Ben Duffy/Sherdog.com illustration
Welterweight
1. Kamaru Usman (15-1)
Even those who predicted victory for Usman couldn’t have imagined “The Nigerian Nightmare” being as dominant as he was against Tyron Woodley at UFC 235. Usman claimed the welterweight throne on the strength of five dominant rounds against Woodley, overwhelming his opponent with wrestling, clinch work and top control. In fact, Usman probably deserved more 10-8 scorecards than he received. Nonetheless, Usman has hardware for his trophy case and an ongoing 10-fight winning streak. After recovering from double-hernia surgery, Usman was expected to defend his belt against Colby Covington at UFC 244, but after a lengthy negotiating process, the two will meet in the UFC 245 headliner on Dec. 14.2. Tyron Woodley (19-5-1)
For a man laying claim to the welterweight “GOAT” title coming in, UFC 235 was a cold dose of of reality for Woodley. “The Chosen One” was overwhelmed from the outset against Kamaru Usman, as he was dominated from bell to bell in the evening’s co-main event at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. Once he was unable to land his powerful right hand, Woodley had no other answers for his opponent, and his wrestling was surprisingly no match for “The Nigerian Nightmare.” The ex-champ was supposed to face Robbie Lawler in a rematch at UFC on ESPN 3 in Minneapolis but was forced to withdraw due to injury.3. Colby Covington (15-1)
Covington showed no adverse affects from more than a year off, as he dominated Robbie Lawler for five rounds in the UFC on ESPN 5 headliner in Newark, N.J., on Aug. 3. By overwhelming his foe with volume striking and suffocating wrestling, “Chaos” made a strong case for a title shot against reigning champion Kamaru Usman. The American Top Team standout has won seven straight bouts and 10 of 11 overall within the Las Vegas-based promotion. Covington was expected to get his opportunity against Usman at UFC 244, but the promotion was unable to come to terms with the American Top Team representative and the bout fell apart. Fortunately for the former interim king, the championship contest will headline UfC 245 in Las Vegas on Dec. 14.4. Jorge Masvidal (34-13)
Masvidal sent an emphatic message to the rest of the division at UFC 239, when he knocked out Ben Askren in a promotion-record five seconds. After back-to-back quick stoppages of Askren and Darren Till, “Gamebred’s” stock has never been higher than it is now. Masvidal won’t get a title shot in his next outing, but the alternative might be just as appealing: the Miami resident will headline UFC 244 at Madison Square Garden against Nate Diaz.5. Leon Edwards (18-3)
Edwards gave the most complete performance of his career at UFC on ESPN 4, earning convincing five-round verdict over former lightweight king Rafael dos Anjos in San Antonio on July 20. That makes eight consecutive victories for “Rocky,” the second longest active winning streak in the division behind only reigning champ Kamaru Usman. Edwards has positioned himself as one of the top contenders at 170 pounds and was reportedly in talks with the UFC to face Usman at Madison Square Garden before negotiations fell apart.6. Rafael dos Anjos (29-12)
Dos Anjos was game but ultimately outmatched at UFC on ESPN 4, as he dropped a clear-cut unanimous decision to Leon Edwards in the evening’s headliner in San Antonio on July 20. The former lightweight champion struggled with his opponent’s size and range, losing for the third time in his last four outings. Dos Anjos had a strong start in his move to welterweight with a three-bout winning streak but at 34 years old could struggle to find his way to the top of the division at this point in his career.7. Ben Askren (19-1)
Askren wasn’t likely to remain unbeaten forever, but few could have predicted that his first defeat would come in record time. The decorated wrestler met a quick demise against Jorge Masvidal at UFC 239, falling victim to a flying knee and two follow-up punches in just five seconds. After earning a questionable victory over Robbie Lawler in his Octagon debut, the former Bellator champion has some work to do to be regarded among the top contenders in the division. That begins with a matchup against decorated grappler Demian Maia at UFC Singapore on Oct. 26.8. Robbie Lawler (28-14)
Lawler just couldn’t get going against Colby Covington in the UFC on ESPN 5 headliner. The former welterweight champion spent the majority of the Aug. 3 bout in Newark, N.J., either fending off takedown attempts or wading through Covington’s volume-based striking. Either way, it left Lawler with precious few opportunities to unleash his notoriously heavy hands. Now 37 years old, “Ruthless” has lost four of his last five UFC outings. A matchup with the streaking Santiago Ponzinibbio has been targeted for UFC 245 on Dec. 14.9. Rory MacDonald (21-5-1)
MacDonald had plenty of questions to answer after an uninspiring majority draw against Jon Fitch allowed him to advance to the semifinals of Bellator’s welterweight grand prix. The UFC veteran’s post-fight interview, where he seemed to express a lack of desire to compete, only furthered speculation that “The Red King’s” best days were behind him. However, MacDonald quelled some of those concerns with a relatively convincing unanimous verdict over the previously unbeaten Neiman Gracie at Bellator 222. Next, he will advance to the 170-pound finals to face Douglas Lima, who he previously defeated at Bellator 192. The bout will take place at Bellator 232 on Oct. 26.10. Douglas Lima (31-7)
Lima ended the hype surrounding flamboyant British striker Michael Page in emphatic fashion, defeating Venom via first-round knockout at Bellator 221. Not only did Lima end Page’s unbeaten run, but he punched his ticket to the finals of the promotion’s welterweight grand prix. Lima will now await a rematch with reigning 170-pound king Rory MacDonald at Bellator 232 on Oct. 26.Other Contenders: Darren Till, Santiago Ponzinibbio, Nate Diaz, Anthony Pettis, Jingliang Li.
Continue Reading » Lightweight