With Josh Koscheck’s May 8 win over Paul Daley, St. Pierre’s next title defense was set. But before he meets Koscheck in a rematch of their August 2007 encounter, the two welterweights will square off as opposing coaches on the 12th season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” with a very convenient and apparent good guy-bad guy dynamic.
2. Jon Fitch (23-3, 1 NC)
After besting Thiago Alves for a second time, Fitch was hopeful he would get another crack at the UFC welterweight crown. That opportunity will be going to Jake Shields. Instead of another title shot, Fitch will simply receive another tough welterweight, as he meets Jake Ellenberger at UFC 126 on Feb. 5.
3. Thiago Alves (17-7)
A lackluster loss to Jon Fitch in August, coupled with missing weight, seemed to signal Alves’ move to 185 pounds. Instead, “Pitbull” has linked up with MMA fighter-slash-nutritional guru Mike Dolce, who has vowed to get him in shape and on weight for a 170-pound clash with John Howard at UFC 124 on Dec. 11.
4. Jake Shields (26-4-1)
Shields took a split decision over Martin Kampmann in his UFC debut in October, but whether one wants to call it “successful” or not was another story. However, it does appear the former Strikeforce middleweight champion has done enough to earn a UFC title shot. Shields figures to take on the winner of December’s Georges St. Pierre-Josh Koscheck clash in the spring.
5. Josh Koscheck (15-4)
With high stakes up for grabs -- a UFC welterweight title shot and a coaching stint opposite Georges St. Pierre on “The Ultimate Fighter 12” -- Koscheck dominated Paul Daley for 15 minutes on the floor en route to a unanimous decision victory at UFC 113. After blocking a post-fight sucker punch from Daley and taunting the Montreal crowd, Koscheck cemented himself as one of MMA’s premiere heels and set in place the groundwork for the build-up to his rematch with St. Pierre.
6. Martin Kampmann (17-4)
Kampmann gave former Strikeforce middleweight champion Jake Shields all he could handle in his Octagon debut at UFC 121 on Oct. 23. However, Kampmann did not do enough to earn the nod, losing a contentious split decision many observers feel he deserved.
7. Carlos Condit (26-5)
Condit’s resurgent 2010 campaign has earned him an all-action fight to kick off 2011. At UFC 127 in Sydney, Australia, the “Natural Born Killer” will take on free-swinging veteran Chris Lytle in a fight that promises wild action and bears welterweight contender consequences.
8. Dan Hardy (23-8, 1 NC)
Europe had been magical for Hardy during his UFC tenure. However, that was not the case at UFC 120 on Oct. 16. “The Outlaw” was smashed with a brutal left hook from Carlos Condit that took him out of consciousness and away from the top of the UFC welterweight division.
9. Nick Diaz (23-7, 1 ND)
In one of the year’s most entertaining affairs on Oct. 9, Diaz exorcised some three-year-old demons, as he outboxed rival K.J. Noons over five fun rounds in San Jose, Calif., and took a unanimous decision. Diaz’s next challenger remains uncertain, but with Paul Daley wielding a Strikeforce contract and up-and-comer Tyron Woodley making strides, there are exciting affairs to look forward to.
10. Paul Daley (25-9-2)
By the skin of his teeth, Daley edged out a decision win over usual lightweight Jorge Masvidal on Sept. 11. The win set up “Semtex” for a multi-fight deal with Strikeforce, which will begin Dec. 4 when the British banger makes his promotional debut against Scott Smith in St. Louis.
Other contenders: Ben Askren, John Hathaway, Jay Hieron, Dan Hornbuckle, Mike Pyle.