Top MMA Welterweights

GSP is the standard-bearer for the 170 pound weight class. He’s an athletic marvel, using the best wrestling in MMA (although he never wrestled competitively) to dictate where the fight will take place. After crushing Jon Fitch and B.J. Penn in his last two fights, he will defend his UFC title against the most dangerous striker in the top 20, Thiago Alves.

Diaz has fought in multiple weight classes over the past couple years, so I’m putting him right in the middle at 170 pounds. A Cesar Gracie black belt, Diaz also uses crisp boxing to deliver beatings to his opponents. His greatest victory was a submission by gogoplata over Pride FC legend Takanori Gomi in a bout that was later ruled a No Contest due to Diaz testing positive for marijuana.

Shields, a longtime teammate of Nick Diaz, joins a bevy of strong grapplers at the top of the welterweight class. A former EliteXC welterweight champion, Shields recently defeated Former EliteXC middleweight champion Robbie Lawler via guillotine choke. Although possessing a suspect striking game, Shield’s wrestling and jiu jitsu is strong enough to overcome most competitors at 170 pounds.

Thiago Alves has recently defeated a who’s who of welterweight fighters. Wins against Matt Hughes, Josh Koscheck, and Karo Parisyan have led to a title fight in July against Georges St. Pierre (GSP). A win against GSP, or even staying competitive against a man that seems invincible, will cement Alves’ status as one of the most dangerous fighters in the welterweight class.

Jon Fitch has made the most of his time in the UFC, at one point reeling off eight straight victories, tying a record set by Royce Gracie. During that span he defeated top fighters such as Thiago Alves and Diego Sanchez en route to a title shot against Georges St. Pierre (GSP). Unfortunately for Fitch, GSP defended his title by dominating Fitch for five rounds. In his next fight, Fitch will face Paulo Thiago and attempt to avenge Thiago’s TKO victory over Fitch’s teammate, Josh Koscheck.

defeated brian foster in UFC 103 and won fight of the night and submission of the night with a submission even joe rogan has never seen before.

Defeated Brock Larson and dominated the fight. brock hit Mike probably twice in the fight.