The UFC Welterweight Top 20: The Coming Of The New Guard

The UFC's Welterweight division has long been a murderer's row though dominated by the French Canadian, but now a newer younger version of 170 is emerging with ridiculously well rounded challengers coming up the ranks. As BJ Penn, Matt Hughes, and the Thiago Alves' of the world begin to ride off into the sunset (see picture above), the new breed of Welterweights is emerging. MMA fans want Georges St. Pierre to fight Anderson Silva (if he gets past Nick Diaz) but I believe they are overlooking some competitors who are not even near their peak and growing in skill and confidence. Rick Story, Johny Hendricks, Rory MacDonald, John Hathaway, Jake Ellengerger and more may have GSP looking over his shoulder sooner than you think. Check the rankings yo.

(Ranking-Name-Win Streak-UFC Record)

Welterweight Champion Georges St.Pierre +9 (16-2)

1 Jon Fitch = (13-1-1)
Jon has been sidelined with an injury ever since his Draw with BJ Penn in February. Always the bridesmaid of the division, Fitch had ridden a 5 fight winning streak since the title loss to GSP but hasn’t finished an opponent since mid-’07. The “boring” label won’t go away preventing a rematch with the champ.

2 Carlos Condit +4 (4-1)
“NBK” left the WEC as Champion and an upcoming bout with BJ Penn will decide the #1 contender to face the winner of GSP/Diaz in October. This guy has the killer instinct.

3 Nick Diaz +10 (6-4)
The 209 rep left Strikeforce as Champion and now faces the seemingly unbeatable “Rush.” You can't tell me his shit talk won't get into the head of the notoriously unstable GSP.

4 Jake Shields -1 (1-1)

Stumbling into the UFC Jake is looking to get comfortable against the “Juggernaut” later this year. It may be a tall task.

5 BJ Penn = (14-6-1)
See Condit.

6 Josh Koscheck -1 (13-5)
For the past 8 months “Kos” has been recovering with a broken orbital bone. He'll be making an "experimental" stop at 185 before his return to the division he knows.

7 Johny Hendricks +2 (6-1)
The Sooner has lost only once in the UFC and defeating the talented Mike Pierce is impressive. This is a guy I believe will get to the title in his career.

8 Charlie Brenneman +2 (3-1)
The “Spaniard’s” only Zuffa loss is to the above Hendricks and the upset victory over Rick Story vaults him up the charts. A lack of offensive ability may not keep him here long.

9 Rick Story -1 (6-2)
The last second notice loss to Brenneman won’t hurt in the long run as the ferocious 26 year old continues to grow and fight viciously like a lil Wanderlei Silva.

10 Jake Ellenberger +4 (4-1)
Facing Jake Shields will truly test the emerging star with sick wrestling and heavy hands.

11 Rory MacDonald +2 (3-1)
The 22 year old has only lost once in the final seconds and though comparisons to fellow countryman GSP are unfair, he seems to possess the demeanor and skill of a veteran. This kid has all the talent in the world to become a champion.

12 Anthony Johnson +1 (6-3)
“Rumble” is back with a win after injuries and a domestic violence charge sidelined his promising career. Can the uber-athletic Welterweight in a Light Heavyweight’s body maintain at this weight when dropping 30+ lbs. per fight!

13 Thiago Alves -1 (10-5)
The “Pitbull” has fallen on hard times losing 3 of 4 just as it seems he got control of his weight. The younger fighters seem to be catching up to Alves who seems to have hit his career ceiling.

14 Dong Hyun Kim -1 (5-1-1)
The “Donger” was rolling until Condit’s flying knee scrambled his world. Give him time and the “Stun Gun” will be back in the mix but the loss dropped his stock greatly.

15 John Hathaway +1 (5-1)
The “Hitman” is the Rory MacDonald of England on which a countries hopes hang. The 24 year old has only stumbled once but has come back down to Earth after a quick start. More wrestling and the kid will hang with the best.

16 Diego Sanchez +2 (12-4)
The “Dream” showed amazing heart defeating Martin Kampmann last time out and made a smart decision returning to Greg Jackson’s camp. He'll never make it to the title but I'll always watch this crazy bastard fight.

17 Martin Kampmann -2 (8-4)
The other Welterweight “Hitman,” has dropped a couple in a row but only against the top tier. He needs a win but should rebound and head back up. Really lacks the killer instinct though.

18 Matt Hughes -1 (16-5)

The greatest welterweight of all time got destroyed by Penn and maybe a bit lucky before that. A match with Diego Sanchez could be his last.

19 Mike Pierce -1 (4-2)
The loss to Johny Hendricks hurts a bit but continuing solid performances may take him back to the middle. Very well rounded and improving.

20 Brian Foster +2 (3-2)
Poor dude got a testicle exploded in practice which put him on the shelf after winning two in a row with the HIT Squad.