Lets discuss our WW rankings

This should do it sir 

Mortis, how do you think Askren would fare vs. GSP? I assume you think he would Fitch Fitch?

I think Askren would be able to hold his own, but GSP would still come out on top. 

Two new fights announced.

Gastelum vs. Paulo Thiago, August 27, 2013 on UFC on Fox Sports 1
Robbie Lawler vs. Siyar Bahadurzada, July 27, 2013, UFC on Fox 8

Top Tier - GSP, Johny Hendricks, Carlos Condit, Rory MacDonald, Nick Diaz, Demian Maia, Jake Ellenberger, Jon Fitch, Josh Koscheck, Martin Kampmann, 

Mid-Tier - Dong Hyun Kim, Tarec Saffiedine, Robbie Lawler, Mike Pierce, Tyron Woodley, Rick Story, Nate Marquardt, Thiago Alves, John Hathaway, Dan Hardy, Matt Brown, Paul Daley, Brian Ebersole, Erick Silva, Siyar Bahadurzada, Ben Askren, Mike Pyle

Bottom Tier - Amir Sadollah, Paulo Thiago, TJ Waldburger, Seth Baczynski, Aaron Simpson, Mike Swick, Patrick Cote, Bobby Voelker, Court McGee, Duane Ludwig, David Mitchell, Claude Patrick, Sean Pierson, Papy Abedi, Yoshihiro Akiyama, Pascal Krauss, Benny Alloway, Lance Benoist, Nick Gatone, Chris Clements, Justin Edwards, Marcelo Guimaraes, Jay Hieron, Brock Jardine, Hyun Gyu Lim, Neil Magny, Jon Manley, Che Mills, Sergio Moraes, Josh Neer, Gunnar Nelson, Kyle Noke, Mike Ricci, Kenny Robertson, Manuel Rodriquez, Bradley, Scott, Mike Stumpf, Stephen Thompson, Simeon Thoresen, Bob Whittaker, Keith Wisniewski, Besam Yousef, Colton, Smith, Dan Miller, Jordan Mein, James Head.  BJ Penn?

Here are my 11-38 WW rankings.

11. Dong Hyum Kim
12. Tarec Saffiedine
13. Robbie Lawler
14. Mike Pierce
15. Tyron Woodley
16. Mike Pyle
17. Matt Brown
18. Thiago Alves
19. John Hathaway
20. Dan Hardy
21. Nate Marquardt
22. Erick Silva
23. Siyar Bahadurzada
24. Ben Askren
25. Paul Daley
26. Rick Story
27. Jordan Mein
28. Patrick Cote
29. Brian Ebersole
30. TJ Waldburger
31. Paulo Thiago
32. Amir Sadollah
33. Aaron Simpson
34. Mike Swick
35. Court McGee
36. Duane Ludwig
37. Matt Riddle
38. Colton Smith
39. Karo Parisyan
 
Coming WW fights:

Erick Silva vs. Jason High, June 8, UFC on Fuel 10
Ildemar Alcantara vs. Leandro Silva, June 8, UFC on Fuel 10
Jake Shields vs. Tyron Woodley, June 15, UFC 161
Sean Pierson vs. Kenny Robertson, June 15, UFC 161
Seth Baczynski vs. Brian Melancon, July 6, UFC 162
Mike Pierce vs. David Mitchell, July 6, UFC 162
Siyar Bahadurzada vs. Robbie Lawler, July 27, UFC on Fox 8
Rory MacDonald vs. Jake Ellenberger, July 27, UFC on Fox 8
Demian Maia vs. Josh Koscheck, August 3, 2013, UFC 163
Sergio Moraes vs. Neil Magny, August 3, 2013, UFC 163
Matt Brown vs.Thiago Alves, August 17, UFC on Fox Sports 1
Carlos Condit vs. Martin Kampmann, August 28, UFC on Fox Sports 1
Paulo Thiago vs. Kelvin Gastelum, August 28, UFC on Fox Sports 1
GSP vs. Johny Hendricks, not scheduled as of yet.

