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Five of the world’s top 10 welterweights saw action in Montreal on March 16, and as one might expect, the results of UFC 158 caused a shift in the division’s rankings.

One thing remains the same: Georges St. Pierre is the best 170-pound fighter in MMA. Before a raucous hometown crowd, GSP grounded and pounded challenger Nick Diaz for the better part of five rounds to defend his UFC welterweight crown for the eighth consecutive time. St. Pierre has returned to his dominant form in his last two outings, routing Diaz and Carlos Condit while showing not a trace of rust after ACL reconstruction surgery kept him on the shelf for more than 18 months.

Speaking of Condit, the former UFC interim welterweight champion moves down a spot this month, ceding his No. 2 ranking to aggressive wrestler and new top contender Johny Hendricks. Condit’s chin held up under the force of Hendricks’ thunderous left hand, but the Oklahoma State wrestler’s constant takedowns earned him a unanimous nod and a chance to challenge GSP for gold.

Despite scorching former middleweight contender Nate Marquardt with a first-round knockout, Jake Ellenberger remains stuck at No. 8 due to his recent loss to Martin Kampmann. Still, not many welterweights boast a more impressive resume than “The Juggernaut,” whose 8-2 UFC run includes victories over Jake Shields, Diego Sanchez, Jay Hieron and Mike Pyle.

Elsewhere, Mark Hunt slides into the heavyweight rankings at No. 10, bumping Roy Nelson to the bubble list, while featherweight Darren Elkins and bantamweight T.J. Dillashaw remain on their respective contenders lists with wins at UFC 158.

Continue Reading » MMA Heavyweight Rankings