We’ve now officially entered a new era in the UFC’s welterweight division.
Georges St-Pierre is no longer in the picture, which has resulted in a huge shakeup in both the welterweight and Canadian MMA rankings.
Johny Hendricks edged Robbie Lawler at UFC 171 in a five-round classic to win the vacant 170-pound title. The new champ now sits at the head of the class with a handful of viable contenders chomping at the bit to get a crack at him.
Canadian Rory MacDonald raised his stock and made a strong case that he should be next in line for a title shot following an impressive win over Demian Maia at UFC 170. Not only does MacDonald jump up to No. 3 on our welterweight rankings, but he also leapfrogged T.J. Grant, who is still sidelined with a concussion, as the top Canadian currently in MMA. GSP recently told The MMA Hour he feels MacDonald deserves the next title shot.
Tryon Woodley and Hector Lombard believe they’ve also done enough to warrant a title shot with impressive UFC 171 victories over Carlos Condit and Jake Shields, respectively.
Earlier in the month, Dong Hyun Kim picked up a highlight-reel knockout win over John Hathaway to add his name to the list of growing contenders.
In addition to fighters mentioned above, you can add names like Tarec Saffiedine, Matt Brown, Jake Ellenberger and Erick Silva to the growing list of contenders. Then you think of fighters like Thiago Alves and potentially Nick Diaz who could be back in the mix in the near future, or fast risers like Stephen Thompson, Kelvin Gastelum and Brandon Thatch, the welterweight division is as exciting as it has been in years.
You’d be silly to argue that GSP’s absence is a good thing for the UFC, but it certainly opens up more opportunities for fighters who in the past weren’t thought to have a legitimate shot at winning the title.
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Here are sportsnet.ca’s latest mixed martial arts rankings:
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. Jose Aldo
He has barely been in trouble in the UFC/WEC and has outclassed all of his opponents.
2. Cain Velasquez
Between size and skill, he is the most dangerous fighter in the UFC.
3. Jon Jones
Not invincible as some previously thought, but a still a special athlete.
4. Demetrious Johnson
Has added finishing power to his impeccable technique and speed.
5. Renan Barao
He can win a fight in any manner he wishes.
6. Chris Weidman
Proved becoming champ wasn’t a fluke.
7. Anthony Pettis
Lightweight champ is as dynamic as they come.
8. Lyoto Machida
The former 205-pound champ is close to becoming the 185-pound kingpin.
9. Vitor Belfort
Appears unstoppable in two divisions at the moment.
10. Urijah Faber
He only loses to champions and when he does it’s just by a hair.
NOTE: Georges St-Pierre has been removed after he vacated his UFC title and Dominick Cruz would be on the list, but due to his inactivity he has been left off the list.
Honourable mention: Ronaldo Souza, Anderson Silva, Chad Mendes, John Dodson, Johny Hendricks, Joseph Benavidez, Benson Henderson, Junior dos Santos
CANADIAN POUND-FOR-POUND
1. Rory MacDonald
Man on a mission after second career loss.
2. T.J. Grant
Still sidelined with a concussion.
3. Mitch Gagnon
Could move into bantamweight title picture in 2014.
4. John Makdessi
Lost baffling decision to Alan Patrick at UFC 169. He did enough to win.
5. Jordan Mein
Will return against Hernani Perpetuo on April 19.
6. Mark Bocek
Finally set to return against Evan Dunham at the TUF Nations Finale.
7. Ivan Menjivar
Coming off loss to Hatsu Hioki at TUF China Finale.
8. Sam Stout
Set for a brawl with KJ Noons at the TUF Nations Finale.
9. Nick Ring
Looked great against Caio Magalhaes until he blew out his knee.
10. Roland Delorme
Had a fight with Davey Grant in London cancelled due to a last-minute Grant injury.
Honourable mention: Yves Jabouin, Ryan Jimmo, Antonio Carvalho, Patrick Cote, Jesse Ronson, Ryan Ford, Chad Laprise
FEMALE POUND-FOR-POUND
1. Cristiane Santos
Explosive power, well-rounded offence, great defence. A scary individual.
2. Ronda Rousey
Proved against McMann that her striking can be deadly too.
3. Cat Zingano
Recovering from knee surgery and the death of her husband. Still No. 1 contender.
4. Alexis Davis
She’s 3-0 in the UFC and closing in on a title shot.
5. Sara McMann
Many believe her fight with Rousey was stopped prematurely.
6. Sarah Kaufman
Scheduled to fight Shayna Baszler at TUF Nations Finale.
7. Jessica Eye
Did well, but fell short against Davis at UFC 170.
8. Miesha Tate
Gave Rousey a tough test UFC 168; faces Carmouche next.
9. Jessica Andrade
The pint-sized Brazilian is on a roll.
10. Barb Honchak
Beat Leslie Smith at Invicta FC 7 to retain flyweight title.
Honourable mention: Michelle Waterson, Amanda Nunes, Leslie Smith, Liz Carmouche, Marloes Coenen, Jessica Aguilar, Joanne Calderwood, Claudia Gadelha, Jessica Penne
HEAVYWEIGHT
1. Cain Velasquez
Recovering from surgery; aiming for November return.
2. Junior dos Santos
Faces Stipe Miocic at UFC 173.
