Welterweight
1. Tyron Woodley (17-3-1)
It was an absolutely dreadful title fight and among the worst in UFC history. Nonetheless, in the UFC 209 headliner, Woodley earned a razor-thin majority decision over Stephen Thompson in their championship rematch; it was the forgettable sequel to their majority draw at UFC 205 in November. Now, the 170-pound ruler will assuredly politick for big paydays in public while he awaits the winner of the forthcoming Demian Maia-Jorge Masvidal showdown in May.2. Robbie Lawler (27-11, 1 NC)
After a surprise return to 170 pounds and a late-career run that redefined his legacy, Lawler’s welterweight reign of terror ended at UFC 201 in July, when Tyron Woodley lamped him in Atlanta. However, that does not mean every “Ruthless”-related streak has to come to an end. After all, Lawler has still co-authored the last three “Fight of the Year” winners. Even if it is only three rounds, he has a chance to make it four in a row when he makes his return at UFC 213 on July 8, facing fellow mega-action fighter Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in a potential thriller.3. Stephen Thompson (13-2-1)
Thompson came up just short against welterweight champion Tyron Woodley at UFC 205 in November, fighting to a majority draw. At UFC 209 four months later, “Wonderboy” failed to gain the gold in another squeaker, this time dropping a majority decision to Woodley. Thompson remains adamant he will fight for a UFC title again, but the road for the 34-year-old figures to be a difficult one.4. Demian Maia (24-6)
Over his six-fight winning streak, the 39-year-old Maia has gotten more and more dominant. However, the UFC chose to run back Tyron Woodley-Stephen Thompson following their majority draw in November, so Maia has been forced to stay busy to save his chance at a title shot. His next hurdle comes in the form of rising contender Jorge Masvidal at UFC 211 on May 13 in Dallas.5. Rory MacDonald (18-4)
MacDonald’s Bellator MMA debut is finally set and figures to be a fun one, as “The Red King” will meet knockout artist Paul Daley in the Bellator 179 headliner on May 19. The downside for MacDonald is that it comes in the form of a road game, taking place at SSE Arena in London. It will be the first time in his 23-fight pro career that MacDonald has fought outside the United States and Canada.6. Lorenz Larkin (18-5, 1 NC)
After back-to-back wins over contenders Jorge Masvidal and Neil Magny -- the Magny victory being especially lopsided and brutal – most figured the UFC would covet the services of the “Monsoon.” Instead, Larkin's previous promoter, Scott Coker, entered the race and won himself a miniature bidding war. Larkin will challenge welterweight champion Douglas Lima in his promotional debut on June 24 at Madison Square Garden.7. Jorge Masvidal (32-11)
In the wake of his six-minute demolition of Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone in January, Masvidal has been soaking up the limelight and frequently taking his characteristic brash talk to the media. After a series of callouts angling for a big fight, “Gamebred” has a date that could vault him right into a UFC welterweight title shot: On May 13 in Dallas, Masvidal tries to break surging Demian Maia’s six-fight winning streak.8. Neil Magny (19-5)
Magny’s wins over Kelvin Gastelum and Hector Lombard put him on the 170-pound map, but his lopsided TKO loss to Lorenz Larkin in August was a serious stumbling block for his status as a welterweight contender. Nonetheless, Magny is 11-2 in his last 13 bouts in the Octagon and figures to continue tangling with the division's emerging elite.9. Donald Cerrone (32-8, 1 NC)
Cerrone surprised onlookers in 2016 by cutting a swath through the 170-pound division and grabbing four stoppage wins in less than 10 months. However, Jorge Masvidal brought “Cowboy” back to Earth in January, battering the Jackson-Wink MMA product and stopping him in six minutes. Never one to opt for a tune-up bout or a soft opponent, Cerrone is getting right back into the swing of things and showing off the kind of enthusiastic recklessness that has made him a fan favorite and an outstanding fighter in two great weight classes. “Cowboy” will meet former UFC welterweight champ Robbie Lawler in a potential “Fight of the Year” candidate at UFC 213 on July 8 in Las Vegas.10. Douglas Lima (28-6)
When Lima won his first Bellator welterweight title in April 2014, he failed to retain it, dropping a 25-minute decision to Andrey Koreshkov in his first defense. Now that he has taken back the crown from Koreshkov, the Atlanta-based Brazilian has earned himself an appealing bout for his first defense this time around: Lima next meets newly signed Lorenz Larkin at Bellator 180 come June 24.Other Contenders: Leon Edwards, Dong Hyun Kim, Andrey Koreshkov, Gunnar Nelson, Kamaru Usman.
Continue Reading » Lightweight