Sherdog's Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings
Welterweight
Dec 18, 2007
WELTERWEIGHT (170-155)
1. Matt Serra (Pictures) (9-4-0)
Even though he became a part of MMA fans' weekly television watching, it's been seven long months since "The Terror" shocked the world, running roughshod over Georges St. Pierre (Pictures). In a year full of solid performances from the likes of Randy Couture (Pictures), Quinton Jackson (Pictures) and Anderson Silva, Serra had the chance to entrench himself as 2007's most outstanding fighter and validate himself in the eyes of nonbelievers against Matt Hughes (Pictures) on Dec. 29. However, an injury on Thanksgiving week forced Serra to the sidelines, where he'll watch the No. 2 and 3 welterweights battle for an interim title.
2. Georges St. Pierre
(Pictures) (14-2-0)
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 got back on track at UFC 74 with a resounding decision win over Josh Koscheck (Pictures). GSP is slotted in to fight Hughes for the UFC welterweight interim belt on Dec. 29.
3. Matt Hughes (Pictures) (41-5-0)
While Hughes' team took a beating on the latest season of "The Ultimate Fighter," the former two-time UFC welterweight champion thought he was going for his third title against TUF 6 adversary Matt Serra (Pictures) on Dec. 29. However, Serra's back injury prompted St. Pierre to fill in, making the year-ending fight a chance for Hughes to take a two fights to one edge over the French Canadian. A trilogy-winning performance from Hughes puts him back in line to fight his rival from New York.
With his impressive decision victory over Diego Sanchez (Pictures) on Sept. 22, Fitch moved to 7-0 in the UFC and up two spots in the Sherdog rankings. The impressive wrestler turned mixed martial artist showed an array of skills, including an amazing ability to avoid submissions. Fitch has come out of the shadows the right way, winning tough fights that helped him grow as a fighter -- and as a known commodity among MMA fans.
5. Josh Koscheck (Pictures) (9-2-0)
A last-second loss to Drew Fickett (Pictures) is no longer the only blemish on the powerful wrestler's ledger. Koscheck was dominated during his 15-minute clash with former UFC champion Georges St. Pierre (Pictures). Perhaps most surprising: He was outwrestled and forced to fight from the bottom for most of the fight. Training with Jon Fitch (Pictures) at the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, Calif., should only help Koscheck's progression.
6. Diego Sanchez (Pictures) (17-2-0)
Undefeated before losing by decision to Koscheck in one of his worst efforts as a pro, Sanchez redeemed himself even in losing to Jon Fitch (Pictures) on Sept. 22. "The Ultimate Fighter 1" star aggressively attacked Fitch with submissions, but he failed to find one due to his foe's incredible defense. Sanchez recently left his childhood home of Albuquerque, N.M., and longtime trainer Greg Jackson to be with his child in San Diego, Calif. The move to work with Rob Garcia regularly didn't appear to hurt Sanchez, who might consider a move down to lightweight following his second loss in a row.
7. Karo Parisyan (Pictures) (18-4-0)
Parisyan was once promised a title shot before the UFC's 170-pound title picture went haywire. However, he has done his job as a prizefighter, continuously facing quality opposition and, apart from his classic with Diego Sanchez (Pictures), winning. The high amplitude-minded Armenian continued his march towards a title shot by outlasting former DEEP champion and PRIDE veteran Ryo Chonan (Pictures) at UFC 78.
8. Jake Shields (Pictures) (20-4-1)
With free agency looming, Shields inked a long-term deal with ProElite and then went out and quickly dispatched of a quality opponent in Mike Pyle (Pictures). The next stop for Shields would seemingly be an EliteXC title match. The real question, however, is whom Gary Shaw and company can find to face Shields that will offer him any sort of challenge.
9. Shinya Aoki (Pictures) (11-2-0)
Aoki slides a spot in the rankings to No. 9 due to his obvious inactivity. Aoki offers another reason to keep fans excited on New Year's Eve, when the Japanese submission artist fights lightweight star Gesias Calvancante (Pictures) in Tokyo.
10. Carlos Condit (Pictures) (21-4-0)
The young fighter from Albuquerque, N.M., 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.
