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411 MMA Rankings: Welterweight Division
There is something about Robbie Lawler. The 33-year-old veteran of nearly 40 professional fights did not reach his prime until the past two years and three of his last four fights are considered the best of their respective years. I cannot explain it other than saying everything has clicked for the reigning UFC welterweight champion both in terms of training, attitude and desire. Who can say whether we’d be talking about him in such ways if Georges St. Pierre never retired, but clearly, Lawler is the top fighter in the division. He has come out on top in wars with Johny Hendricks, Rory MacDonald and Carlos Condit most recently, and it’s looking like another rematch is in store with Condit.
Perhaps the two candidates to dethrone King Lawler are not any of the names already mentioned. Perhaps Tyron Woodley (who is still waiting patiently for his title fight opportunity) or Demian Maia (7-2 at 170 pounds) can avoid being dragged into a prolonged war and instead impose their own will on the champion.
If not, look for the fighter with some 40 fights in his mid-30s to continue brawling his way into similar respect than what GSP had during his dominant stretch years ago.
411’s MMA Ranking Rules
– Which fighters are eligible for these rankings? They must meet the following qualifications: fight at least once in the past 365 days or if they have not, be officially scheduled for an upcoming fight.
– A fighter serving a disciplinary suspension will not be ranked. They can return when they have served their suspension or in the event it is rescinded. This includes fighters who may disregard their suspension locally to fight overseas.
– If a fighter appears on just one single ballot, and in the top ten, five points will be deducted to balance between other fighters who may be ranked lower, but appear on a greater amount of ballots.
– Want to complain about a fighter’s ranking in the comments section? Please include an objective reason why you despise the list, and try your best to bring the rest of us to your way of thinking.
411’s Official MMA Rankings
Welterweight Division
1) “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler (27-10, 1 NC)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: March 20, 1982
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Carlos Condit – Win via decision (split) – UFC 195: Lawler vs. Condit – January 2, 2016
– vs. Rory MacDonald – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 189: Mendes vs. McGregor – July 11, 2015
– vs. Johny Hendricks – Win via decision (split) – UFC 181: Hendricks vs. Lawler 2 – December 6, 2014
– vs. Matt Brown – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox: Lawler vs. Brown – July 26, 2014
– vs. Jake Ellenberger – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 173: Barao vs. Dillashaw – May 24, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Lawler retained his UFC championship in a controversial split decision at UFC 195 ten days ago, with many believing the judges should have scored the fight for Carlos Condit. Regardless, Lawler very well may have participated in the third consecutive fight of the year (following his March 2014 fight with Johny Hendricks and last summers war with Rory MacDonald), an amazing string of grueling fights for a guy who was once considered a past-his-prime shadow of himself. Now, Lawler remains the best welterweight in the sport and a rematch with Condit is likely for the summer.
2) Johny Hendricks (17-3)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: September 12, 1983
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Matt Brown – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 185 – March 14, 2015
– vs. Robbie Lawler – Loss via decision (split) – UFC 181: Hendricks vs. Lawler 2 – December 6, 2014
– vs. Robbie Lawler – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 171: Hendricks vs. Lawler – March 15, 2014
– vs. Georges St. Pierre – Loss via decision (split) – UFC 167: St. Pierre vs. Hendricks – November 16, 2013
– vs. Carlos Condit – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 158: St. Pierre vs. Diaz – March 16, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Stephen Thompson – UFC 196: Werdum vs. Velasquez 2 – February 6, 2016
Commment: Hendricks may be at a crossroads in his career entering the new year. He has not fought since last March when he beat Matt Brown, was unable to fight in October due to his inability to make weight (later we found out he had a kidney stone and intestinal issues). It’s now more than a year since he lost the welterweight title to Robbie Lawler and he must prove doubters wrong in a few weeks and not let rising stud “Wonderboy” Thompson score the upset.
