month, Strikeforce is back on Showtime and that show features one heck of a card. Although not confirmed yet, reports say they are working on booking Jay Hieron (about time) against Joe Riggs with the winner receiving a championship shot. Speaking of championship, the main event of the card will feature the reigning DREAM welterweight champion Marius Zaromskis fighting Nick Diaz to determine the new Strikeforce welterweight champion. It should be electric.
To the feedback from last week's MIDDLEWEIGHT RANKINGS
From Brad:
Solomon, I'm willing to let the Jake Shields thing go by simply because you have the 'grapefruits' to put Hector Lombard in your list. He is an amazing and exciting fighter, well done!
Also a big 'Yay' for Jacare being placed over Maia. Thank you and credit to you for mentioning Jake Shields, Hector Lombard and "grapefruits" in the same sentence. As for Jacare, he definitely derserves to be considered a better MMA fighter than Demian Maia at this point.
From Scottyieoittie:
Well Mr. Solomon I will agree that yeah Fedor did get his nose busted but look at the weight difference. Plus Anderson Got mounted by Travis no tank Lutter. I still say if Lutter came into better shape he would of Got the win with A good chance. Too bad Lutter screwed himself by missing weight before that fight.
From GeeSpotter:
Ok. I'll be the 1st to admit that I'm no genius, but.....
If Jorge Santiago LOST to Mamed Khalidov, shouldn't he be ranked UNDER him???
Just curious, of course Mamed did not appear on enough lists to be above Santiago last month. Consider me stumped.
(in reference to someone crapping on Shields)
From Tony:
Robbie Lawler & Paul Daley are not top competition? Everyone is on Paul Daley's nuts since he beat Kampmann (not to put down Daley he is a beast) but people forget that Shields submitted him with in the past year. You speak the truth.
12/26/2008 Welterweight Rankings:
1. (KING) Georges St. Pierre
2. Jon Fitch
3. Thiago Alves
4. Jake Shields
5. Josh Koscheck
6. Carlos Condit
7. Matt Hughes
8. Mike Swick
9. Diego Sanchez
10.Marcus Davis
11. Dustin Hazelett
12. Matt Serra
13. Karo Parisyan
14. Brock Larson
15. Nick Diaz
THE CREW
The 411 MMA staff have decided to pull back the curtain to reveal Oz himself. So get out those pitchforks and light 'em if you got 'em.
So here are the nuts and bolts, the breakdown of the rankings from your favorite 411 MMA personalities:
Daniel Bonnizzio
1) Georges St-Pierre
2) Jon Fitch
3) Thiago Alves
4) Josh Koscheck
5) Nick Diaz
6) Dan Hardy
7) Paul Daley
8) Carlos Condit
9) Marius Zaromskis
10) Martin Kampmann
11) Mike Swick
12) Matt Hughes
13) Jay Hieron
14) Dan Hornbuckle
15) Paulo Thiago
Scott Kuczkowski
1. GSP
2. Fitch
3. Alves
4. Koscheck
5. Marius Zaromskis
6. Paul Daley
7. Dan Hardy
8. Nick Diaz
9. Hughes
10. Paulo Thiago
11. Swick
12. Kampmann
13. Condit
14. Jay Hieron
15. Ben Saunders
Larry Csonka
1. Georges St-Pierre
2. Jon Fitch
3. Thiago Alves
4. Josh Koscheck
5. Dan Hardy
6. Paul Daley
7. Marius Zaromskis
8. Nick Diaz
9. Martin Kampmann
10. Carlos Condit
11. Mike Swick
12. Matt Hughes
13. Jay Hieron
14. Paulo Thiago
15. Ben Saunders
Jonathan Solomon
1. GSP
2. Jon Fitch
3. Thiago Alves
4. Josh Koscheck
5. Dan Hardy
6. Paul Daley
7. Jay Hieron
8. Marius Zaromskis
9. Nick Diaz
10. Martin Kampmann
11. Mike Swick
12. Carlos Condit
13. Paulo Thiago
14. Dong Hyun Kim
15. Dan Hornbuckle
411's MMA Ranking Rules
- If a fighter hasn't fought in a year, he can not be ranked. It's not fair to people who are fighting to not be ranked because a fighter is taking a year off. However, if a fighter schedules a fight he is still eligible for being ranked.
