411 MMA Rankings 02.16.10: Welterweight Division
Posted by Jonathan Solomon on 02.16.2010
It's the Nick Diaz party as 411mania unveils the latest welterweight MMA rankings. Can the Bad Boy make a dent among the AKA UFC crew of Fitch and Koscheck? Paulo Thiago won big at UFC 109, is he a top five fighter now? Mike Swick and Marius Zaromskis lost but how far will they drop? All that and much more as the 411 MMA Rankings drop.
It may be the month of love and black history but if you are anywhere in the United States, chances are you have been or will be snowed in for a chunk of time. It's that time of the week where the 411 MMA crew rank the best fighters in the world and this week it is time for the division owned by the best Canadian fighter, Georges St. Pierre.
The biggest fight of the year so far occurred at Strikeforce: Miami nearly three weeks ago when Nick Diaz pummeled DREAM welterweight champion Marius Zaromskis. In the process, Diaz became the first Strikeforce welterweight champion (although he could not care less about belts) and is the clear #1 non-UFC 170er in the world. Zaromskis came back down to earth after his awesome rise up the DREAM ranks last year. Honestly, I would say the big reason Zaromskis was beaten like he was, was due to their size difference. If Zaromskis has a few more inches in height and reach, I would guess the fight would have ben more competitive.
The other big welterweight fight took place earlier this month at UFC 109 when Paulo Thiago took care of another American Kickboxing Academy fighter in Mike Swick. He did so with a great chokehold and we finally were able to witness Thiago's submission base. Despite his lone loss to Jon Fitch (in the final fight at UFC 100), Thiago is surely one of the top fighters in the UFC division and it would not shock me if he may get a title shot at the end of 2010 or early in 2011.
Looking ahead, March is a HUGE month for the top of this division as the top three fighters and another top ten fighter will be in action. Georges St. Pierre will battle Dan Hardy (now the question remains, is it a bigger mismatch than Anderson Silva vs. Demian Maia?) and Jon Fitch will take on Thiago Alves. For all we know, the next time we rank the 170-pounders, Dan Hardy may be #1 or perhaps the Fitch/Alves winner will get the nod. Anything can happen and we won't know until March 27th.
Even though we are more than five weeks away, I'll go ahead and give you my picks for the two fights at UFC 111. Georges St. Pierre will dominate Dan Hardy and win by TKO before the championship rounds. Jon Fitch and Thiago Alves will have a sound battle but Fitch will come out on top due to his better wrestling and take the decision.
Before we get to business, be sure to check out these other 411 MMA offerings and enjoy the rest of the 411 MMA Rankings.
To the feedback from last week's MIDDLEWEIGHT RANKINGS
From AdamS:
I still think if Bisping was a more likable guy he'd be ranked higher. Even if he defeats Silva doubt he'll move up much, even though all the same people annointed Rampage the next contender to the title for doing just that. First of all, Wanderlei was coming off the great war with Liddell and a quick knockout of Jardine. Granted, Wanderlei is coming off another solid war with Franklin. Bisping's placement is fine in my eyes. His biggest win is against Chris Leben and a less than stellar Denis Kang.
From Brad:
Jacare above Maia makes me something something....
Very happy!
Also, since we both love Lombard. In your opinion how does he match up against guys in the Top 10? My personal opinion of Lombard is he can definitely compete with the mid-echelon of the division but he would struggle against Maia, Jacare and even a strong wrestler like Sonnen. Lombard's striking is a strength and his Judo background should give him the leg up on some but not the black belt grapplers. I do like his mix of power and overall strength but I'd love to see him fight some bigger names. The last "name" he fought was Mousasi and Gono, both in PRIDE (both decision losses).
From Dubhagan:
would like to see Sonnen avenge his loss to Maia before fighting the champ. This comment came before Maia took the Anderson Silva fight so as it stands now, Sonnen getting the winner of the fight is perfectly logical.
From the Sherdog Hater:
This list is a HUGE JOKE when you see someone like Jake Shields who is not only the second biggest promotion in the world MW Champion BUT Also UNDEFEATED Since more than 5 straight years and has been been finished only ONCE in 29 fights.
Jake Shields should number 2 on your list next to Anderson Silva and AHEAD of Sherdog and the IWC Poster Boy Hollywood Henderson, love it or not.
How can guys like Soennen AND Marquardt be ahead of him is beyond me really. Who cares what promotion Jake Shields is fighting in? Secondly, how in the blue hell is Dan Henderson the "poster boy" of the "internet wrestling community?" Please explain that to me.
Jake Shields is 2-0 as a middleweight with an impressive win over Robbie Lawler and a grinding win over Mayhem. Yes, he is undefeated in more than five years and all that jazz. If you want to say Shields should be #3 or #4, I can understand that argument.