3) Rory MacDonald (18-3)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: July 22, 1989
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Robbie Lawler – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 189: Mendes vs. McGregor – July 11, 2015
– vs. Tarec Saffiedine – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: MacDonald vs. Saffiedine – October 4, 2014
– vs. Tyron Woodley – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 174: Johnson vs. Bagautinov – June 14, 2014
– vs. Demian Maia – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 170: Rousey vs. McMann – February 22, 2014
– vs. Robbie Lawler – Loss via decision (split) – UFC 167: St. Pierre vs. Hendricks – November 16, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
4) Tyron Woodley (15-4)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: April 17, 1982
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Kelvin Gastelum – Win via decision (split) – UFC 183: Silva vs. Diaz – January 31, 2015
– vs. Dong Hyun Kim – Win via KO (punches) – UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Le – August 23, 2014
– vs. Rory MacDonald – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 174: Johnson vs. Bagautinov – June 14, 2014
– vs. Carlos Condit – Win via TKO (injury) – UFC 171: Hendricks vs. Lawler – March 15, 2014
– vs. Josh Koscheck – Win via KO (punches) – UFC 167: St. Pierre vs. Hendricks – November 16, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Perhaps the biggest loser in the turn of events at UFC 195 is Tyron Woodley. He was figuring to get the next title fight at the winner, but with a rematch between Lawler and Condit likely, he’s still on the sidelines. I cannot imagine Tyron will want to continue sitting and waiting because he has not fought since the end of last January. He needs to get back in the cage and I believe an opportunity to avenge his 2014 loss to Rory MacDonald has to be at least somewhat intriguing.
5) Carlos Condit (30-9)
Height: 6’1
Birthday: April 26, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Robbie Lawler – Loss via decision (split) – UFC 195: Lawler vs. Condit – January 2, 2016
– vs. Thiago Alves – Win via TKO (doctor stoppage) – UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Alves – May 30, 2015
– vs. Tyron Woodley – Loss via TKO (injury) – UFC 171: Hendricks vs. Lawler – March 15, 2014
– vs. Martin Kampmann – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann 2 – August 28, 2013
– vs. Johny Hendricks – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 158: St. Pierre vs. Diaz – March 16, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
6) Demian Maia (22-6)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: November 6, 1977
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Gunnar Nelson – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 194: Aldo vs. McGregor – December 12, 2015
– vs. Neil Magny – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 190: Rousey vs. Correia – August 1, 2015
– vs. Ryan LaFlare – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – March 21, 2015
– vs. Alexander Yakovlev – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC TUF Brazil Finale – May 31, 2014
– vs. Rory MacDonald – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 170: Rousey vs. McMann – February 22, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
7) Ben Askren (14-0, 1 NC)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: July 18, 1984
Currently Fighting With: One FC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Luis Santos – No Contest (eye poke) – ONE FC: Valor of Champions – April 27, 2015
– vs. Nobutatsu Suzuki – Win via TKO (strikes) – ONE FC: Reign of Champions – August 29, 2014
– vs. Bakhtiyar Abbasov – Win via submission (arm-triangle choke) – ONE FC: Honor and Glory – May 30, 2014
– vs. Andrey Koreshkov – Win via TKO (strikes) – Bellator 97 – July 31, 2013
– vs. Karl Amoussou – Win via TKO (doctor stoppage) – Bellator 86 – January 24, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: This will mark Askren’s final appearance in the welterweight edition of the 411 MMA Rankings. The reigning ONE FC champion has confirmed his intent to move up in weight and fight at his natural walk around weight of 185 pounds. This is after ONE FC announced their new system which will force fighters to avoid cutting significant amounts of weight to have a competitive advantage come fight night (where they compete against smaller opponents). Hopefully, such a system makes its way to the UFC sometime soon.
