Using a series of strikes to finish then UFC champion Georges St. Pierre (Pictures) in February, New York's Matt Serra (Pictures) picked a good time to rack up his first stoppage victory -- something no one outside of Long Island thought he could do. The squat welterweight has fluctuated between 170 and 155 pounds, and appears to have all of a sudden found his power. Noted for his BJJ game, Serra will likely have his guard put to the test when he defends his belt against former two-time champion Matt Hughes (Pictures) in November.
2. Georges St. Pierre (Pictures) (13-2-0)
An incredible two-year run saw the French Canadian capture the UFC welterweight belt while defeating the likes of Jason Miller, Frank Trigg (Pictures), Sean Sherk (Pictures), B.J. Penn (Pictures) and Matt Hughes (Pictures). No one gave Matt Serra (Pictures) a chance of beating GSP when the two met in April, yet Serra blasted out the champ to take the coveted UFC crown. St. Pierre can either get right back into the fold or take a serious hit when he faces Josh Koscheck (Pictures) inside the octagon at UFC 74.
3. Matt Hughes (Pictures) (41-5-0)
Perennially ranked amongst the top three at his weight, Matt Hughes (Pictures) is widely regarded as one of the sport's most dominant fighters at 170 pounds. His stunning loss to Georges St. Pierre (Pictures) knocked him down a peg, but a convincing decision over veteran Chris Lytle (Pictures) in March of this year helped get Hughes, who returned to his wrestling roots in that fight, back on track. Hughes will face UFC champ Matt Serra (Pictures) at the conclusion of the sixth season of SpikeTV's "The Ultimate Fighter" reality show.
4. Josh Koscheck (Pictures) (9-1-0)
A last-second loss to Drew Fickett (Pictures) is the only blemish on the powerful wrestler's ledger. Koscheck has worked incredibly hard to improve his striking, and in his last fight with rival Diego Sanchez (Pictures) he showed a quality stand-up repertoire. In just 10 fights he has shot into the top five, and now sits on the cusp of a UFC welterweight title shot. Koscheck would jump into the top three with a win over former champion Georges St. Pierre (Pictures) Aug. 25 in Las Vegas.
5. Diego Sanchez (Pictures) (17-1-0)
Undefeated before losing by decision to Josh Koscheck (Pictures) in one of his worst efforts as a pro, Sanchez has an opportunity to immediately get back in UFC title contention if he can beat Jon Fitch (Pictures) on the undercard of UFC 76. Sanchez has recently left his childhood home of Albuquerque, New Mexico and longtime trainer Greg Jackson to be with his child in San Diego, Calif. What role this will play in his future success remains to be seen.
6. Jon Fitch (Pictures) (14-2-0, 1 NC)
People are just now beginning to realize how good a mixed martial artist the former Purdue University wrestler has become. All that's stopping Fitch from moving into the top five is a win against the bigger names in the division. He gets his shot Aug. 25 against Diego Sanchez (Pictures).
7. Karo Parisyan (Pictures) (17-4-0)
There's no doubt that Karo Parisyan (Pictures) is one of the best welterweights in the world, but losses to Diego Sanchez (Pictures) and Georges St. Pierre (Pictures) relegate him to No. 7, which in the loaded welterweight division isn't all that bad. Impressive in a recent defeat of Josh Burkman (Pictures), Parisyan, still young at 24, would love to get a crack at the UFC title he was promised. Continuing to win will be the quickest way to that achievement.
8. Shinya Aoki (Pictures) (11-2-0)
Making a claim as the most dynamic submission fighter on the list, Aoki's status is uncertain after Zuffa's purchase of PRIDE. Having recently fought at 161 pounds, there was debate as where to rank the tights-wearing Japanese fighter, but his position as Shooto champion at 167 pounds (Aoki defeated Akira Kikuchi (Pictures), who holds a win over Shields in 2004 and is just on the outside of the top 10) means he belongs here.
9. Jake Shields (Pictures) (18-4-1)
Shields' fighting style isn't exactly like the Boise St. Broncos' offense. The large welterweight, who cuts down from as heavy as 190 pounds in the days leading up to a fight, employs a methodical, technical style that has confounded many of the opponents he's faced. Shields is slated to step back into the cage on Sept. 15 against Renato "Charuto" Verissimo in Honolulu, Hawaii.
10. Carlos Condit (Pictures) (21-4-0)
The young Albuquerque fighter has compiled quite a record, most recently defending his WEC title by submitting Brock Larson (Pictures) in the opening round. Condit's participation in last year's Rumble on the Rock tournament put him on the map, though he ended the event losing to Shields. A bad defeat against Pat Healy (Pictures) followed, but the 23-year-old fighter has reeled off six wins in a row to squeak into the final slot at 170 pounds. To get any higher, he needs to hope WEC brings in serious competition.