411's MMA Rankings 11.13.08: Welterweight
Posted by Dustin James on 11.13.2008
It's almost time for Brock vs. Randy, but until then you can pass the time by checking out the newest edition of 411's MMA Rankings! Can GSP keep his top spot with so many contenders breathing down his neck? Yes, I'm looking at you Thiago Alves........
Can you feel it? That excitement in the air? That's because this is it! The weekend we have been anxiously anticipating for the past 2-3 months is FINALLY HERE! It's time for UFC 91, and it's time for a little Brock Lesnar vs. Randy Couture action! Can you tell I'm a little excited to finally see this fight? I'm so excited that I don't even really want to do much of an introduction and would rather just get to the rankings.....
OK, so you feel the same way...........
Last year at this time:
1. Georges St. Pierre
2. Matt Serra
3. Matt Hughes
4. Jon Fitch
5. Karo Parisyan
6. Josh Koscheck
7. Diego Sanchez
8. Jake Shields
9. Shinya Aoki
10. Carlos Condit
Yoshiyuki Yoshida was "On the bubble".
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 one of the Jonas Brothers.
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: Nothing new on St. Pierre. It will be a few months before we hear anything from him.
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: Things have been quiet in the Jon Fitch camp since his loss to GSP at UFC 87. I'm betting we will see Fitch return sometime in the Spring of 2009 looking for a rematch with St. Pierre. Remember, only three fighters in UFC history have started out 8-0 in the UFC.....Royce Gracie, Anderson Silva, and Jon Fitch.
3) Thiago Alves (16-3)
Birthday: October 3, 1983
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- 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
- vs. Kuniyoshi Hironaka - Win via TKO - UFC: Fight Night 11 - September 19, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
Comments: So he didn't get to face Diego Sanchez at UFC 90.....instead he got what some people would consider "tougher competition", but that didn't stop the train known as "The Pitbull". With wins over Karo Parisyan, Matt Hughes, and Josh Koscheck...the new #1 contender to the UFC Welterweight Championship may end up earning "Fighter of the Year" honors. Did you know the guy is on a 7-fight win streak in the UFC with his last loss coming at the hands of Jon Fitch back at Fight Night 5 in 2006? I can't wait for Alves vs. GSP/Penn!
4) Jake Shields (22-4-1)
Height: 5'11
Birthday: January 9, 1979
Currently Fighting With: Free Agent (under contract with EliteXC)
Last 5 fights:
- 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
- vs. Ido Pariente - Win via submission (rear naked choke) - K-1 HERO's DYNAMITE!! USA - July 2, 2007
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Currently unknown
Comments: And Jake Shields' days in EliteXC are officially over. With a win over Paul Daley at EliteXC "Heat" in October, Shields is now on an 11-fight win streak and hasn't lost since 2004. Dana White has come out and said that he plans on signing Shields as soon as possible, so it may only be a matter of time before Shields competition in the welterweight ranks improves.
5) Josh Koscheck (11-3)
Height: 5'10
Birthday: November 30, 1977
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- 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
- 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
Next scheduled appearance:
- vs. Yoshiyuki Yoshida - UFC Fight Night 16 "UFC Fights For The Troops" - December 10, 2008
Comments: You gotta give it up for Koscheck. He went into his fight against Alves at UFC 90 with a short training camp and although he lost, he still gave him a tough fight. Not only that but he still plans on fighting Yoshiyuki Yoshida at Fight Night 16 next month. You may not like the man, but Koscheck has balls. That's one thing that will definitely get you a fan base.
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........
7) 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. Currently injured
Comments: So we didn't get to see Diego vs. Thiago Alves at UFC 90 due to Diego's torn rib cartilage he suffered during training. No idea how long Diego plans on sitting out.....but it's truly a bummer deal that we didn't get to see that fight. Maybe someday we will.
8) 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. Matt Serra - UFC April 2009 Event - *Currently rumored*
Comments: Matt Hughes has confirmed that it's finally going to happen! We are finally going to get to see Hughes vs. Matt Serra, a fight that we should have seen a year ago. Don't expect it anytime soon however. It's looking like the fight won't happen until April 2009. Seriously? That long? Does this fight still have the drawing power to main event a PPV? Get it over already, I'm bored now.......
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. Dong Hyun Kim - UFC 94: St. Pierre vs. Penn - January 31, 2009 *Currently rumored*
Comments: The current rumor going around is that Karo (who just signed an 8-fight contract extension with the UFC) will fight Dong Hyun Kim at UFC 94 in January. Kim is currently 11-0-1 and is 2-0 in the UFC. If this fight does happen, it will be a good one....that's for sure.
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 (15-4)
Height: 5'8
Birthday: August 24, 1973
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
- vs. Paul Kelly - Win via submission (guillotine choke) - UFC 89: Bisping vs. Leben - October 18, 2008
- 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
i don't put much stock into these things or anything...but...
you guys have got to stop letting people from other zones vote on these things...just sayin.
Posted By: romano (Guest) on November 13, 2008 at 12:42 AM
I would switch Alves and Fitch but other than that this list is on point.
Posted By: Tonley (Registered) on November 13, 2008 at 02:53 AM
It's just writers from our MMA Zone that vote.
Keep in mind Alves lost to Fitch (and Pellegrino) while in the UFC, has tested positive for illegal drugs, and failed to make weight against Matt Hughes. Those are certainly the reasons I didn't put him above Fitch, not to mention Jon's ability to go five rounds against GSP and take everything St. Pierre had to offer.
Posted By: Bren Oliver (Guest) on November 13, 2008 at 12:09 PM
You also could have mentioned that Fitch beat Alves. He's clear #2. I think Condit is too high. he's not beating Sanchez. Probably not Hughes either. I can't wait to see Shields in the UFC.
Posted By: MJH (Guest) on November 13, 2008 at 01:37 PM
I don't understand how you can have Shields or Condit over Hughes, Serra, Sanchez, or even Karo. Quality of competition is too low...Between the 2 of them, 1 person they've faced in the last 10 fights is on this list, and it's Brock Larson, who's on the bubble. Did we learn nothing from the "Pualo Filho is the 2nd best MW in the world" nonsense?
Posted By: Anon (Guest) on November 13, 2008 at 02:33 PM
Any WW ranking list that has Matt Serra on it is garbage.
Posted By: Matt (Guest) on November 13, 2008 at 05:21 PM