- If a fighter appears on just one single ballot, and in the top ten, five points shall be deducted to balance out between other fighters who may have been ranked lower, but appeared on more total ballots.
- If you wish to complain about a fighter's ranking in the comments section, then please include an objective reason as to why you don't like the ranking, and include your own set of rankings if you would!
- 411's MMA Rankings are voted on by the MMA staff of 411mania. So if you are an MMA fighter and hate where you are ranked, beating just me up would be unnecessary. You would have to beat us all up, and when we are all together.....we can spread out and run away so you wouldn't even be able to catch us all anyhow.
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:
- vs. Dan Hardy - UFC 111 - March 27, 2010
Comment: GSP has talked about the possibility that UFC 111 will be his final MMA fight, if he begins training for the Olympics.
2) Jon Fitch (20-3)
Height: 6'0
Birthday: February 24, 1978
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Mike Pierce - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 107: Penn vs. Sanchez - December 12, 2009
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Thiago Alves - UFC 111 - March 27, 2010
3) 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:
- vs. Jon Fitch - UFC 111 - March 27, 2010
4) Josh Koscheck (14-4)
Height: 5'10
Birthday: November 30, 1977
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Anthony Johnson - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 106 - November 21, 2009
- vs. Frank Trigg - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 103: Belfort vs. Franklin - September 19, 2009
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Injured
5) Dan Hardy (23-6)
Height: 6'0
Birthday: May 17, 1982
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Mike Swick - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 105 - November 14, 2009
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Georges St. Piere - UFC 111 - March 27, 2010
Comment: Almost everything Hardy says these days revolves around knocking GSP out. Say what you want about the Englishman but confidence, he does not lack.
6) Marius Zaromskis (12-2)
Height: 5'9
Birthday: July 30, 1982
Currently Fighting With: DREAM
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Ho Bae Myeon - Win via KO (head kick) - DREAM 12: The White Cage - October 25, 2009
- vs. Jason High - Win via KO (head kick) - DREAM 10: Welterweight Grand Prix 2009 Final Round - July 20, 2009
- vs. Hayato Sakurai - Win via TKO (punches) - DREAM 10: Welterweight Grand Prix 2009 Final Round - July 20, 2009
- vs. Seichi Ikemoto - Win via decision (unanimous) - DREAM 8: Welterweight Grand Prix 2009 Opening Round - April 5, 2009
- vs. Jedrzej Kubski - Win via TKO (strikes) - Bushido Lithuania - Hero's 2008 - November 8, 2008
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Nick Diaz - Strikeforce: Miami - January 30, 2010
Comment: The Lithuanian will make his U.S. debut at the end of the month. We shall see whether he can bring his highlight reel kicks with him.
