Following the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s most recent trip to Montreal, UFC 158, there was some notable movement in the welterweight division, highlighted by fantastic performances from Jordan Mein and Johny Hendricks.
Mein, in his UFC debut, became the first fighter to finish the tough, durable, highly skilled veteran Dan Miller with a thrilling first round TKO win. The 23-year-old moves up a couple spots on the Canadian pound-for-pound list, while also now being an honourable mention on the stacked welterweight list.
Cementing his spot as the No. 1 contender in the 170-pound division was Johny Hendricks, who won an impressive unanimous decision against Carlos Condit in the co-main event. With lots of power in his hands, a measured aggression and wrestling pedigree more impressive than Georges St-Pierre’s (at least on paper), many feel he could be the one to dethrone the champ.
Jake Ellenberger showed why he’s still a contender at 170 with a huge KO of former Strikeforce champ Nate Marquardt.
Also, for the first time in a long time, GSP moved down a spot in the pound-for-pound rankings. GSP was not as aggressive against Nick Diaz as many expected him to be and when he exchanged with the Stockton bad boy he took some decent shots. GSP is still the most well-rounded fighter in the sport, but his performance against Diaz was not his best.
Here is a complete look at Sportsnet.ca’s MMA rankings for the month of March…
Jump to: Pound-for-pound | Canadians | Women
Jump to: Heavyweight | Light heavyweight | Middleweight
Jump to: Welterweight | Lightweight | Featherweight
Jump to: Bantamweight | Flyweight
POUND-FOR-POUND
1. Anderson Silva
His ability to finish elite fighters is uncanny.
2. Georges St-Pierre
His performance at UFC 158 was dominant but it showed there are minor adjustments to make.
3. Jose Aldo
Almost untouchable in his division.
4. Cain Velasquez
Between size and skill, he may be overall the most dangerous fighter in the UFC.
5. Benson Henderson
He is a stylistic matchup nightmare for all lightweights.
6. Jon Jones
Has a reach that confuses opponents and a constantly improving skill set.
7. Demetrious Johnson
The fastest fighter in MMA and has skills everywhere.
8. Dominick Cruz
Injury problems have plagued him but is still one of the best.
9. Joseph Benavidez
Possibly the best fighter who’s not currently a UFC champion.
10. Junior dos Santos
Has some of the best boxing in MMA and a phenomenal chin. Can he bounce back from first UFC loss?
Honourable mention: Renan Barao, Anthony Pettis, Lyoto Machida, Urijah Faber
CANADIAN POUND-FOR-POUND
1. Georges St-Pierre
Has fought in Canada in his last four contests.
2. Rory MacDonald
Eyeing a rematch with Condit.
3. T.J. Grant
Finally getting the recognition he deserves.
4. Jordan Mein
Makes his UFC debut against Dan Miller at UFC 158.
5. Ivan Menjivar
Was outclassed and submitted by Urijah Faber at UFC 157.
6. Mark Bocek
A solid lightweight looking to get back into contention.
7. Claude Patrick
Has been injured and hasn’t fought since December 2011.
8. Ryan Jimmo
Lost an exciting decision to James Te-Huna on Feb. 16.
9. Yves Jabouin
Pulled out of a scheduled bout at UFC 158.
10. Sam Stout
Picked up a big win over Caros Fodor at UFC 157.
Honourable mention: Nick Ring, Antonio Carvalho, Mitch Gagnon, Jesse Ronson, Sean Pierson, John Makdessi
FEMALE POUND-FOR-POUND
1. Ronda Rousey
Became the first female to win a UFC fight. Will coach TUF 18 and fight winner of Tate/Zingano.
2. Sarah Kaufman
Latest addition to UFC’s women’s division. Still fights Leslie Smith at Invicta FC 5 April 5.
3. Miesha Tate
Meets Cat Zingano at TUF 17 finale.
4. Sara McMann
Is unbeaten, impressive, improving and now in the UFC.
5. Jessica Aguilar
Has won nine of ten fights.
6. Jessica Penne
Became Invicta FC atomweight champion in October.
7. Marloes Coenen
Submitted Fiona Muxlow at DREAM 18.
8. Megumi Fujii
Beat Mei Yamaguchi in December.