Presently, the following are not matched up in fights yet: Nick Diaz, Dong Kim, Patrick Cote, Brian Ebersole, Nate Marquardt, Jordan Mein, Nick Catone, James Head, Lance Benoist, Mike Pyle, Rick Story, 

Many of the above fighters are just after having fought.

Injured: Dan Hardy (physical issue), Amir Sadollah, Gunnar Nelson, John Hathaway, TJ Waldburger, Tarec Saffiedine

* Edited at 06.04.2013, 9:19 PM ET *

Interesting that they're throwing Gastelum to the dogs that quickly. Although Paulo Thiago isn't what he used to be.

New fights announced.

Carlos Condit vs. Martin Kampmann, August 28, UFC on Fox Sports 1
James Head vs. Bobby Voelker, August 28, UFC on Fox Sports 1
Court McGee vs. Robert Whittaker, August 28, UFC on Fox Sports 1
Justin Edwards vs. Brandon Thatch, August 28, UFC on Fox Sports 1
Sergio Moraes vs. Neil Magny, August 3, 2013, UFC 163
Bristol Marunde vs. Viscardi Andrade, August 3, 2013, UFC 163
William Macario vs. Leonardo Santos, June 8, 2013, UFC on Fuel TV

Top Tier - GSP, Johny Hendricks, Carlos Condit, Rory MacDonald, Nick Diaz, Demian Maia, Jake Ellenberger, Jon Fitch, Josh Koscheck, Martin Kampmann, 

Mid-Tier - Dong Hyun Kim, Tarec Saffiedine, Robbie Lawler, Mike Pierce, Tyron Woodley, Rick Story, Nate Marquardt, Thiago Alves, John Hathaway, Dan Hardy, Matt Brown, Paul Daley, Brian Ebersole, Erick Silva, Siyar Bahadurzada, Ben Askren, Mike Pyle

Bottom Tier - Amir Sadollah, Paulo Thiago, TJ Waldburger, Seth Baczynski, Aaron Simpson, Mike Swick, Patrick Cote, Bobby Voelker, Court McGee, Duane Ludwig, David Mitchell, Claude Patrick, Sean Pierson, Papy Abedi, Yoshihiro Akiyama, Pascal Krauss, Benny Alloway, Lance Benoist, Nick Gatone, Chris Clements, Justin Edwards, Marcelo Guimaraes, Jay Hieron, Brock Jardine, Hyun Gyu Lim, Neil Magny, Jon Manley, Che Mills, Sergio Moraes, Josh Neer, Gunnar Nelson, Kyle Noke, Mike Ricci, Kenny Robertson, Manuel Rodriquez, Bradley, Scott, Mike Stumpf, Stephen Thompson, Simeon Thoresen, Bob Whittaker, Keith Wisniewski, Besam Yousef, Colton, Smith, Dan Miller, Jordan Mein, James Head.  BJ Penn?

Here are my 11-38 WW rankings.

11. Dong Hyum Kim
12. Tarec Saffiedine
13. Robbie Lawler
14. Mike Pierce
15. Tyron Woodley
16. Mike Pyle
17. Matt Brown
18. Thiago Alves
19. John Hathaway
20. Dan Hardy
21. Nate Marquardt
22. Erick Silva
23. Siyar Bahadurzada
24. Ben Askren
25. Paul Daley
26. Rick Story
27. Jordan Mein
28. Patrick Cote
29. Brian Ebersole
30. TJ Waldburger
31. Paulo Thiago
32. Amir Sadollah
33. Aaron Simpson
34. Mike Swick
35. Court McGee
36. Duane Ludwig
37. Matt Riddle
38. Colton Smith
39. Karo Parisyan
 
Coming WW fights:

Erick Silva vs. Jason High, June 8, UFC on Fuel 10
Ildemar Alcantara vs. Leandro Silva, June 8, UFC on Fuel 10
William Macario vs. Leonardo Santos, June 8, 2013, UFC on Fuel 10
Jake Shields vs. Tyron Woodley, June 15, UFC 161
Sean Pierson vs. Kenny Robertson, June 15, UFC 161
Seth Baczynski vs. Brian Melancon, July 6, UFC 162
Mike Pierce vs. David Mitchell, July 6, UFC 162
Siyar Bahadurzada vs. Robbie Lawler, July 27, UFC on Fox 8
Rory MacDonald vs. Jake Ellenberger, July 27, UFC on Fox 8
Demian Maia vs. Josh Koscheck, August 3, 2013, UFC 163
Sergio Moraes vs. Neil Magny, August 3, 2013, UFC 163

Bristol Marunde vs. Viscardi Andrade, August 3, 2013, UFC 163Matt Brown vs.Thiago Alves, August 17, UFC on Fox Sports 1
Carlos Condit vs. Martin Kampmann, August 28, UFC on Fox Sports 1
Paulo Thiago vs. Kelvin Gastelum, August 28, UFC on Fox Sports 1
James Head vs. Bobby Voelker, August 28, UFC on Fox Sports 1

Court McGee vs. Robert Whittaker, August 28, UFC on Fox Sports 1
Justin Edwards vs. Brandon Thatch, August 28, UFC on Fox Sports 1GSP vs. Johny Hendricks, not scheduled as of yet.

Presently, the following are not matched up in fights yet: Nick Diaz, Dong Kim, Patrick Cote, Brian Ebersole, Nate Marquardt, Jordan Mein, Nick Catone, Lance Benoist, Mike Pyle, Rick Story, 

Many of the above fighters are just after having fought.

Injured: Dan Hardy (physical issue), Amir Sadollah, Gunnar Nelson, John Hathaway, TJ Waldburger, Tarec Saffiedine

Some revisions.  Fitch lost to Burkman, thereby dropping him out of the Top 10.  I've re-ranked him at #18.  I hope his career can survive this.  Shields beat Woodley, but many will question this.  GSP is likely scheduled to fight Hendricks in November in Las Vegas.

Top Tier - GSP, Johny Hendricks, Carlos Condit, Rory MacDonald, Nick Diaz, Demian Maia, Jake Ellenberger, Josh Koscheck, Martin Kampmann, Dong Hyun Kim.

Mid-Tier - Tarec Saffiedine, Robbie Lawler, Mike Pierce, Tyron Woodley, Rick Story, Nate Marquardt, Thiago Alves, John Hathaway, Dan Hardy, Matt Brown, Paul Daley, Brian Ebersole, Erick Silva, Siyar Bahadurzada, Ben Askren, Mike Pyle, Jon Fitch

Bottom Tier - Amir Sadollah, Paulo Thiago, TJ Waldburger, Seth Baczynski, Aaron Simpson, Mike Swick, Patrick Cote, Bobby Voelker, Court McGee, Duane Ludwig, David Mitchell, Claude Patrick, Sean Pierson, Papy Abedi, Yoshihiro Akiyama, Pascal Krauss, Benny Alloway, Lance Benoist, Nick Gatone, Chris Clements, Justin Edwards, Marcelo Guimaraes, Jay Hieron, Brock Jardine, Hyun Gyu Lim, Neil Magny, Jon Manley, Che Mills, Sergio Moraes, Josh Neer, Gunnar Nelson, Kyle Noke, Mike Ricci, Kenny Robertson, Manuel Rodriquez, Bradley, Scott, Mike Stumpf, Stephen Thompson, Simeon Thoresen, Bob Whittaker, Keith Wisniewski, Besam Yousef, Colton, Smith, Dan Miller, Jordan Mein, James Head.  BJ Penn?

Here are my 11-38 WW rankings.

