411's MMA Rankings 7.10.08: Welterweight Rankings
Posted by Dustin James on 07.10.2008
It's time again for 411 to rank the best welterweight fighters in MMA! How far does Thiago Alves move up after defeating the legendary Matt Hughes? What about Josh Koscheck? Now that BJ Penn has declared he wants a shot at the UFC welterweight title, does he crack the list? 411's Dustin James gives you all the details inside......
Yes kiddies, welcome back! Sorry for the short introduction this week, as I'm in a BAD MOOD and it's all your fault UFC 86. I won't discuss anything further as I HATE getting into debates with people who don't know what they are talking about. Let's just say it's really frustrating watching a UFC fight and wanting to stab Joe Rogan, and I wasn't even drunk! I'm not saying anything further on the subject until everybody calms the shit down.
Now, for some good news and the reason you clicked on this........
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. The rule also applies to specific divisions. If a fighter hasn't fought in a weight division in a year he is no longer eligible to be ranked. However, if a fighter schedules a fight he is still eligible for being ranked.
- 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 remember "if u rite lik thiss" then your opinion doesn't matter.
- 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 could probably beat up everybody on "Total Request Live". (Is that show even still on?)
411's Official MMA Rankings
Welterweight Division
1) Georges St. Pierre (16-2)
Height: 5'10
Birthday: May 19, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- 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
- vs. Josh Koscheck - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 74: Respect - August 25, 2007
- vs. Matt Serra - Loss via TKO (strikes) - UFC 69: Shootout - April 7, 2007
- vs. Matt Hughes - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 65: Bad Intentions - November 18, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Jon Fitch - UFC 87: Seek And Destroy - August 9, 2008
Comments: We are just about a month away from the HUGE UFC welterweight fight between Georges St. Pierre and #1 contender Jon Fitch. This fight has "FIGHT OF THE NIGHT" written all over it. Fitch is a very credible contender to GSP and is very capable of surprising people here and taking home the UFC welterweight title. Good thing we have a month until this fight. Right now I'm taking GSP....but things can change.
2) Jon Fitch (17-2)
Height: 6'0
Birthday: February 24, 1978
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- 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
- vs. Roan Carneiro - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC Fight Night 10 - June 12, 2007
- vs. Luigi Fioravanti - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - UFC 68: Uprising - March 3, 2007
- vs. Kuniyoshi Hironaka - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 64: Unstoppable - October 14, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Georges St. Pierre - UFC 87: Seek And Destroy - August 9, 2008
Comments: Basically what I just said for GSP can be put here as well. Right now I see GSP taking a decision fight over Fitch, but I can see things swinging in Fitch's favor as well. Imagine that, UFC welterweight champion Jon Fitch......will it happen?
3) Jake Shields (20-4-1)
Height: 5'11
Birthday: January 9, 1979
Currently Fighting With: EliteXC
Last 5 fights:
- 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
- vs. Ido Pariente - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - K-1 HERO's DYNAMITE!! USA - July 2, 2007
- vs. Ray Steinbeiss - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - BodogFIGHT: Costa Rica - February 18, 2007
- vs. Steve Berger - Win via TKO - FCP - Malice at Cow Palace - September 9, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Nick Thompson - EliteXC: "Unfinished Business" - July 26, 2008
Comments: So EliteXC finally filled us in on who will be facing Jake Shields on the next CBS prime time special. And the winner is, Nick Thompson! That's a big "uh oh" for Jake Shields. Thompson is not going to be an easy task. He is 36-9-1 and is currently on a 12 fight win streak. If Jake Shields can manage to pull off this victory it will prove to the world that he deserves to be ranked this high.
4) Thiago Alves (15-3)
Birthday: October 3, 1983
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- 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
- vs. Kuniyoshi Hironaka - Win via TKO - UFC: Fight Night 11 - September 19, 2007
- vs. Tony DeSouza - Win via KO (knee) - UFC 66: Liddell vs. Ortiz II - December 30, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Diego Sanchez - UFC 89 - October 19, 2008 (RUMORED)
Comments: Right now, who is one of the top contenders for "Fighter of the Year"? Surprisingly, it could be Thiago Alves. Nobody would have guessed this back in January. After taking care of the legend that is Matt Hughes, what is next for "The Pitbull"? Rumors are that Alves could be facing Diego Sanchez at UFC 89, a PPV that is currently rumored to be aired for free on SPIKE. This is a fight that could determine the next #1 contender for the UFC welterweight title. Will Alves remain a contender for "Fighter of the Year" by the time December rolls around?