Shields at #2? No friggin way. Henderson, a guy who defeated Vitor Belfort, Wanderlei Silva and most recently, Palhares, Franklin and Bisping. Out of his three recent losses, only one was decisive (decision losses to Rampage & Misaki, a submission loss to Silva). Props to Shields for his tremendous record, but not once has he ever fought someone who was considered either THE BEST in the world or anywhere near the best in the world. That is why Shields is not #2 in my opinion.
From Kris:
Okami gets one loss on his record and he's knocked down to eleventh? Weak. An Okami fan? Well how about that. Should he be higher? Perhaps. But it's no crime.
From Matt:
Where is Alan Belcher? That kid has really been putting his game together recently. He subbed Kang, lost a very close fight to Akiyama, beat up Wilson Gouveia last month and already has a KO win over Jorge Santiago.
He has definitely earned a spot over guys like Khalidov, Santiago, or Misaki. Perhaps Belcher should be at the bottom of the list but I'd like to see him win another fight or two and put up a streak. He did knock out Santiago in 2006 (as Khalidov did last year) but it seems whenever Belcher may have some momentum, he loses a fight.
From PJL - FF:
"Comment: Has anyone seen/heard anything regarding Akiyama?"
Senior Sexyama is too busy bang'n hot Japanese bitches!!(Nation-wide, baby!)
But news-wise, Fighters.com reported that he was slated to fight against "The Axe Murderer" Wanderlei Silva @ UFC 110. But that got scraped for Silva vs. Bisping.
Obviously, nothing has been put out yet for "Sexyama" to make his next apperance. But it's pretty weird that UFC wouldn't put a LITTLE more faith in World-Class fighter in Akiyama (3rd Dan Black Belt in Judo who is F'N HUNGRY).
But what can you do, Dana will do what Dana wants (I.E.- Lesnar hotshotted to the Hvywgt Title).
Just hope he give Akiyama a shot to redeem himself from an uneventful decision. The guy seems like he could be a top talent there. I remember his proposed fight with Wanderlei being asked but no real reason was ever given. I hear the UFC may be planning a Japan show featuring Akiyama so perhaps that is the reason.
From wylun:
solid list! THANKS!
From zwarrior2:
Misaki ranked when Manhoef a guy who just beat him isn't. I don't care that Manhoef just lost to Lawler, he beat Misaki 2 months ago. A strong reason why Manhoef is not ranked is because he is 2-3 in his last five fights.
From Diavo:
Maia schooled Sonnen but lost to Marquardt via punch of doom. MMAth says Maia should be above Sonnen. If Maia's striking has improved enough, I see him beating Sonnen again.
That pic of Silva "looking" at Forrest's punch is awesome. That's because Anderson Silva is awesome.
Sonnen gets more credit in the rankings for beating a higher ranked Marquardt. Maia's win over Sonnen was damn impressive but at the time, Sonnen was seen as a middle of the road fighter. If Maia's striking is improving, I'd agree that he would probably defeat Sonnen a second time. Sonnen's game is taking guys to the ground but that's Maia's bread and butter.
From RIVER PHOENIX:
No love for Melvin? Considering he recently beat Misaki, and i don't care what anyone says Lawler's win over him was a fluke. Fluke or not, Lawler put Manhoef to sleep with that knockout. As I mentioned above, it's tough to put Manhoef on the list despite the win over Misaki because he has 3 losses in his last five fights. The other win of his was against 'ol Mark Hunt.
From Mig:
Otherwise good list, but Belcher should definitely be there! If he defeats Cote, he may get more support.
02/03/2009 Welterweight Rankings:
1. (KING) Georges St. Pierre
2. Thiago Alves
3. Jon Fitch
4. Jake Shields
5. Josh Koscheck
6. Carlos Condit
7. Matt Hughes
8. Karo Parisyan
9. Mike Swick
10.Marcus Davis
11. Brock Larson
12. Matt Serra
13. Dustin Hazelett
14. Nick Diaz
15. Jay Hieron
THE CREW
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) Paulo Thiago
9) Carlos Condit
10) Jay Hieron
11) Marius Zaromskis
12) Martin Kampmann
13) Mike Swick
14) Matt Hughes
15) Dan Hornbuckle
Scott Kuczkowski
1. GSP
2. Fitch
3. Alves
4. Koscheck
5. Nick Diaz
6. Paul Daley
7. Dan Hardy
8. Paulo Thiago
9. Marius Zaromskis
10. Hughes
11. Kampmann
12. Swick
13. Condit
14. Jay Hieron
15. Ben Saunders
Jonathan Solomon
1. GSP
2. Jon Fitch
3. Thiago Alves
4. Josh Koscheck
5. Nick Daiz
6. Dan Hardy
7. Paul Daley
8. Paulo Thiago
9. Jay Hieron
10. Martin Kampmann
11. Carlos Condit
12. Matt Hughes
13. Matt Serra
14. Dan Hornbuckle
15. Mike Swick
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 is still here. I hope you have not forgotten.