1. Matt Serra (Pictures) (9-4-0)
Even though he became a part of MMA fans' weekly television watching, it's been seven long months since "The Terror" shocked the world, running roughshod over Georges St. Pierre (Pictures). In a year full of solid performances from the likes of Randy Couture (Pictures), Quinton Jackson (Pictures) and Anderson Silva, Serra had the chance to entrench himself as 2007's most outstanding fighter and validate himself in the eyes of nonbelievers against Matt Hughes (Pictures) on Dec. 29. However, an injury on Thanksgiving week forced Serra to the sidelines, where he'll watch the No. 2 and 3 welterweights battle for an interim title.
Advertisement
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 got back on track at UFC 74 with a resounding decision win over Josh Koscheck (Pictures). GSP is slotted in to fight Hughes for the UFC welterweight interim belt on Dec. 29.
3. Matt Hughes (Pictures) (41-5-0)
While Hughes' team took a beating on the latest season of "The Ultimate Fighter," the former two-time UFC welterweight champion thought he was going for his third title against TUF 6 adversary Matt Serra (Pictures) on Dec. 29. However, Serra's back injury prompted St. Pierre to fill in, making the year-ending fight a chance for Hughes to take a two fights to one edge over the French Canadian. A trilogy-winning performance from Hughes puts him back in line to fight his rival from New York.
4. Jon
Fitch (Pictures) (15-2-0, 1 NC)
With his impressive decision victory over Diego Sanchez (Pictures) on Sept. 22, Fitch moved to 7-0 in the UFC and up two spots in the Sherdog rankings. The impressive wrestler turned mixed martial artist showed an array of skills, including an amazing ability to avoid submissions. Fitch has come out of the shadows the right way, winning tough fights that helped him grow as a fighter -- and as a known commodity among MMA fans.
5. Josh Koscheck (Pictures) (9-2-0)
A last-second loss to Drew Fickett (Pictures) is no longer the only blemish on the powerful wrestler's ledger. Koscheck was dominated during his 15-minute clash with former UFC champion Georges St. Pierre (Pictures). Perhaps most surprising: He was outwrestled and forced to fight from the bottom for most of the fight. Training with Jon Fitch (Pictures) at the American Kickboxing Academy in San Jose, Calif., should only help Koscheck's progression.
6. Diego Sanchez (Pictures) (17-2-0)
Undefeated before losing by decision to Koscheck in one of his worst efforts as a pro, Sanchez redeemed himself even in losing to Jon Fitch (Pictures) on Sept. 22. "The Ultimate Fighter 1" star aggressively attacked Fitch with submissions, but he failed to find one due to his foe's incredible defense. Sanchez recently left his childhood home of Albuquerque, N.M., and longtime trainer Greg Jackson to be with his child in San Diego, Calif. The move to work with Rob Garcia regularly didn't appear to hurt Sanchez, who might consider a move down to lightweight following his second loss in a row.
7. Karo Parisyan (Pictures) (18-4-0)
Parisyan was once promised a title shot before the UFC's 170-pound title picture went haywire. However, he has done his job as a prizefighter, continuously facing quality opposition and, apart from his classic with Diego Sanchez (Pictures), winning. The high amplitude-minded Armenian continued his march towards a title shot by outlasting former DEEP champion and PRIDE veteran Ryo Chonan (Pictures) at UFC 78.
8. Jake Shields (Pictures) (20-4-1)
With free agency looming, Shields inked a long-term deal with ProElite and then went out and quickly dispatched of a quality opponent in Mike Pyle (Pictures). The next stop for Shields would seemingly be an EliteXC title match. The real question, however, is whom Gary Shaw and company can find to face Shields that will offer him any sort of challenge.
9. Shinya Aoki (Pictures) (11-2-0)
Aoki slides a spot in the rankings to No. 9 due to his obvious inactivity. Aoki offers another reason to keep fans excited on New Year's Eve, when the Japanese submission artist fights lightweight star Gesias Calvancante (Pictures) in Tokyo.
10. Carlos Condit (Pictures) (21-4-0)
The young fighter from Albuquerque, N.M., 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.
Related Articles