9. Jessica Eye
Faces Munah Holland at Bellator 95 on April 4.
10. Zoila Gurgel
Meets Jennifer Maia at Invicta FC 5 on April 5.
Honourable mention: Liz Carmouche, Cat Zingano; Alexis Davis, Tara LaRosa, Amanda Nunes, Shayna Baszler, Germaine de Randamie, Julie Kedzie, Ayaka Hamasaki
Note: Cristiane (Cyborg) Santos is not on the list due to her failed drug test and subsequent one-year suspension.
HEAVYWEIGHT
1. Cain Velasquez
Headlines UFC 160 against Antonio Silva.
2. Junior dos Santos
Faces Mark Hunt in UFC 160 co-main event.
3. Fabricio Werdum
Will coach TUF Brazil 2 against Big Nog then fight him.
4. Daniel Cormier
Faces Mir at UFC on Fox in April.
5. Antonio Silva
Earned a rematch against Velasquez with huge KO of Overeem.
6. Alistair Overeem
Pulled out of fight with JDS with injury.
7. Shane Carwin
If he ever gets healthy he’s one of the best in the division.
8. Frank Mir
Will Welcome Cormier to the UFC.
9. Roy Nelson
Meets Cheick Kongo at UFC 159.
10. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira
Not the same Big Nog as years past but will give Werdum a test.
Honourable mention: Travis Browne, Mark Hunt, Stefan Struve, Josh Barnett, Ben Rothwell, Stipe Miocic
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
1. Jon Jones
Will defend his belt against Chael Sonnen after stint as TUF 17 coach.
2. Glover Teixeira
Meets James Te-Huna at UFC 160.
3. Lyoto Machida
Edged Hendo at UFC 157 in unimpressive win.
4. Dan Henderson
Couldn’t figure out Machida. Lost a close, split decision.
5. Phil Davis
Meets Vinny Magalhaes at UFC 159.
6. Alexander Gustafsson
Very close to a title shot. Will welcome Mousasi to the UFC in April.
7. Mauricio Rua
Meets Lil Nog at UFC 161 in Winnipeg.
8. Ryan Bader
Forced out of fight with Teixeira.
9. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira
Will rematch Shogun many years after fighting in Pride.
10. Gegard Mousasi
Makes UFC debut in April in Sweden.
Honourable mention: Rashad Evans, Thiago Silva, James Te-Huna, Quinton Jackson
MIDDLEWEIGHT
1. Anderson Silva
Meets Weidman in UFC 162 main ovent.
2. Chris Weidman
GSP thinks Weidman will finish Silva.
3. Vitor Belfort
Will welcome Rockhold to UFC.
4. Michael Bisping
Meets Belcher at UFC 159.
5. Luke Rockhold
Debuts in Octagon against Belfort.
6. Ronaldo Souza
Set to fight Philippou at UFC on FX 8.
7. Yushin Okami
Was able to control Lombard for much of their fight.
8. Alan Belcher
Faces Bisping at UFC 159.
9. Hector Lombard
Didn’t fight with enough urgency against Okami.
10. Constantinos Philippou
Still improving, looks to beat “Jacare” next.
Honourable mention: Tim Boetsch, Brian Stann, Rousimar Palhares
Note: Chael Sonnen was No. 2 but has since moved up to the 205-pound division.
WELTERWEIGHT
1. Georges St-Pierre
Beat Diaz at UFC 158 in Montreal. Meets Hendricks next.
2. Johny Hendricks
No denying he’s the No. 1 contender.
3. Carlos Condit
Fought tooth-and-nail against Hendricks at UFC 158.
4. Demian Maia
Dominated Fitch at UFC 156. Becoming serious title threat.
5. Rory MacDonald
Injury forced him out of rematch with Condit.
6. Nick Diaz
Gets his chance against GSP in enemy territory.
7. Jon Fitch
Fitch got out-Fitched by Maia then got cut by the UFC.
8. Martin Kampmann
Got caught by a perfect Hendricks punch.
9. Jake Ellenberger
KO’d Nate Marquardt at UFC 154.
10. Mike Pierce
Very underrated. Coming off solid win over Seth Baczynski.