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:
- vs. Paul Daley - UFC 113 - May 8, 2010
5) 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:
- vs. Josh Koscheck - UFC 113 - May 8, 2010
Comment: Next to his fight years ago with Jake Shields, this is the biggest test for Daley. Will he be able to out-strike and out-grapple the sure-handed wrestler?
6) Nick Diaz (21-7)
Height: 6'0
Birthday: August 2, 1983
Currently Fighting With: Strikeforce
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Marius Zaromskis - Win via TKO (strikes) - Strikeforce: Miami - January 30, 2010
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Unknown
Comment: Diaz's next opponent may be Mach Sakurai but whatever the case is, there's no doubt he is one of the best welterweights in the world. His mixture of sound jiu-jitsu and "wild" striking always makes for an exciting fight to boot.
7) 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: Does anyone think Hardy has a legitimate chance to defeat St. Pierre?
8) Paulo Thiago (13-1)
Height: 5'11
Birthday: Unknown
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Mike Swick - Win via submission (D'Arce choke) - UFC 109: Relentless - February 6, 2010
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Unknown
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:
- Injured
Comment: Kampmann suffered a nasty cut above his right eye and was forced to withdraw from his previously scheduled fight.
10) Jay Hieron (19-4)
Height: 6'0
Birthday: July 29, 1976
Currently Fighting With: Strikeforce
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Joe Riggs - Win via decision (unanimous) - Strikeforce: Miami - January 30, 2010
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Unknown
Comment: From what I have read, Hieron's fight contract with Strikeforce came to a conclusion after his win over Joe Riggs. Instead of earning a title shot, it looks as though Hieron will be negotiating a new deal with the highest bidder. After all the controversy surrounding his recent fights and their placement on Strikeforce shows, I would not be surprised if he returns to the UFC.
11) 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:
- vs. Rory MacDonald - UFC 115 - June 12, 2010
Comment: This fight is not yet official but reports say bout agreements have been verbally agreed to. Condit's quest to rise back up the rankings is sure taking awhile.
12) 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:
- vs. Renzo Gracie - UFC 112: Invincible - April 10, 2010
Comment: I'm not sure why, but I cannot wait to see Hughes fight another Gracie. Renzo Gracie in the UFC is pure gold, by the way.
13) Marius Zaromskis (12-3)
Height: 5'9
Birthday: July 30, 1982
Currently Fighting With: DREAM, Strikeforce
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Nick Diaz - Loss via TKO (strikes) - Strikeforce: Miami - January 30, 2010
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Unknown
Comment: Talk about a brick in the road. Zaromskis was dominated by Nick Diaz in their fight last month and now Zaromskis will likely head back to Japan to defend his DREAM welterweight championship. When we may see him again in the U.S.? Good question.
14) Mike Swick (14-4)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: June 19, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Paulo Thiago - Loss via submission (D'Arce choke) - UFC 109: Relentless - February 6, 2010
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Unknown
Comment: Swick goes from fighting for a title shot to likely fighting on the undercard.
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
Comment: Hornbuckle is preparing to participate in the season two Bellator tournament to determine the new number one contender to their welterweight championship.
Closing Comments: Other fighters receiving votes include Matt Serra and Ben Saunders.
I do not agree with Koscheck over Thiago.
a)Thiago beat Koscheck (call it a lucky punch or not, the man knocked Kos out)
b)Thiago's destruction of Swick was ten times more impressive than Koscheck's over Rumble. I literally watched that fight tonight on Unleashed, and was thoroughly unimpressed by KOS 2.0 (more like Kos Vista)
Posted By: Tom (Guest) on February 15, 2010 at 10:45 PM
If Matt Serra can KO GSP, does a naturally bigger and stronger guy with much more technically accurate boxing stand a chance to beat him? Yep.
Posted By: GlassJaw (Guest) on February 15, 2010 at 11:14 PM
i'd put paulo thiago at number 3..he has the least losses on anyone in this list and the only loss is against a guy who is on the 2nd longest win streak in UFC history
i'm not sure if he'd beat thiago alves but would love to see that fight
Posted By: mae (Guest) on February 16, 2010 at 12:13 AM
Diaz should be above Daley, as should Paulo Thiago.
Otherwise, good list. Daley's lack of ground game is going to be exposed very soon.
Posted By: Guest#0488 (Guest) on February 16, 2010 at 12:51 AM
I'd love to see Hardy beat GSP just to see the reaction on here from the Anti-British brigade.