11. Tarec Saffiedine
12. Robbie Lawler
13. Jake Shields
14. Mike Pierce
15. Tyron Woodley
16. Mike Pyle
17. Matt Brown
18. Jon Fitch
19. Thiago Alves
20. John Hathaway
21. Rick Story
22. Dan Hardy
23. Nate Marquardt
24. Erick Silva
25. Siyar Bahadurzada
26. Ben Askren
27. Paul Daley
28. Jordan Mein
29. Patrick Cote
30. Brian Ebersole
31. TJ Waldburger
32. Paulo Thiago
33. Amir Sadollah
34. Aaron Simpson
35. Mike Swick
36. Court McGee
37. Duane Ludwig
38. Matt Riddle
39. Colton Smith

 
Coming WW fights:

Seth Baczynski vs. Brian Melancon, July 6, UFC 162
Mike Pierce vs. David Mitchell, July 6, UFC 162
Siyar Bahadurzada vs. Robbie Lawler, July 27, UFC on Fox 8
Rory MacDonald vs. Jake Ellenberger, July 27, UFC on Fox 8
Demian Maia vs. Josh Koscheck, August 3, 2013, UFC 163
Sergio Moraes vs. Neil Magny, August 3, 2013, UFC 163
Bristol Marunde vs. Viscardi Andrade, August 3, 2013, UFC 163
Matt Brown vs.Thiago Alves, August 17, UFC on Fox Sports 1
Carlos Condit vs. Martin Kampmann, August 28, UFC on Fox Sports 1
Paulo Thiago vs. Kelvin Gastelum, August 28, UFC on Fox Sports 1
James Head vs. Bobby Voelker, August 28, UFC on Fox Sports 1
Court McGee vs. Robert Whittaker, August 28, UFC on Fox Sports 1
Justin Edwards vs. Brandon Thatch, August 28, UFC on Fox Sports 1
GSP vs. Johny Hendricks, November, 2013

Presently, the following are not matched up in fights yet: Nick Diaz, Dong Kim, Patrick Cote, Brian Ebersole, Nate Marquardt, Jordan Mein, Nick Catone, Lance Benoist, Mike Pyle, Rick Story, 

Many of the above fighters are just after having fought.

Injured: Dan Hardy (physical issue), Amir Sadollah, Gunnar Nelson, John Hathaway, TJ Waldburger, Tarec Saffiedine

More announced fights:

Pascual Krauss vs. Hyun Gyu Lim, August 31, 2012, UFC 164
Viscardi Andrade vs. Bristol Marunde, August 3, 2013, UFC 163

Top Tier - GSP, Johny Hendricks, Carlos Condit, Rory MacDonald, Nick Diaz, Demian Maia, Jake Ellenberger, Josh Koscheck, Martin Kampmann, Dong Hyun Kim.

Mid-Tier - Tarec Saffiedine, Robbie Lawler, Mike Pierce, Tyron Woodley, Rick Story, Nate Marquardt, Thiago Alves, John Hathaway, Dan Hardy, Matt Brown, Paul Daley, Brian Ebersole, Erick Silva, Siyar Bahadurzada, Ben Askren, Mike Pyle, Jon Fitch

Bottom Tier - Amir Sadollah, Paulo Thiago, TJ Waldburger, Seth Baczynski, Aaron Simpson, Mike Swick, Patrick Cote, Bobby Voelker, Court McGee, Duane Ludwig, David Mitchell, Claude Patrick, Sean Pierson, Papy Abedi, Yoshihiro Akiyama, Pascal Krauss, Benny Alloway, Lance Benoist, Nick Gatone, Chris Clements, Justin Edwards, Marcelo Guimaraes, Jay Hieron, Brock Jardine, Hyun Gyu Lim, Neil Magny, Jon Manley, Che Mills, Sergio Moraes, Josh Neer, Gunnar Nelson, Kyle Noke, Mike Ricci, Kenny Robertson, Manuel Rodriquez, Bradley, Scott, Mike Stumpf, Stephen Thompson, Simeon Thoresen, Bob Whittaker, Keith Wisniewski, Besam Yousef, Colton, Smith, Dan Miller, Jordan Mein, James Head.  BJ Penn?