Honourable mention: Tarec Saffiedine, Ben Askren, Tyron Woodley, Dong Hyun Kim, Robbie Lawler, Thiago Alves, Erick Silva, Mike Pyle
LIGHTWEIGHT
1. Benson Henderson
Meets Melendez on April 20 on Fox.
2. Anthony Pettis
Will drop to featherweight to challenge Jose Aldo.
3. Nate Diaz
Takes on former Strikeforce champ Josh Thomson next.
4. Gilbert Melendez
Earned an immediate title shot since moving over from Strikeforce.
5. Gray Maynard
Will fight TJ Grant at UFC 160.
6. Michael Chandler
Submitted Rick Hawn at Bellator 85 in impressive fashion.
7. Donald Cerrone
Takes on fellow striker KJ Noons at UFC 160.
8. Jim Miller
Welcomes Pat Healy back to the UFC at UFC 159.
9. Eddie Alvarez
Should be in the UFC soon but in a legal battle with Bellator.
10. TJ Grant
Maynard will be his toughest test to date but he’s ready.
Honourable mention: Rafael dos Anjos, Khabib Nurmagomedov, Joe Lauzon, Jamie Varner, Evan Dunham, Gleison Tibau
FEATHERWEIGHT
1. Jose Aldo
Outclassed Edgar at UFC 156. Fights Pettis next.
2. Pat Curran
Will defend Bellator title against Shahbulat Shamhalaev.
3. Chad Mendes
Takes on the rising Darren Elkins at UFC on FOX 7.
4. Ricardo Lamas
Meets the Korean Zombie at UFC 162.
5. Chan Sung Jung
See above.
6. Cub Swanson
Continued hot streak with win over Poirier.
7. Frankie Edgar
Wants a five-round main event bout his next time out.
8. Dustin Poirier
Came up just short against Swanson at UFC on FUEL TV 7.
9. Eric Koch
Coming off first career stoppage loss.
10. Dennis Siver
Extremely dangerous at 145 pounds.
Honourable mention: Nik Lentz, Diego Nunes, Hatsu Hioki, Patricio Friere, Rani Yahya, Hacran Dias, Darren Elkins, Clay Guida
BANTAMWEIGHT
1. Dominick Cruz
His return was pushed back after a setback in his knee’s rehab.
2. Renan Barao
Submitted McDonald and defended interim belt. Faces Wineland next.
3. Urijah Faber
Headlines TUF 17 finale against Scott Jorgensen.
4. Michael McDonald
Lost to Barao but will be at or near the top of this division for a long time.
5. Brian Bowles
Only career losses to Cruz and Faber.
6. Eddie Wineland
Challenges Barao for interim title at UFC 161.
7. Brad Pickett
Expected to face Mike Easton in April.
8. Ivan Menjivar
Couldn’t upset Faber.
9. Bibiano Fernandes
Finished the year by choking Yoshiro Maeda unconscious at DREAM 18.
10. Eduardo Dantas
KO’d his teammate Marcos Galvao impressively at Bellator 89.
Honourable mention: Scott Jorgensen, Raphael Assuncao, Mike Easton, Takeya Mizugaki, Erik Perez
FLYWEIGHT
1. Demetrious Johnson
Will defend his belt against Moraga next.
2. Joseph Benavidez
Beat McCall at UFC 156 with a solid performance.
3. Ian McCall
Lost a competitive decision to Benavidez.
4. John Dodson
Nearly became UFC champ after dropping Mighty Mouse more than once.
5. John Moraga
Earned a title shot after back-to-back stoppage wins.
6. Jussier da Silva
Faces Chris Cariaso in May.
7. Darren Uyenoyama
Has possibly the most dangerous ground game in the division.
8. Darrell Montague
Only loss at flyweight was to McCall.
9. Tim Elliott
Has won nine of his last 10.
10. John Lineker
Looked great against Yasuhiro Urushitani in Macau.
Honourable mention: Chris Cariaso, Ulysses Gomez, Jose Maria Tome, Louis Gaudinot, Mamoru Yamaguchi, Rambaa Somdet, Yasuhiro Urushitani
MMA rankings are subjective, and ultimately have no real bearing on how fights should or do play out, but they inevitably get fans talking about the sport and its best fighters. Send your thoughts and arguments to@MikeyJ_MMA.
