mma / Columns
411 MMA Rankings 10.30.18: Welterweight Division – Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, More
411’s Official MMA Rankings
Welterweight Division
1) Tyron Woodley (19-3-1)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: April 17, 1982
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Darren Till – Win via submission (D’Arce choke) – UFC 228 – September 8, 2018
– vs. Demian Maia – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 214 – July 29, 2017
– vs. Stephen Thompson – Win via decision (split) – UFC 209: Woodley vs. Thompson 2 – March 4, 2017
– vs. Stephen Thompson – Draw via decision – UFC 205 – November 12, 2016
– vs. Robbie Lawler – Win via KO (punch) – UFC 201: Lawler vs. Woodley – July 30, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Woodley underwent hand surgery earlier this month to repair torn ligaments in his left hand. The injury occurred during his dominant win over Darren Till last month. Tyron told TMZ he can be back as soon as November and expects to defend the UFC championship against Colby Covington in his next fight.
2) Colby Covington (14-1)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: February 22, 1988
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Rafael dos Anjos – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 225 – June 9, 2018
– vs. Demian Maia – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – October 28, 2017
– vs. Dong Hyun Kim – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – June 17, 2017
– vs. Bryan Barberena – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox – December 17, 2016
– vs. Max Griffin – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC 202 – August 20, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: With UFC 232 already having two title fights booked for the December 29 year-end show at Madison Square Garden, it sure looks like a potential Woodley/Covington fight would have to wait until 2019.
3) Ben Askren (18-0, 1 NC)
Height: 5’10
Birthday: July 18, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Shinya Aoki – Win via TKO (strikes) – ONE Championship: Immortal Pursuit – November 24, 2017
– vs. Zebaztian Kadestam – Win via TKO (strikes) – One Championship – September 2, 2017
– vs. Agilan Thani – Win via submission (Arm-Triangle choke) – One FC – May 26, 2017
– vs. Nikolay Aleksakhin – Win via decision (unanimous) – One FC 41 – April 15, 2016
– vs. Luis Santos – No Contest (eye poke) – ONE FC: Valor of Champions – April 27, 2015
Next scheduled appearance:
– (Un)retired
Comment: The biggest news story of last week was the initial reports of the first potential “trade” in MMA history between promotions. It was officially reported Saturday, first by Ariel Helwani. We’ve seen the UFC release former flyweight champion Demetrious Johnson out of his contract while One FC released reigning welterweight champion Ben Askren out of his contract. The two will work with their new prospective promotions to agree to new contracts and switch sides.
As it specifically concerns Askren, this would be a big plus for the sport as a whole. Askren is arguably the best MMA fighter of the last five years to have never competed in the UFC. He turned 34-years-old this past summer — he was able to turn his success as an amateur wrestler (two NCAA championships and he competed at the 2008 Summer Olympics). As a professional, he’s always been outspoken, even famously getting into public arguments with UFC president Dana White which led most to assume he would never get a chance inside the octagon.
Askren turned to MMA in 2009 and debuted with Bellator in 2010, becaming their second welterweight champion within six months. He was let out of his Bellator contract in 2013 while still champion before signing with One FC. He won their welterweight title within three months and defended it successfully three times before retiring from competition. He has always maintained his desire to fight Georges St. Pierre, although the last week has seen him exchange words on Twitter with the likes of Jorge Masvidal, Nate Diaz, Nick Diaz, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Darren Till and Alan Jouban — an eclectic mix for sure.
Askren has constantly received flack for his perceived lack of striking skills. When people compare him to anyone, it’s usually Jake Shields (amazing grappler with limited hands), but I’m not sure it’s fair. Clearly, Askren is not going to brawl his way to many wins, but he has never had to. He became the first person to finish Andrey Koreshkov and Nobutatsu Suzuki by strikes. His wrestling has been dominant inside the cage and he has never been in danger of being stopped. The closest he’s come to losing was his 2011 split decision against Jay Hieron. On paper, he immediately becomes one of the top welterweights in the UFC and, if not for the fact that he and champion Tyron Woodley are teammates, an instant title contender.
4) Rory MacDonald (20-5)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: July 22, 1989
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Gegard Mousasi – Loss via TKO (strikes) – Bellator MMA – September 29, 2018
– vs. Douglas Lima – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 192 – January 20, 2018
– vs. Paul Daley – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – Bellator 179 – May 19, 2017
– vs. Stephen Thompson – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – June 18, 2016
– vs. Robbie Lawler – Loss via TKO (strikes) – UFC 189: Mendes vs. McGregor – July 11, 2015
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Jon Fitch – Bellator – TBA
Comment: MacDonald was quickly dispatched by middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi last month, and now the reigning Bellator welterweight champion will refocus on his own division. The date has not yet been booked, but he will return to fight Jon Fitch in the first round of the welterweight grand prix tournament and his championship will be on the line. If MacDonald can get past Fitch, he’ll be up against either Ed Ruth or Neiman Gracie in the semifinals.
