After three months in limbo the UFC’s welterweight division has a new champion. However, it could well be argued that the division is in more turmoil than ever. Instead of trying to rank the contenders, which has generated significant controversy in the days following UFC 171, it is perhaps easier to look at the division in terms of having various levels.
The Top Contenders
A new king sits atop the 170 pound thrown after Johny Hendricks defeated Robbie Lawler in a back and forth five round battle that firmly establishes Johny Hendricks as the top welterweight in what will inevitably be called the ‘post-GSP era’. However it could be argued that the fight has done more for the standing of Lawler than Hendricks at this stage, elevating him in the eyes of many who saw Lawler as a severe underdog coming into this fight. Taking two rounds from Johny Hendricks, damaging him badly (and significantly more than George St Pierre did, at least physically) has increased the standing of the UFC veteran to the point where he now occupies the #1 contender spot in the UFC’s rankings.
Joining him in that top echelon of contenders is Tyron Woodley who also put in a significant performance on Saturday, defeating Carlos Condit via injury TKO. While the manner of the victory was not satisfying to many, Woodley clearly won the first round and the first half of the second before the fight came to an end. After defeating former title challenger Josh Koscheck via TKO in November, Woodley has rocketed to the top level in the welterweight division – although many still hold a split decision loss to Jake Shields last year against him, even though many scored that fight differently. Also there, at least in the UFC’s mind, is Tristar prodigy Rory MacDonald who pulled out his best performance in over a year against Demian Maia at UFC 170, coming through a tough first round to dominate the final two. However MacDonald’s stock has been damaged by a lacklustre win over Jake Ellenberger and a decision loss to Robbie Lawler in 2013. Carlos Condit continues to occupy a top spot in the division despite now being 1-3 in his last four.
The Step Behind
Hector Lombard took a huge step forward in his ascendancy through the welterweight division at UFC 171 with a dominating performance against Jake Shields, and as such Lombard vaults up to a prominent place in the division. The former Bellator champion finally looks to be interested in earning his obscene paycheck in the UFC, and now adds Shields to his collection of Strikeforce champion scalps. Lombard’s performances and recent wins mean he leads this pack of mid-level contenders.
Matt Brown has been the divisions forgotten man to a certain extent – after six wins in a row and five finishes Brown was scheduled to fight Carlos Condit in December before a back injury ruled him out, and arguably his spot has been usurped by Tyron Woodley. Brown will now be looking for another finish against Erick Silva in May to get people talking once again. Jake Ellenberger is still well ranked, actually ahead of Hector Lombard (which says rather more about the UFC rankings than the fighters themselves) despite losses to Martin Kampmann and Rory MacDonald which leave him as something of a gatekeeper in the division. After split decision victories over Tyron Woodley and Demian Maia Jake Shields’ loss to Lombard has set him back, as has Maia’s loss to MacDonald.
Others in this bracket include Tarec Saffiedine and Dong Hyun Kim, who are both coming off strong victories.
The Up and Comers
This week’s UFC rankings featured three new entries – Kelvin Gastelum, Erick Silva and Gunnar Nelson.
Gastelum’s split decision victory over Rick Story, which was undeniably close, leaves him 8-0 in his MMA career and 3-0 in the UFC, but he does seem to be being elevated prematurely particularly given Story was the first decent level opponent he has faced. The ranking of Silva has puzzled many, and it seems plausible that he will drop off the list should he lose to Matt Brown in May. Nelson is 12-0 and has two submission finishes in the UFC, with other top prospects like Brandon Thatch and Ryan LaFlare running on extended winning streaks.
Mike Pyle would also probably have to be included with this group on account of being 5-1 in his last six with four knockout finishes, but losses to Matt Brown and Rory MacDonald have hurt his ability to push into the upper levels.
—-
So there we have it, three levels of the top welterweights in the UFC. Is there anyone who you think is unfairly placed? Anyone who is omitted? Tweet me at @CallumLeslieMMA and let me know!