Here are my 11-38 WW rankings.

11. Tarec Saffiedine
12. Robbie Lawler
13. Jake Shields
14. Mike Pierce
15. Tyron Woodley
16. Mike Pyle
17. Matt Brown
18. Jon Fitch
19. Thiago Alves
20. John Hathaway
21. Rick Story
22. Dan Hardy
23. Nate Marquardt
24. Erick Silva
25. Siyar Bahadurzada
26. Ben Askren
27. Paul Daley
28. Jordan Mein
29. Patrick Cote
30. Brian Ebersole
31. TJ Waldburger
32. Paulo Thiago
33. Amir Sadollah
34. Aaron Simpson
35. Mike Swick
36. Court McGee
37. Duane Ludwig
38. Matt Riddle
39. Colton Smith

 Coming WW fights:

Seth Baczynski vs. Brian Melancon, July 6, UFC 162
Mike Pierce vs. David Mitchell, July 6, UFC 162
Siyar Bahadurzada vs. Robbie Lawler, July 27, UFC on Fox 8
Rory MacDonald vs. Jake Ellenberger, July 27, UFC on Fox 8
Demian Maia vs. Josh Koscheck, August 3, 2013, UFC 163
Viscardi Andrade vs. Bristol Marunde, August 3, 2013, UFC 163
Sergio Moraes vs. Neil Magny, August 3, 2013, UFC 163
Bristol Marunde vs. Viscardi Andrade, August 3, 2013, UFC 163
Matt Brown vs.Thiago Alves, August 17, UFC on Fox Sports 1
Carlos Condit vs. Martin Kampmann, August 28, UFC on Fox Sports 1
Paulo Thiago vs. Kelvin Gastelum, August 28, UFC on Fox Sports 1
James Head vs. Bobby Voelker, August 28, UFC on Fox Sports 1
Court McGee vs. Robert Whittaker, August 28, UFC on Fox Sports 1
Justin Edwards vs. Brandon Thatch, August 28, UFC on Fox Sports 1
Pascual Krauss vs. Hyun Gyu Lim, August 31, 2012, UFC 164
GSP vs. Johny Hendricks, November, 2013

Presently, the following are not matched up in fights yet: Nick Diaz, Dong Kim, Patrick Cote, Brian Ebersole, Nate Marquardt, Jordan Mein, Nick Catone, Lance Benoist, Mike Pyle, Rick Story, 

Many of the above fighters are just after having fought.

Injured: Dan Hardy (physical issue), Amir Sadollah, Gunnar Nelson, John Hathaway, TJ Waldburger, Tarec Saffiedine

* Edited at 06.28.2013, 11:15 AM ET *

A couple of revisions.  

Bahadurzada got hurt and replaced by Bobby Volker against Robbie Lawler.
Thiago Silva got hurt and replaced by Mike Pyle against Matt Brown.

Zak Cummings vs. Hatsu Hioki, August 28, UFC on Fox Sports 1
Nate Marquardt vs. Hector Lombard, October 19, 2013, UFC 166 
Chris Clements vs. Stephen Thompson, September 21, 2013, UFC 165

Top Tier - GSP, Johny Hendricks, Carlos Condit, Rory MacDonald, Nick Diaz, Demian Maia, Jake Ellenberger, Josh Koscheck, Martin Kampmann, Dong Hyun Kim.