5) Josh Koscheck (11-2)
Height: 5'10
Birthday: November 30, 1977
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- 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
- vs. Georges St. Pierre - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 74: Respect - August 25, 2007
- vs. Diego Sanchez - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 69: Shootout - April 7, 2007
- vs. Jeff Joslin - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC Fight Night 7 - December 13, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
Comments: Koscheck managed to secure another win over a veteran UFC fighter when he beat a VERY bloodied Chris Lytle at UFC 86. I'm talking BLOOOOOODY. What's next for Kos? He recently came out and said that he would consider dropping to lightweight and fight BJ Penn for the UFC lightweight title. So, it's either that, or perhaps wait around and try to rematch GSP. Either option is very risky for Koscheck.
6) Carlos Condit (22-4)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: April 26, 1984
Currently Fighting With: WEC
Last 5 fights:
- 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
- vs. Kyle Jensen - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - WEC 25 - January 20, 2007
- vs. Tatsunori Tanaka - Win via KO (stomps) - Pancrase - Blow 9 - October 25, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Hiromitsu Miura - WEC 35 - August 3, 2008
Comments: WEC has officially announced that Carlos Condit will defend his WEC welterweight title against Hiromitsu Miura at WEC 35 on August 3rd. Miura is currently 9-4 as a pro and is on a 2-fight win streak since losing to Jason Miller at WEC 27 in May of 2007. I don't see Condit having much of a problem with Miura. The big question is, what's left for Condit in the WEC if he defeats Miura? Will we see Condit in the UFC by year's end? It's all up to Zuffa.
7) Matt Hughes (42-7)
Height: 5'9
Birthday: October 13, 1973
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- 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
- vs. BJ Penn - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC 63: Hughes vs. Penn - September 23, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
Comments: Well Matt Hughes, what's next? We all know that it's just a matter of time before the UFC announces Hughes vs. Serra for the fall. After that we will probably see Hughes ride off into the sunset to become a full-time trainer. Rumor is that Hughes' brother may be coming into the UFC......so it's not like we have heard the last of the Hughes family.
8) Matt Serra (9-5)
Height: 5'6
Birthday: June 2, 1974
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Georges St. Pierre - Loss via TKO (knees to body) - UFC 83: Serra vs. St Pierre II - April 19, 2008
- vs. Georges St. Pierre - Win via TKO (punches) - UFC 69: Shootout - April 7, 2007
- vs. Chris Lytle - Win via decision (split) - The Ultimate Fighter 4 Finale - November 11, 2006
- vs. Karo Parisyan - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 53: Heavy Hitters - June 4, 2005
- vs. Ivan Menjivar - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 48: Payback - June 19, 2004
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
Comments: What's next for Matt "The Terror" Serra? We all know it's Matt Hughes.....just make it official Zuffa!
9) Diego Sanchez (19-2)
Height: 5'10
Birthday: December 31, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Luigi Fioravanti - Win via TKO (strikes) - UFC: Ultimate Fighter Finale - June 21, 2008
- vs. David Bielkheden - Win via submission (punches) - UFC 82: Pride Of A Champion - March 1, 2008
- vs. Jon Fitch - Loss via decision (split) - UFC 76: Knockout - September 22, 2007
- vs. Josh Koscheck - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 69: Shootout - April 7, 2007
- vs. Joe Riggs - Win via KO (knee) - UFC Fight Night 7 - December 13, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Thiago Alves - UFC 89 - October 19, 2008 (RUMORED)
Comments: Damn did Diego look impressive against Luigi Fioravanti at the Ultimate Fight finale. The UFC officials must have been impressed as well seeing as the current rumor is that it will be Diego vs. Thiago Alves. If this fight goes down and Diego is the one who stops Alves, Diego's name will be mentioned as THE contender to GSP's title.