Sadly, it's not likely. Whereas North Americans have that Wrestling base, Brazilians with their BJJ and the South East Asians with a wide range, all we have had over the years is Boxing. Watching the old Cage Rage events they usually consist of sloppy stand up contests and poor take downs. Until this changes the Brits are going to have a tough time reaching the very top.
Posted By: Guest#0469 (Guest) on February 16, 2010 at 03:40 AM
JESUS! Id have thiago way higher, but thats cool.
Whats not cool is that he is above dan hardy? Hardy won a decision over swick, a decision over Marcus Davis? and NOTHING else. Thaigo has a stoppage ove swick and koscheck. That alone, despite a loss to fitch is grounds for having him above hardy
Posted By: John (Guest) on February 16, 2010 at 03:49 AM
Thiago should be higher on that list...
Posted By: Uchu (Guest) on February 16, 2010 at 07:43 AM
"biggest fight of the year so far occurred at Strikeforce: Miami nearly three weeks ago when Nick Diaz pummeled DREAM welterweight champion Marius Zaromskis. In the process, Diaz became the first Strikeforce welterweight champion (although he could not care less about belts) and is the clear #1 non-UFC 170er in the world"
IF SO Can you explain US WHY Diaz is ONLY NUMBER 6 AFTER THIS Behind FOUR UFC GUYS Who lost ONCE The past ten months while Diaz did NOT ?
Posted By: Be Logical 411 Staff ! (Guest) on February 16, 2010 at 08:51 AM
If GSP Improved to the point he is the equivalent of Anderson Silva at WW does a naturally bigger and stronger guy with much more technically accurate boxing stand a chance to beat him? NO
Posted By: GSP = WW King (Guest) on February 16, 2010 at 09:09 AM
I might rank Diaz at 4 and move Kos a spot down I could go either way with Daley being above Hardy.
Kos has fought tougher competition but he also lost to the best guy either's fought, I wouldn't put anybody Kos has beat above semi-retired Frank Shamrock.
Posted By: K. Bett (Guest) on February 16, 2010 at 09:58 AM
Matt Serra can KO GSP, does a naturally bigger and stronger guy with much more technically accurate boxing stand a chance to beat him? Yep.
Posted By: GlassJaw (Guest) on February 15, 2010 at 11:14 PM
I agree but the only way to finish gsp is by really ko or tko standing up I cant see the guy getting caught on the ground, and is hardy even bigger the gsp?
Posted By: Guest#2938 (Guest) on February 16, 2010 at 10:56 AM
Daley over Diaz is a travesty. Daley is impressive sure but Diaz would absolutely handle him. Hell I think Diaz should be over Koscheck too seeing as his skill level is significantly higher, but the realist in me knows that should they ever meet that Kos would just lay on him for 3 straight rounds, so fine whatever put that autistic muppet in 4th. But Daley over Diaz, I demand an explanation sir.
Posted By: stronelis (Guest) on February 16, 2010 at 11:26 AM
I cannot figure out why Paul Daley is so high. Maybe closer to 9 or 10 but # 5 seems way too high. He hasn't really fought anyone in the top so how can he be in the top?
Posted By: Brian (Guest) on February 16, 2010 at 12:18 PM
Would you really say Koscheck was knocked out in the Thiago fight? Come on, that was a terrible stoppage. Koscheck and Thiago both deserve to be ranked pretty high though.
Posted By: Jared B. (Guest) on February 16, 2010 at 12:47 PM
Talk about wiping out a division..Numbers 2,3,and 4 have already been destroyed, and the rest of the list outside Diaz pose any threat.. If not an immediate super fight, GSP should at least test the waters at 185..
Posted By: 401k (Registered) on February 16, 2010 at 03:53 PM
Hardy is 2 inches taller than St. Pierre but his all around game isn't nearly as good. Comparing St. Pierre now to when he fought Serra is idiotic. Also, if Thiago Alves (who is a middleweight) couldn't knock St. Pierre out I don't like Hardy's chances. With his wrestling advantage St. Pierre will dictate where this fight takes place.
Posted By: Rush Nuthugger (Guest) on February 16, 2010 at 05:21 PM
With #2 v. #3 and then #4 v. #5 fighting the rankings are definitely going to be shaken up soon. The one thing that will not change, however, is KING GSP at the top of the mountain.
Posted By: A. Coolman (Guest) on February 16, 2010 at 07:37 PM
good point, the rankings should be shaken up a lot with all the top guys fighting
the welterweight division is MUCH stronger than the lightweight and middleweight divisions. no one can touch GSP at the moment, but if you put alves fitch or koscheck against the top MW or LW fighters, they would destroy them
Posted By: mae (Guest) on February 17, 2010 at 10:47 AM
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