7) Paul Daley (23-8-2)
Height: 5'9
Birthday: February 21, 1983
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Dustin Hazelett - Win via KO (punches) - UFC 108: Evans vs. Silva - January 2, 2010
- vs. Martin Kampmann - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 103: Belfort vs. Franklin - September 19, 2009
- vs. Junior Barata - Win via TKO (strikes) - WFC 9: D-Day - April 18, 2009
- vs. Aurelijus Kerpe - Win via KO (knee) - Ultimate Gladiators - March 29, 2009
- vs. Nick Thompson - Loss via decision (unanimous) - MFC 20: Destined for Greatness - February 20, 2009
Next scheduled appearance:
- Unknown
8) Mike Swick (14-3)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: June 19, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Dan Hardy - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 105 - November 14, 2009
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Paulo Thiago - UFC 109: Relentless - February 6, 2010
9) Martin Kampmann (16-3)
Height: 6'0
Birthday: April 17, 1982
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Jacob Volkmann - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - UFC 108: Evans vs. Silva - January 2, 2010
- vs. Paul Daley - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 103: Belfort vs. Franklin - September 19, 2009
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Unknown
10) Carlos Condit (24-5)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: April 26, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Jake Ellenberger - Win via decision (split) - UFC Fight Night 19 - September 16, 2009
- vs. Martin Kampmann - Loss via decision (split) - 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Injured
11) Nick Diaz (20-7)
Height: 6'0
Birthday: August 2, 1983
Currently Fighting With: Strikeforce
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. Marius Zaromskis - Strikeforce: Miami - January 30, 2010
12) Paulo Thiago (12-1)
Height: 5'11
Birthday: Unknown
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Jacob Volkman - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 106 - November 21, 2009
- vs. Jon Fitch - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 100 - July 11, 2009
- vs. Josh Koscheck - Win via KO (uppercut) - UFC 95: Sanchez vs. Stevenson - February 21, 2009
- vs. Luiz Dutra Jr. - Win via TKO (injury) - Jungle Fight 11 - September 13, 2008
- vs. Ferrid Kheder - Win via decision (split) - Jungle Fight 10 - July 12, 2009
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Mike Swick - UFC 109: Relentless - February 6, 2010
13) 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:
- Unknown
14) Jay Hieron (18-4)
Height: 6'0
Birthday: July 29, 1976
Currently Fighting With: Strikeforce
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Jesse Taylor - Win via decision (unanimous) - Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg - August 15, 2009
- vs. Jason High - Win via KO (punch) - Affliction: Day of Reckoning - January 24, 2009
- vs. Chris Kennedy - Win via decision (unanimous) - Night of Combat 2 - October 11, 2008
- vs. Mark Miller - Win via TKO (punches) - IFL New Jersey - April 4, 2008
- vs. Delson Heleno - Win via TKO (injury) - IFL World Grand Prix Finals - December 29, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Joe Riggs - Strikeforce: Miami - January 30, 2010 (unofficial)
15) Dan Hornbuckle (19-2)
Height: 6'2
Birthday: December 26, 1980
Currently Fighting With: Sengoku
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Nick Thompson - Win via KO (strikes) - Sengoku 11 - September 23, 2009
- vs. Akihiro Gono - Win via KO (head kick) - Sengoku 9 - August 2, 2009
- vs. Joe Alexander - Win via KO (strikes) - TFC: Hornbuckle vs. Alexander - February 21, 2009
- vs. Nabil Khatib - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - Raw Combat: Resurrection - June 20, 2008
- vs. Mike Pyle - Loss via submission (triangle choke) - Sengoku 2 - May 18, 2008
Next scheduled appearance:
- Unknown
Closing Comments: Other fighters receiving votes include Dong Hyun Kim and Ben Saunders.
kos has betten a has been and a guy not in the top 15. it makes very little sence
Posted By: dyslexnick (Guest) on January 04, 2010 at 11:39 PM
Pretty much the perfect list. Though I do find it interesting to see Zaromskis 5 places higher than Diaz.... One hell of a fight coming up for sure!
Posted By: Brad (Guest) on January 04, 2010 at 11:49 PM
I'm a huge fan of Zaromskis aka Mini Cro Cop since his dream welterweight epic wins but I do think Diaz should rank as high as him for the simple fact he won his five last matches by finishing his opponents.
I'll root for The Nightmare But my money is on Diaz via UD or subbing Marius on the ground
Posted By: War Zaromskis ! (Guest) on January 05, 2010 at 02:03 AM
I would have Diaz ranked around 6. simply switch him and Marius Zaromskis and the list would be perfect in my eyes.
Posted By: K. Bett (Guest) on January 05, 2010 at 02:45 AM
kos is too high and nick diaz too low but a good list anyway...dana bring back Nick Diaz.....
Posted By: phil (Guest) on January 05, 2010 at 03:27 AM
i dissagree with alves being so high kosh was fighting and destroying opponents while he did what?