Mid-Tier - Tarec Saffiedine, Robbie Lawler, Mike Pierce, Tyron Woodley, Rick Story, Nate Marquardt, Thiago Alves, John Hathaway, Dan Hardy, Matt Brown, Paul Daley, Brian Ebersole, Erick Silva, Siyar Bahadurzada, Ben Askren, Mike Pyle, Jon Fitch, Jake Shields

Bottom Tier - Amir Sadollah, Paulo Thiago, TJ Waldburger, Seth Baczynski, Aaron Simpson, Mike Swick, Patrick Cote, Bobby Voelker, Court McGee, Duane Ludwig, David Mitchell, Claude Patrick, Sean Pierson, Papy Abedi, Yoshihiro Akiyama, Pascal Krauss, Benny Alloway, Lance Benoist, Nick Gatone, Chris Clements, Justin Edwards, Marcelo Guimaraes, Jay Hieron, Brock Jardine, Hyun Gyu Lim, Neil Magny, Jon Manley, Che Mills, Sergio Moraes, Josh Neer, Gunnar Nelson, Kyle Noke, Mike Ricci, Kenny Robertson, Manuel Rodriquez, Bradley, Scott, Mike Stumpf, Stephen Thompson, Simeon Thoresen, Bob Whittaker, Keith Wisniewski, Besam Yousef, Colton, Smith, Dan Miller, Jordan Mein, James Head.  BJ Penn?

Here are my 11-38 WW rankings.

11. Tarec Saffiedine
12. Robbie Lawler
13. Jake Shields
14. Mike Pierce
15. Tyron Woodley
16. Mike Pyle
17. Matt Brown
18. Jon Fitch
19. Thiago Alves
20. John Hathaway
21. Rick Story
22. Dan Hardy
23. Nate Marquardt
24. Erick Silva
25. Siyar Bahadurzada
26. Ben Askren
27. Paul Daley
28. Jordan Mein
29. Patrick Cote
30. Brian Ebersole
31. TJ Waldburger
32. Paulo Thiago
33. Amir Sadollah
34. Aaron Simpson
35. Mike Swick
36. Court McGee
37. Duane Ludwig
38. Matt Riddle
39. Colton Smith

 Coming WW fights:

Robbie Lawler vs. Bobby Voelker, July 27, UFC on Fox 8
Rory MacDonald vs. Jake Ellenberger, July 27, UFC on Fox 8
Demian Maia vs. Josh Koscheck, August 3, 2013, UFC 163
Viscardi Andrade vs. Bristol Marunde, August 3, 2013, UFC 163
Sergio Moraes vs. Neil Magny, August 3, 2013, UFC 163
Bristol Marunde vs. Viscardi Andrade, August 3, 2013, UFC 163
Matt Brown vs. Mike Pyle, August 17, UFC on Fox Sports 1
Carlos Condit vs. Martin Kampmann, August 28, UFC on Fox Sports 1
Paulo Thiago vs. Kelvin Gastelum, August 28, UFC on Fox Sports 1
Court McGee vs. Robert Whittaker, August 28, UFC on Fox Sports 1
Justin Edwards vs. Brandon Thatch, August 28, UFC on Fox Sports 1
Zak Cummings vs. Hatsu Hioki, August 28, UFC on Fox Sports 1
Pascual Krauss vs. Hyun Gyu Lim, August 31, 2012, UFC 164
Yuri Villefort vs. Sean Spencer, September 4, 2013,  UFC on Fox Sports 1
Chris Clements vs. Stephen Thompson, September 21, 2013, UFC 165
Nate Marquardt vs. Hector Lombard, October 19, 2013, UFC 166
GSP vs. Johny Hendricks, November 16, 2013, UFC 167

Presently, the following are not matched up in fights yet: Nick Diaz, Dong Kim, Patrick Cote, Brian Ebersole, Jordan Mein, Nick Catone, Lance Benoist, Mike Pyle, Rick Story, 

Many of the above fighters are just after having fought.