5) Rafael dos Anjos (28-10)
Height: 5’9
Birthday: October 26, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Colby Covington – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 225 – June 9, 2018
– vs. Robbie Lawler – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox – December 16, 2017
– vs. Neil Magny – Win via submission (arm triangle choke) – UFC 215 – September 9, 2017
– vs. Tarec Saffiedine – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – June 17, 2017
– vs. Tony Ferguson – Loss via decision (unanimous) – TUF Finale – November 5, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Kamaru Usman – UFC Fight Night – November 30, 2018
6) Darren Till (17-1-1)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: December 24, 1992
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Tyron Woodley – Loss via submission (D’Arce choke) – UFC 228 – September 8, 2018
– vs. Stephen Thompson – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – May 27, 2018
– vs. Donald Cerrone – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – October 21, 2017
– vs. Bojan Velickovic – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – September 2, 2017
– vs. Jessin Ayari – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – May 28, 2017
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
7) Kamaru Usman (13-1)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: May 11, 1988
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Demian Maia – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – May 19, 2018
– vs. Emil Weber Meek – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – January 14, 2018
– vs. Sergio Moraes – Win via KO (punch) – UFC Fight Night – September 16, 2017
– vs. Sean Strickland – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 210 – April 8, 2017
– vs. Warlley Alves – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – November 19, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Rafael dos Anjos – UFC Fight Night – November 30, 2018
8) Douglas Lima (30-7)
Height: 6’1
Birthday: January 5, 1988
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Andrey Koreshkov – Win via technical submission (rear naked choke) – Bellator 206 – September 29, 2018
– vs. Rory MacDonald – Loss via decision (unanimous) – Bellator MMA – January 20, 2018
– vs. Lorenz Larkin – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 180 – June 24, 2017
– vs. Andrey Koreshkov – Win via KO (punches) – Bellator 164 – November 10, 2016
– vs. Paul Daley – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 158 – July 16, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Lima earned his 30th professional victory by choking out Andrey Koreshkov in the first round of the Bellator welterweight grand prix. He is awaiting his semifinal opponent, either Paul Daley or Michael Page.
9) Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (14-3-1)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: February 11, 1983
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Darren Till – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – May 27, 2018
– vs. Jorge Masvidal – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 217 – November 4, 2017
– vs. Tyron Woodley – Loss via decision (split) – UFC 209: Woodley vs. Thompson 2 – March 4, 2017
– vs. Tyron Woodley – Draw via decision – UFC 205 – November 12, 2016
– vs. Rory MacDonald – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – June 18, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
10) “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler (28-12, 1 NC)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: March 20, 1982
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Rafael dos Anjos – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox – December 16, 2017
– vs. Donald Cerrone – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 214 – July 29, 2017
– vs. Tyron Woodley – Loss via KO (punch) – UFC 201: Lawler vs. Woodley – July 30, 2016
– 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
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
Comment: Lawler is reportedly back in the gym training following knee injuries coming out of his fight with Rafael dos Anjos last year. There’s no official confirmation of a return date yet, but the former champion has plenty of fighters calling him out (Stephen Thompson and Darren Till among them).
11) Santiago Ponzinibbio (26-3)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: September 26, 1986
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Mike Perry – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC on Fox – December 16, 2017
– vs. Gunnar Nelson – Win via KO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – July 16, 2017
– vs. Nordine Taleb – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – February 19, 2017
– vs. Zak Cummings – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – August 6, 2016
– vs. Court McGee – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC on Fox – April 16, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– vs. Neil Magny – UFC Fight Night – November 17, 2018
12) Jorge “Gamebred” Masvidal (32-13)
Height: 5’11
Birthday: November 12, 1984
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Stephen Thompson – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 217 – November 4, 2017
– vs. Demian Maia – Loss via decision (split) – UFC 211 – May 13, 2017
– vs. Donald Cerrone – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC on Fox – January 28, 2017
– vs. Jake Ellenberger – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC TUF Finale – December 3, 2016
– vs. Ross Pearson – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC 201 – July 30, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
13) Jon Fitch (31-7-1, 1 NC)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: February 24, 1978
Currently Fighting With: Bellator MMA
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Paul Daley – Win via decision (unanimous) – Bellator 199 – May 12, 2018
– vs. Brian Foster – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – PFL – June 30, 2017
– vs. Jake Shields – Win via decision (unanimous) – WSOF 34 – December 31, 2016
– vs. Joao Zeferino – Win via decision (unanimous) – WSOF 30 – April 2, 2016
– vs. Yushin Okami – Win via decision (unanimous) WSOF 24 – October 17, 2015
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
14) Demian Maia (25-9)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: November 6, 1977
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Kamaru Usman – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – May 19, 2018
– vs. Colby Covington – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – October 28, 2017
– vs. Tyron Woodley – Loss via decision (unanimous) – UFC 214 – July 29, 2017
– vs. Jorge Masvidal – Win via decision (split) – UFC 211 – May 13, 2017
– vs. Carlos Condit – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – UFC on Fox – August 27, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
15) Leon Edwards (16-3)
Height: 6’0
Birthday: August 25, 1991
Currently Fighting With: UFC
Last 5 fights:
– vs. Donald Cerrone – Win via decision (unanimous) – UFC Fight Night – June 23, 2018
– vs. Peter Sobotta – Win via TKO (strikes) – UFC Fight Night – March 17, 2018
– vs. Bryan Barbarena – Win via decision (unanimous) – September 2, 2017
– vs. Vicente Luque – Win via decision (unanimous) – March 18, 2017
– vs. Albert Tumenov – Win via submission (rear naked choke) – October 8, 2016
Next scheduled appearance:
– Unknown