Posted By: dmd (Guest) on January 05, 2010 at 06:03 AM
"UFC 108 finally came and went and if nothing else,we know Paul Daley is a mean, lean, fighting machine..."
Heh. Given that he failed to make weight, the "lean" bit is either sarcasm or unintentionally funny. I can't tell which.
Posted By: CSB046 (Guest) on January 05, 2010 at 09:50 AM
Kos is above Hardy because Hardy took a VERY easy route to GSP and the title shot. Kos however, has faced a lot of top level competition and been competitive with everyone. His fight against Rumble proved how tough he is and he can beat the bigger fighter even if it means going back to his wrestling, which he didn't do much of because he fell in love with striking.
Posted By: Flex (Registered) on January 05, 2010 at 10:20 AM
pretty accurate list i agree
i might put alves ahead of fitch...but i guess we will see for sure when they fight, both amazing fighters and cant wait for them to face off
Posted By: mae (Guest) on January 05, 2010 at 12:12 PM
I'm anxious to see Nick Diaz fight a legit top 10 especially one as dangerous as Zaromskis. The Alves/ Fitch fight will really help lay out the 170 rankings. The top ten will have a few changes over the next three months. I still feel that Hardy is a little high but no complaint because he has reeled off 4 in a row in the UFC which is extremely difficult. I would of liked to see him fight the likes of a Fitch/ Koscheck to see where his wrestling lies because it will be tested against GSP.
Posted By: Tony (Guest) on January 05, 2010 at 12:22 PM
I'm curious as to why Rumble never makes this list? He could beat half those guys with no issues
Posted By: Guest#7525 (Guest) on January 05, 2010 at 12:53 PM
At some point is Fitch going to suffer in the rankings for grinding out boring decision after boring decision? He is rapidly becoming the Welterweight Yushin Okami.
Posted By: A. Coolman (Guest) on January 05, 2010 at 01:47 PM
I'm curious as to why Rumble never makes this list? He could beat half those guys with no issues
Posted By: Guest#7525 (Guest) on January 05, 2010 at 12:53 PM
I agree entirely, i feel his loss to koscheck is more of a statement to how good Kos really is (and it pains me to say that, i hate that fucking muppet).
when you really look at the list I honestly believe that Rumble would roll through Hughes, Thiago (paulo), Condit, Kampman, and Swick, Hornbuckle too possibly but i'm not overly familiar with him.
Rumble would be a huge matchup problem and would destroy all the men i just listed. However i do understand that he does not make the list because while he would destroy those guys, he hasn't fought any of them and you can't make the list through estimations no matter how well educated they may be.
Posted By: stronelis (Guest) on January 05, 2010 at 03:51 PM
For this to be a proper list, GSP should be 1st and 2nd. The bootfucking GSP gave Fitch should make this list have to start at 3rd after GSP
Posted By: Matthew M (Guest) on January 05, 2010 at 05:31 PM
Good list. Daley is ranked a little high for me though. He still needs to show he can beat a good wrestler, until then I'd rank him below Condit and Kampmann, even though he beat Kampmann.
Zaromskis is ranked too high also with his best wins being Sakurai, and High.
Posted By: KSti (Guest) on January 05, 2010 at 09:40 PM
Fucking hilarious that Mr Zaromskis and Mr Hieron is ranked 6 places apart when they have the same merits. Apparently winning a tournament in JAPAN makes your wins against nobodies (and Mach) worth THAT MUCH MORE
Atleast Kampmann and Condit is in the right order this time.
Posted By: saerbarnet (Guest) on January 05, 2010 at 09:45 PM
Hieron is quite high as it is for beating no bodys really. Horbuckle's last two wins are much more impressive. Diaz is really low but because he likes his weed too much I can understand. Gono can't be too far off the top 15 with his win over Mach.
Posted By: Guest#4871 (Guest) on January 07, 2010 at 08:27 AM
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