10) Karo Parisyan (18-5)
Height: 5'10
Birthday: August 28, 1982
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- 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
- vs. Diego Sanchez - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC Fight Night 6 - August 17, 2006
Next scheduled appeareance:
- vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida - UFC 88 - September 6, 2008 (RUMORED)
Comments: Karo is currently rumored to face Yoshiyuki Yoshida at UFC 88 in Atlanta, Georgia on September 6th. This is a MUCH more difficult fight for Karo than people expect. Yoshida is 10-2 and is crazy good. If this fight goes down, you can put me down as e-x-c-i-t-e-d. Oh, and Karo has managed to keep his TUF feud with Nate Diaz hot....going as far as to say the two might have to meet in the octagon. Does this mean that Karo may consider dropping weight? YIKES. Can't see that happening........
On The Bubble: (On the bubble includes fighter's who aren't ranked yet still are a threat in the division)
Nick Thompson (36-9-1)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: June 23, 1981
Currently Fighting With: World Victory Road, EliteXC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Michael Costa - Win via submission (kimura) - World Victory Road: Sengoku 2 - June 8, 2008
- vs. Fabricio Monteiro - Win via decision (unanimous) - World Victory Road - Sengoku - March 5, 2008
- vs. John Troyer - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - BodogFight: Thompson vs. Troyer - February 1, 2008
- vs. Mark Weir - Win via TKO - BodogFight: Vancouver - August 24, 2007
- vs. Eddie Alvarez - Win via TKO (strikes) - BodogFight: Clash of the Nations - April 14, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Jake Shields - EliteXC: "Unfinished Business" - July 26, 2008
Yoshiyuki Yoshida (10-2)
Height: 5'11
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Jon Koppenhaver - Win via technical submission (anaconda choke) - UFC 84: Ill Will - May 24, 2008
- vs. Dan Hardy - Win via DQ - GCM: Cage Force 5 - December 1, 2007
- vs. Akira Kikuchi - Win via TKO (elbows) - GCM: Cage Force 4 - September 8, 2007
- vs. Matt Cain - Win via TKO (strikes) - GCM: Cage Force EX - May 27, 2007
- vs. Katsuya Inoue - Win via KO (punch) - GCM : Cage Force 2 - March 17, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Karo Parisyan - UFC 88 - September 6, 2008 (RUMORED)
Mike Swick (12-2)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: June 19, 1979
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- 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
- vs. David Loiseau - Win via decision (unanimous) - UFC 63: Hughes vs. Penn - September 23, 2006
- vs. Joe Riggs - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - UFC 60: Hughes vs. Gracie - May 27, 2006
Next scheduled appearance:
-Currently unknown
Brock Larson (23-2)
Height: 5'11
Birthday: August 23, 1977
Currently Fighting With: WEC
Last 5 fights:
- 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) - November 29, 2007
- vs. Carlos Condit - Loss via submission (arm bar) - WEC 29: Las Vegas - August 5, 2007
- vs. Kevin Knabjan - Win via TKO (strikes) - WEC 28: WrekCage - June 3, 2007
- vs. Erik Apple - Win via submission (kimura) - WEC 26: Las Vegas - March 24, 2007
penn is the number two ww in the world until he gets the fight at this point...period
Posted By: romano (Guest) on July 10, 2008 at 06:24 AM
Penn was 0-2 in his last two WW fights (though the losses came to Hughes and GSP). Granted, he was very close to beating St. Pierre and he was injured in the Hughes fight, but I can't say he should automatically be #2 simply because he wants to fight GSP again and his conditioning is far beyond what it has ever been before.
Posted By: punchdrunk (Registered) on July 10, 2008 at 10:41 AM
HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!
Jake Shields at #3??? This is why online MMA rankings fail so hard. They're all made by emo kids who try to look cool by listing obscure or mediocre fighters and placing them ten to twenty spots higher than they should be.
ROFL Jake Shields at #3. He'd get beat down by Swick.
Posted By: Pwnage (Guest) on July 10, 2008 at 12:53 PM
romano, you are an idiot. period. and mike swick doesnt deserve to be on the bubble. ever since he lost to okami he has become the next tim sylvia
Posted By: franklin (Guest) on July 10, 2008 at 01:33 PM
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