Injured: Dan Hardy (physical issue), Amir Sadollah, Gunnar Nelson, John Hathaway, TJ Waldburger, Tarec Saffiedine, Siyar Bahadurzada

* Edited at 07.12.2013, 11:02 AM ET *

Bill, remind me again of your thought process on ranking Kos so high please. Best win is Diego, Anthony Johnson, or Hughes with losses to Lawler, Alves, and the decision to Hendricks that was no more controversial than his decision win over Pierce. Hendrick's also lost a decision to Story so if you're going to rank him that high for being in a close fight with Hendricks and give him ranking boost for Hendrick's accomplishments, shouldn't Pierce & Story be rewarded also?

Actually, Mule, I'm just ready to lower Kos significantly.  I was counting on his losing to Maia, but now Kos is injured.  Which is the best thing that could have happened for him.  He was sure to lose and get dropped by everyone.

I have Kos dropping to around 15th or so.  Kos KOing a washed up Hughes had no bounce for me. 

I agree that Kos could have gotten the decision over Hendricks.  It was that close.  Similar to Kos getting the decision over Pierce, which might only be due to bigger name.  

I will no longer defend Kos.  He's due to drop.  Pierce is fighting his way up and I upgraded him not that long ago.  Story is not consistent.  Extremely talented but not stable in his results.  I will raise him if he gives me any justification.  Happily.  I'd like to bring him back to around 15th, but he needs to stabilize.

Maybe if Maia gets another opponent they'll match Kos and Story up. 

Right now I've got 6 clear WWs coming off a win that stand out: Silva, Saffiedine, Hathaway, Kim, Shields, & Pierce. I'd like to see Silva/Pierce, Saffiedine/Hathaway, and Kim/Shields.

Hope Maia gets another fight really soon. I really believe he could be champ material.

The current UFC policy of only matching losing fighters with other losing fighters, and visa versa has never really made a lot of sense to me.  I think it is silly, shallow and arbitrary.  And yet they cling to it.

Would make a little more sense to try to match people with as close a skill set as possible.  Too many reasons for winning  / losing.  Making a mistake and losing due to it doesn't change your level. 

And this current policy severely limits a lot of potential matches that would make sense.  Just another misguided policy that needs to go and it will in time.  Why not retire it now?

Well Bill, it looks like we'll get one of our personal rankings differences answered as Erick Silva is rumored to be facing Dong Hyun Kim. Interesting test for both.

it's  wonderful that Matt Brown is finally getting the respect he deserves.  from a 1-4 stretch and nearly getting cut to a 6 fight win streak with 5 knockouts and being in the top 10 that guy is a beast and my hat goes off to him. 

Got Brown at 9 now. Never thought i'd imagine him anywhere near the top ten. Not a huge fan or anything, but i think it's pretty cool.

yeah it's one of the most unexpected things ever. He really  still has that same aggression but is on just a totally different level on his skills than he was before. 

Top Tier - GSP, Johny Hendricks, Carlos Condit, Rory MacDonald, Nick Diaz, Demian Maia, Martin Kampmann, Dong Hyun Kim, Tarec Saffiedine, Jake Ellenberger.

Mid-Tier - Robbie Lawler, Matt Brown, Jake Shields, Mike Pyle, Josh Koscheck, Tyron Woodley, Mike Pierce, Jon Fitch, Thiago Alves, John Hathaway, Rick Story, Dan Hardy, Nate Marquardt, Erick Silva, Siyar Bahadurzada, Ben Askren, Paul Daley, Brian Ebersole, 

Bottom Tier - Amir Sadollah, Paulo Thiago, TJ Waldburger, Seth Baczynski, Aaron Simpson, Mike Swick, Patrick Cote, Bobby Voelker, Court McGee, Duane Ludwig, David Mitchell, Claude Patrick, Sean Pierson, Papy Abedi, Yoshihiro Akiyama, Pascal Krauss, Benny Alloway, Lance Benoist, Nick Gatone, Chris Clements, Justin Edwards, Marcelo Guimaraes, Jay Hieron, Brock Jardine, Hyun Gyu Lim, Neil Magny, Jon Manley, Che Mills, Sergio Moraes, Josh Neer, Gunnar Nelson, Kyle Noke, Mike Ricci, Kenny Robertson, Manuel Rodriquez, Bradley, Scott, Mike Stumpf, Stephen Thompson, Simeon Thoresen, Bob Whittaker, Keith Wisniewski, Besam Yousef, Colton, Smith, Dan Miller, Jordan Mein, James Head.  

