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1
- Georges St-Pierre
- "Rush"
- 26-2-0
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As MMA's all-time greatest welterweight (which is saying something because this means he has surpassed the legendary Matt Hughes), GSP has defeated a long list of tough and accomplished foes that is too long to include here, and has dropped a fight to only two fighters, both of whom were in their prime at the time and both of whom were UFC staples (Hughes and Matt Serra.) But you may want to ignore these losses today, considering he dominated both in rematches. As one half of 11 title bouts (where he is 9-2), GSP consistently improves in the ring and doesn't know what it means to settle for less. A victim of criticism stemming from his failure to finish in his last four fights, GSP's work is cut out for him as he next faces Carlos Condit, who redefines the word 'tough'.
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2
- Carlos Condit
- "The Natural Born Killer"
- 32-14-0
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The current Interim Welterweight Champion is accused by many of not wanting to defend his belt, but considering his long career and the promise of a shot when GSP is healthy, you can't blame him. Condit has never been knocked out (and has really never been hurt with strikes) and, if he hadn't dropped a split decision to "The Hitman", would be riding a 14-fight win streak. After defeating Jake Ellenberger and knocking out Rory MacDonald, Dan Hardy and Dong-Hyun Kim (all of whom had never been knocked out before), Condit capped his run with a brilliant methodical decision over the nearly unfinishable Nick Diaz, and hasn't been outstruck for a long while. Next, Condit looks to dethrone the crazily consistent St. Pierre, which he is capable of doing.
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3
- Johny Hendricks
- "Big Rig"
- 18-8-0
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With Nick Diaz's suspension and a row of impressive performances on his side, Hendricks takes a definitive number three spot among the sport's top welterweights. Hendricks lost two rounds to durable up-and-comer Rick Story but hasn't missed a beat since, knocking out TJ Waldburger and Jon Fitch with his serious hands and decisioning tough wrestler/boxers Mike Pierce and Josh Koscheck. Hendricks is expected to take on Martin Kampmann next and will have the chance to state his case as the indisputable number one contender then, which should be difficult but should also give him the opportunity to convert skeptics with a finish. With no glaring faults and tons of power and toughness, Hendricks may very well be in a title bout in 2013.
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4
- Martin Kampmann
- "Hitman"
- 21-7-0
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Kampmann's only flaw is that he tends to get hit too much -- way too much if longevity and a title shot are goals of his. Put this to the side, and one should notice the side of "The Hitman" that makes him a threat, including tremendous grappling ability and gifted striking. Following going 2-2 in decision-decided bouts against four unreasonably tough welterweights, Kampmann shocked many with comeback wins over two younger, heavy-handed veterans, Thiago Alves and Jake Ellenberger. Set to face off against Hendricks, Kampmann may have to dig deep to win, but whatever you do, don't count him out.
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5
- Jake Ellenberger
- "The Juggernaut"
- 31-15-0
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Before his surprising TKO loss to Martin Kampmann, "The Juggernaut" had only been finished once, by an armbar. Lately, though, he has been on a tear, knocking out four opponents since his split decision loss to current interim belt holder Carlos Condit and defeating Diego Sanchez and previously undefeated submission ace Carlos Eduardo Rocha. Now, Ellenberger has a great opportunity to bounce back better than ever, and as the powerful wrestler that he is, that is possible.
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6
- Jon Fitch
- 32-8-2, 1 NC
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Most recently, Fitch suffered a loss in a way that confirmed many critics' suspicions -- he can take a punch, just not a big one. It still looks as though he can have success in the Octagon for a while, though, as his method of controlling opponents has failed him only twice in his last twenty fights and is without a doubt one of the best in the sport, allowing him to take decision wins over Paulo Thiago, Mike Pierce and Thiago Alves. Although Fitch failed to deliver as expected against future hall of famer B.J. Penn, his exposition of control over such a gifted opponent in the final round of the fight proved that he still has it.
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7
- Josh Koscheck
- "Kos"
- 17-11-0
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Koscheck, at a middle-aged-for-MMA 34, continues to defy the odds, facing younger and experienced opponents who can ends fights quickly but still going 4-2 in his last 6 fights, losing only to welterweight standouts GSP and Johny Hendricks by decision. Look past this, and he's only been finished twice, by Drew Fickett and Paulo Thiago, who were both riding hefty momentum and looked to be future contenders. "Kos" has great wrestling and a great power/chin combination, and will hopefully face a worthy adversary next, just as he has been doing for years now.
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8
- Nate Marquardt
- "The Great"
- 36-20-2
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9
- Rory MacDonald
- "Red King"
- 23-10-1
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MacDonald's next fight is scheduled, and it's against B.J. Penn, who has yet to be beaten by a fighter who hasn't been considered one of the best. Beating Penn would cement MacDonald's place in the division and would surely position him favorably close to title contention. "Ares" currently stands in a very good place, training under Firas Zahabi and most recently embarrassing (an out-of-place) Nate Diaz, an experienced Mike Pyle, and a talented Che Mills. Failing to mention his fight with interim champ Condit would be a mistake, as MacDonald, despite being outstruck, controlled the first two rounds but fell seconds short of the bell after minutes of attack from Condit in the third. Showing no weaknesses, good cardio and focused aggression on a consistent basis is good for MacDonald because the division looks to be having a growth spurt.
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10
- Diego Sanchez
- "Nightmare"
- 30-14-0