Welterweights
1. Georges St.-Pierre (19-2) – Jackson’s MMA
GSP is on a short list of best pound for pound fighters in the world. After dominating Fitch, Penn, and Alves, we will see if he’ll break a sweat with Dan Hardy in March.
2. Jon Fitch (21-3, 1NC) – American Kickboxing Academy
Fitch had his shot at UFC gold but just isn’t on the same level as GSP. He’ll look to prove that he’s the next best in the division with a rematch of Thiago Alves in March.
3. Thiago Alves (16-6) – American Top Team
Alves had a lot of hype going into his title fight and was thought of as GSP’s toughest test to date but fell short- way short. He will try to avenge his early loss to Jon Fitch in March.
4. Dan Hardy (23-6) – Team Rough House
It makes you wonder what kind of world we live in where Dan Hardy can get a title shot. I guess it’s the kind where the champion has already beaten everyone else and Josh Koscheck loses fights he shouldn’t. Hardy gets his crack at the divisions best in March(recurring theme here).
5. Josh Koscheck (14-4) – American Kickboxing Academy
Kos is stuck in a division with a bunch of his friends and teammates that he refuses to fight, and has already lost to the champion in a non-title fight. Luckily for him there are other options as he’ll get to test himself against striker Paul Daley in May.
6. Paul Daley (23-8-2) – Team Rough House
Daley’s moved up the ladder fast since he’s been in the UFC with two quick and powerful knockouts of Martin Kampmann and Dustin Hazelett. He’ll have a much stiffer test against Josh Koscheck, but a win would certainly put him in title contention.
7. Nick Diaz (21-7) – Cesar Gracie
Diaz earned the Strikeforce welterweight title with a knockout over the fast rising Marius Zaromskis in January. Unfortunately for him there just aren’t many top opponents at welterweight outside of the UFC. His next fight is TBA, likely against Mach Sakurai or possibly Jay Hieron.
8. Paulo Thiago (13-1) – Constrictor Team
Thiago made a big splash in his UFC debut with a stunning knockout over Josh Koscheck. The UFC threw him to the wolves in his next fight and he lost via decision to Jon Fitch but rebounded with a submission victory over Mike Swick. The UFC is currently searching AKA’s welterweight roster for his next opponent.
9. Carlos Condit (24-5) – Arizona Combat Sports
Condit’s UFC debut was a great fight but ended in defeat via split decision to Martin Kampmann. His next fight out was against Jake Ellenberger who proved to be a very tough opponent but Condit narrowly squeaked out the victory. His next fight is TBA.
10. Dan Hornbuckle (19-2) – Team Solid/Goshin Jitsu
Hornbuckle has made a name for himself in MMA as one of the most exciting and explosive welterweights out there. He’s currently signed to Bellator and will be participating in the stacked welterweight tournament this year.
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