Here are my 11-39 WW rankings.

11. Robbie Lawler
12. Matt Brown
13. Jake Shields
14. Mike Pyle
15. Josh Koscheck
16. Tyron Woodley
17. Mike Pierce
18. Jon Fitch
19. Thiago Alves
20. John Hathaway
21. Rick Story
22. Dan Hardy
23. Nate Marquardt
24. Erick Silva
25. Siyar Bahadurzada
26. Ben Askren
27. Paul Daley
28. Jordan Mein
29. Patrick Cote
30. Brian Ebersole
31. TJ Waldburger
32. Paulo Thiago
33. Amir Sadollah
34. Aaron Simpson
35. Mike Swick
36. Court McGee
37. Duane Ludwig
38. Matt Riddle
39. Colton Smith

Coming WW Fights:

Carlos Condit vs. Martin Kampmann, August 28, UFC Fight Night
Kelvin Gastelum vs. Brian Melancon, August 28, UFC Fight Night
Court McGee vs. Robert Whittaker, August 28, UFC Fight Night
Justin Edwards vs. Brandon Thatch, August 28, UFC Fight Night
Zak Cummings vs. Hatsu Hioki, August 28, UFC Fight Night
James Head vs. Jason High, August 28, UFC Fight Night
Pascual Krauss vs. Hyun Gyu Lim, August 31, 2012, UFC 164
Yuri Villefort vs. Sean Spencer, September 4, 2013,  UFC on Fox Sports 1
Ivan Jorge vs. Keith Wisniewski, September 4, 2013, UFC on Fox Sports 1
Chris Clements vs. Stephen Thompson, September 21, 2013, UFC 165
Demian Maia vs. Jake Shields, October 9, 2013, UFC Fight Night 29
Dong Hyun Kim vs. Erick Silva, October 9, 2013, UFC Fight Night 29
Mike Pierce vs. Rousimar Palhares, October 9, 2013, UFC Fight Night 29
Nate Marquardt vs. Hector Lombard, October 19, 2013, UFC 166
TJ Waldburger vs. Adlan Amagov, October 19, 2019, UFC 166
GSP vs. Johny Hendricks, November 16, 2013, UFC 167
Robbie Lawler vs. Rory MacDonald, unofficial & unannounced

Presently, the following are not matched up in fights yet: Nick Diaz, Patrick Cote, Brian Ebersole, Jordan Mein, Mike Pyle, Rick Story, 

Some of the above fighters are just after having fought.

Injured: Dan Hardy (physical issue), Amir Sadollah, Gunnar Nelson, John Hathaway, Tarec Saffiedine, Siyar Bahadurzada, Thiago Alves, Josh Koscheck, Paulo Thiago.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Random Notes: Both Hector Lombard and Rousimar Palhares dropping down to WW surprised me.  I wouldn't have thought they could make weight.  I'd prefer to see Robbie Lawler fight Matt Brown instead of Rory MacDonald.  I don't think Robbie has earned the #3 yet. I would rather see Rory MacDonald wait for Carlos Condit to rematch him.


Will be good to see Erick Silva fight Kim.  Other interesting fights include: Maia vs. Shields, Pierce vs. Palhares, Marquardt vs. Lombard.  GSP vs. Hendricks, obviously.

* Edited at 08.20.2013, 8:18 PM ET *

great that you're back Bill i still don't agree with your very high ranking of Dong Hyun Kim though. 

Good to see the zodiac is alive and kicking.