8) Benson “Smooth” Henderson (23-5)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: November 16, 1983
Currently Fighting With: Free Agent
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Jorge Masvidal – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – November 28, 2015
– vs. Brandon Thatch – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Thatch – February 14, 2015
– vs. Donald Cerrone – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: McGregor vs. Siver – January 18, 2015
– vs. Rafael dos Anjos – Loss via KO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. dos Anjos – August 23, 2014
– vs. Rustam Khabilov – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Khabilov – June 7, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
9) Matt “The Immortal” Brown (20-13)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: January 10, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Tim Means – Win via submission (guillotine choke) – UFC 189: Mendes vs. McGregor – July 11, 2015
– vs. Johny Hendricks – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 185 – March 14, 2015
– vs. Robbie Lawler – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox: Lawler vs. Brown – July 26, 2014
– vs. Erick Silva – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Brown vs. Silva – May 10, 2014
– vs. Mike Pyle – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Sonnen – August 17, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
10) Neil Magny (17-4)
Height: 6’3
Birthday: August 3, 1987
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Kelvin Gastelum – Win via decision (split) – UFC TUF Latin America 2 Finale – November 21, 2015
– vs. Erick Silva – Win via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night: Holloway vs. Oliveira – August 23, 2015
– vs. Demian Maia – Loss via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 190: Rousey vs. Correia – August 1, 2015
– vs. Hyun Gyu Lim – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. Faber – May 16, 2015
– vs. Kiichi Kunimoto – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC Fight Night: Henderson vs. Thatch – February 14, 2015
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
11) Jake Shields (31-8-1, 1 NC)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: January 9, 1979
Currently Fighting With: World Series of Fighting
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Rousimar Palhares – Loss via submission (Kimura) – WSOF 22: Palhares vs. Shields – August 1, 2015
– vs. Brian Foster – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – WSOF 17: Shields vs. Foster – January 17, 2015
– vs. Ryan Ford – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – WSOF 14: Ford vs. Shields – October 11, 2014
– vs. Hector Lombard – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 171: Hendricks vs. Lawler – March 15, 2014
– vs. Demian Maia – Win via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Shields – October 9, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
12) Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (12-1)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: February 11, 1983
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Jake Ellenberger – Win via KO (spinning hook kick) – UFC TUF 21 Finale – July 12, 2015
– vs. Patrick Cote – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 178: Cerrone vs. Alvarez – September 27, 2014
– vs. Robert Whittaker – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 170 – February 22, 2014
– vs. Chris Clements – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 165 – September 21, 2013
– vs. Nah-Shon Burrell – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 160 – May 25, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Johny Hendricks – UFC 196: Werdum vs. Velasquez 2 – February 6, 2016
13) “Stun Gun” Dong Hyun Kim (21-3-1, 1 NC)
Height: 6’1
Birthday: November 17, 1981
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Dominic Waters – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – November 28, 2015
– vs. Josh Burkman – Win via submission (arm triangle choke) – UFC 187: Cormier vs. Johnson – May 23, 2015
– vs. Tyron Woodley – Loss via KO (punches) – UFC Fight Night: Bisping vs. Le – August 23, 2014
– vs. John Hathaway – Win via KO (spinning back elbow) – UFC Fight Night: Kim vs. Hathaway – March 1, 2014
– vs. Erick Silva – Win via KO (punch) – UFC Fight Night: Maia vs. Shields – October 9, 2013
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
14) Kelvin Gastelum (11-2)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: October 24, 1991
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Neil Magny – Loss via decision (split) – UFC Fight Night – November 21, 2015
– vs. Nate Marquardt – Win via TKO (corner stoppage) – UFC 188: Velasquez vs. Werdum – June 13, 2015
– vs. Tyron Woodley – Loss via decision (split) – UFC 183: Silva vs. Diaz – January 31, 2015
– vs. Jake Ellenberger – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC 180: Hunt vs. Werdum – November 15, 2014
– vs. Nicholas Musoke – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Stephens – June 28, 2014
– vs. Rick Story – Win via decision (split) – UFC 171: Hendricks vs. Lawler – March 15, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Gastelum was scheduled to return at UFC 195 but a wrist injury forced him to pull out of a fight with Kyle Noke (Noke went on to lose to Alex Morono).
15) Albert Tumenov (17-2)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: December 26, 1991
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Lorenz Larkin – Win via decision (split) – UFC 195: Lawler vs. Condit – January 2, 2016
– vs. Alan Jouban – Win via TKO (head kick) – UFC 192 – October 3, 2015
– vs. Nico Musoke – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox: Gustafsson vs. Johnson – January 24, 2015
– vs. Matt Dwyer – Win via KO (head kick) – UFC Fight Night – October 4, 2014
– vs. Anthony Lapsley – Win via KO (punch) – UFC Fight Night – May 10, 2014
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unkonwn
Final Notes: No other fighter received additional votes.
