Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

---

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. Usman is targeting a fall return to the Octagon as he recovers from a March surgery that repaired a double hernia.

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 (14-1)

Love him or hate him, Covington is not going anywhere. The American Top Team representative claimed interim welterweight gold at UFC 225, taking a hard-earned five-round verdict over Rafael dos Anjos in the co-main event. The victory presumably set up a title unification bout against reigning 170-pound king Tyron Woodley, but Covington was stripped of the interim crown after electing to undergo sinus surgery. In a surprising turn of events, Covington accepted a fight with Robbie Lawler at UFC Newark rather than wait for reigning champion Kamaru Usman to return to full health.

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. Whether it’s enough to warrant a title shot next remains to be seen, but Masvidal is nonetheless due for another high-profile opponent in his next outing.

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. If Edwards hasn’t positioned himself for a title shot, he has already targeted a matchup with Jorge Masvidal, a man he engaged in a backstage brawl with at UFC London earlier this year.

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.

8. Robbie Lawler (28-13)

Lawler’s loss to Ben Askren comes with an asterisk, as it appeared that the former welterweight champion was not unconscious from his opponent’s choke when referee Herb Dean halted their fight at UFC 235. Prior to that, “Ruthless” nearly finished the Askren, slamming his foe following an initial takedown attempt before dropping brutal ground-and-pound. As things currently stand, Lawler has technically lost three of his last four UFC bouts but appears to still have plenty left in the tank. Lawler was slated to rematch Tyron Woodley at UFC on ESPN 3 in Minneapolis, but “Ruthless” elected not to remain on the card after his opponent withdrew due to injury. Instead, Lawler will square off against ex-interim champ Colby Covington in the UFC Newark main event on Aug. 3.

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 is expected to take place in late October.

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. Nothing is set in stone, but Bellator president Scott Coker revealed that the matchup has been targeted for October.

Other Contenders: Darren Till, Santiago Ponzinibbio, Elizeu Zaleski dos Santos, Anthony Pettis.

Continue Reading » Lightweight