411's MMA Rankings 10.02.08: Welterweight Rankings
Posted by Dustin James on 10.02.2008
It's time again for the experts here at 411mania.com to rank the best welterweight fighters in MMA! Can anybody remove Georges St. Pierre from his top ranking? Where do Jon Fitch, Jake Shields, Josh Koscheck, and others land? It's all inside the latest edition of 411's Official MMA Rankings.......
Welcome back! As always I'm your wonderful and handsome host, Dustin James. This time around we are ranking a division that could be called the "best and most stacked division in MMA". That's right, it's the WELTERWEIGHTS! Now we know that nobody has taken the top spot from Georges St. Pierre, but can Jake Shields take the #2 spot from Jon Fitch? Due to his latest stunt, has Karo Parisyan fallen from the top 10? Has Josh Koscheck gotten rid of that stank haircut yet? The only way to find out is to keep reading......
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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 "Kids Incorporated".
411's Official MMA Rankings
Welterweight Division
1) Georges St. Pierre (17-2)
Height: 5'10
Birthday: May 19, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- 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
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. BJ Penn - UFC 94: St. Pierre vs. Penn - January 31, 2009
Comments: Things have been quiet in GSP land since defeating Jon Fitch back in August. But what do you expect, the guy announced he was taking the year off. If you want any sort of update on St. Pierre then I recommend you check out his Yardbarker. He has some interesting things to say.
2) Jon Fitch (17-3)
Height: 6'0
Birthday: February 24, 1978
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- 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
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
Comments: What's next for Jon Fitch? He had his 8-fight UFC win streak snapped by GSP a few months back and things have been relatively quiet with him since then. I'd expect Fitch to fight either at UFC 92 or UFC 93. Why? Because I'm sure he wants a rematch with St. Pierre bad and the only way to do that is to get back in the Octagon and fight your ass off.
3) Jake Shields (21-4-1)
Height: 5'11
Birthday: January 9, 1979
Currently Fighting With: EliteXC
Last 5 fights:
- 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
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Paul Daley - EliteXC on CBS - October 4, 2008
Comments: We are just days away from watching EliteXC welterweight champion Jake Shields fight the United Kingdom's Paul Daley. I'm sorry Mr. Daley, but it's my opinion that the only chance you have in this fight is something we like to call "a puncher's chance". If you ask me, this fight will be over quick. I predict a Jake Shields submission victory in Round 1, probably just a little under three minutes. Lay your bets down!
4) 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. Yoshiyuki Yoshida - UFC Fight Night 16 "UFC Fights For The Troops" - December 10, 2008
Comments: It's looking like our old friend Koscheck will be returning to the Octagon in December and facing Yoshiyuki Yoshida at the "UFC Fights For The Troops" special. If you ask me, this is an excellent fight and one that should be on PPV, however the UFC is going to give it to us for FREE on Spike TV! WOOO! For those of you unfamiliar with Yoshida, trust me when I say this....this is a dangerous fight for Koscheck. Kos needs to bring his "A" game because Yoshida is not the type of fighter who is going to let Kos just sit on him and earn a decision victory. Yoshida comes to fight and after Karo pulled out of his UFC 88 fight with him, Yoshida is pissed. I wouldn't want to be Kos right now. No matter how you look at it, this should be an AWESOME fight.
5) 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 90 "Silva vs. Cote" - October 25, 2008
Comments: We are less than a month away from Thiago Alves vs. Diego Sanchez which should be an incredible fight. Both could be considered top 5 welterweight's in the UFC and whoever loses the fight will find themselves fall down the ladder in the UFC's welterweight division, and that's not a good thing considering welterweight could be the toughest division in the UFC. I'm jazzed for this fight and would like to meet somebody who isn't. This one is going to be a BRAWL.
6) Carlos Condit (23-4)
Height: 6'1
Birthday: April 26, 1984
Currently Fighting With: WEC
Last 5 fights:
- 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
- vs. Kyle Jensen - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - WEC 25 - January 20, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
Comments: Nothing new on Carlos Condit, but if I was a guessing man...I would expect Condit to fight on the WEC card in December. Carlos really needs to stay active to remain in these rankings seeing as he doesn't fight the quality of competition the other guy's do.
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: OK, is anybody else getting sick of the fact that Matt Hughes and Matt Serra haven't fought yet? Seriously, it's getting worse than the Randy Couture/Fedor Emelianenko rumors. I'm about to personally drive to Serra's house with Hughes in my car (I would prefer Hughes in my car over Serra), and let the two fight in Serra's driveway. Why? Because I'm sick of all the talk with no result. GET IT ON ALREADY. Put some "tussin" on your wounds and just fight. Sheesh, it's like I'm talking too a bunch of old timers here......oh wait.
8) 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 90 "Silva vs. Cote" - October 25, 2008
Comments: See: Alves, Thiago
9) 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. Currently unknown
Comments: When Karo announced he was injured just one day before his UFC 88 fight with Yoshiyuki Yoshida, a lot of people thought Karo was faking it due to the fact that he was either having one of his infamous "panic attacks", or just bitching out altogether. Either way you think about it, the losers in the whole thing were us...the fans. I have heard from plenty of fighters who have said it's almost impossible to get injured a day before your fight, and that came from actual fighters, not my own mouth. So....did Karo bitch out and just not want to fight Yoshida? Well, it's not like he asked for the fight to be rescheduled or anything. Hell, Yoshida is getting ready to fight Josh Koscheck now in December. I'll let YOU the jury decide Karo's fate.
10) 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: See: Hughes, Matt
On The Bubble: (On the bubble includes fighter's who aren't ranked yet still are a threat in the division)
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. Josh Koscheck - UFC Fight Night 16 "UFC Fights For The Troops" - December 10, 2008
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:
- vs. Jonathan Goulet - UFC: "Ultimate Fighter 8 Finale" - December 13, 2008
Brock Larson (24-2)
Height: 5'11
Birthday: August 23, 1977
Currently Fighting With: WEC
Last 5 fights:
- 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) - 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- Currently unknown
Marcus Davis (14-4)
Height: 5'8
Birthday: August 24, 1973
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Mike Swick - Loss via decision (unanimous) - UFC 85: Bedlam - June 7, 2008
- vs. Jess Liaudin - Win via KO (punch) - UFC 80: Rapid Fire - January 19, 2008
- vs. Paul Taylor - Win via submission (arm bar) - UFC 75: Champion vs. Champion - September 8, 2007
- vs. Jason Tan - Win via KO (punch) - UFC 72: Victory - June 16, 2007
- vs. Pete Spratt - Win via submission (achilles lock) - UFC 69: Shootout - April 7, 2007
Sorry, but there is no way in hell Matt Hughes should be above Diego Sanchez.
None!
Posted By: sprawlandbrawl (Guest) on October 01, 2008 at 11:11 PM
Why is has been Hughes so HIGH in this RANKING ?
What a huge april fool joke, Hughes is NOT A Top 10 fighter material anymore !
Posted By: Guest#2329 (Guest) on October 01, 2008 at 11:37 PM
THANKYOU 411, Koscheck is finally put where he deserves! Above Mr Cant Make Weight... take that you Brazilian douche!
Yoshida is dangerous, but Kos will murder him and HOPEFULLY be near a title shot.
Posted By: Brad (Guest) on October 02, 2008 at 12:52 AM
Carlos Condit at #6?? That might be a little too high considering that he has won his last 5 in th WEC while Marcus Davis has won 6 straight in the UFC before losing to Swick??
I don't believe Jake Shields should be as high as he is until he faces tougher fighters, not saying he should be out of the top ten, but certainly not #3.
I think that Mike Swick deserves a spot at the top 10 after winning against two very tough opponents back to back.
Matt Serra is really clinging on to his win over St. Pierre, that's the only reason for him being in the top ten and that's over a year ago, he should be dropped from the top ten. Matt Hughs is questionable as well?
Posted By: Bustanut (Guest) on October 02, 2008 at 12:34 PM
diego sanchez is wayyy too low. condit has yet to beat the same level of competition.
Posted By: Guest#0672 (Guest) on October 02, 2008 at 10:52 PM
StuuuuuuuuuuuuuuPiddddddddddddd!!!
Posted By: Methoes (Guest) on October 03, 2008 at 07:43 PM