3. Fabricio Werdum
Meets Browne with title shot on the line in April.
4. Travis Browne
Was an absolute savage in 2013. See above.
5. Antonio Silva
Fought Mark Hunt to a draw in classic then failed drug test.
6. Stipe Miocic
Rising contender faces biggest challenge in JDS.
7. Josh Barnett
Was on the wrong side of some Browne elbows at UFC 168.
8. Alistair Overeem
Win over Mir was huge for his career.
9. Frank Mir
Has now lost four straight.
10. Gabriel Gonzaga
Broke hand early in decision loss to Miocic.
Honourable mention: Mark Hunt, Roy Nelson, Ben Rothwell, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Stefan Struve, Matt Mitrione
LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
1. Jon Jones
Headlines UFC 172 against Teixeira, who could be his toughest challenge.
2. Alexander Gustafsson
Demolished Jimi Manuwa in London March 8 to send message to Jones.
3. Glover Teixeira
Has the tools to beat Jones.
4. Rashad Evans
Suffered knee injury that will sideline him for most of 2014.
5. Daniel Cormier
Showed his potential in UFC 170 beat down of Pat Cummins.
6. Phil Davis
A win over Anthony Johnson will keep him in title picture.
7. Vitor Belfort
Middleweight contender fights in two divisions and became the first person to knock out Henderson.
8. Dan Henderson
Interesting to see how no more TRT will affect Hendo in the future.
9. Chael Sonnen
Preparing for grudge match with Wanderlei Silva.
10. Mauricio Rua
Will get another crack at Hendo.
Honourable mention: Anthony Johnson, Quinton Jackson, Antonio Rogerio Nogueira, Ryan Bader, Emanuel Newton
MIDDLEWEIGHT
1. Chris Weidman
Machida will be an interesting stylistic challenge for him.
2. Lyoto Machida
Meets Weidman for title on May 24 at UFC 173.
3. Vitor Belfort
Pulled out of UFC 173 due to new TRT standards.
4. Ronaldo Souza
Showed how dominant he can be on the ground against Francis Carmont.
5. Anderson Silva
On the road to recovery. Hopes to fight before end of 2014.
6. Luke Rockhold
Expected to fight Tim Boetsch at UFC 172.
7. Michael Bisping
Meets Kennedy at TUF Nations Finale.
8. Gegard Mousasi
Lost to Machida, but can still be contender in this division.
9. Tim Kennedy
Wants to shut Bisping up at TUF Nations Finale.
10. Yoel Romero
Coming off three straight impressive knockouts. Fights Brad Tavares next.
Honourable mention: Mark Munoz, Yushin Okami, Alan Belcher, Francis Carmont, Constantinos Philippou, Tim Boetsch
WELTERWEIGHT
1. Johny Hendricks
Won the vacant title after five-round classic against Lawler at UFC 171.
2. Robbie Lawler
Fell just short against Hendricks; some scored the fight for him.
3. Rory MacDonald
Beat Demian Maia in exciting UFC 170 tilt.
4. Tyron Woodley
Looked great against Condit.
5. Carlos Condit
Suffered torn meniscus at UFC 171
6. Hector Lombard
Tossed around Jakes Shields at UFC 171.
7. Tarec Saffiedine
Looked great in UFC debut. Meets Ellenberger at UFC 172.
8. Jake Ellenberger
See above.
9. Matt Brown
Headlines UFC Fight Night 40 in Cincinnati against Erick Silva.
10. Dong Hyun Kim
Picked up huge, highlight-reel KO win over John Hathaway.
NOTE: Georges St-Pierre was removed after he vacated his title; Nick Diaz is off the list since he is currently retired.
Honourable mention: Demian Maia, Jake Shields, Rick Story, Kelvin Gastelum, Stephen Thompson, Mike Pyle, Erick Silva, Ben Askren, Brandon Thatch
LIGHTWEIGHT
1. Anthony Pettis
Rocovering from knee injury; Melendez is next.
2. Benson Henderson
Headlines UFC Fight Night event June 7 against Rustam Khabilov.
3. Michael Chandler
Lost controversial split decision to Alvarez in Bellator 106 classic. Trilogy bout set for May 17.
4. Eddie Alvarez
See above.
5. TJ Grant
Still recovering from concussion.
6. Gilbert Melendez
Faces Pettis for title after TUF 20 gig.
7. Josh Thomson
Says he’s contemplating calling it a career after close loss to Bendo.
8. Khabib Nurmagomedov
Close to title shot; fights Rafael dos Anjos April 19.
9. Rafael dos Anjos
See above.
10. Nate Diaz
Was a man possessed in his knockout of Gray Maynard.
Honourable mention: Donald Cerrone, Michael Johnson, Jim Miller, Edson Barboza, Myles Jury, Pat Healy, Joe Lauzon
FEATHERWEIGHT
1. Jose Aldo
Was on point in win over Lamas at UFC 169.
2. Chad Mendes
Has won five straight since loss to Aldo.
3. Ricardo Lamas
Had Aldo in trouble in fifth round.
4. Chan Sung Jung
Likely to be on the shelf for most of 2014.
5. Cub Swanson
Working his way back from an elbow injury.
6. Dustin Poirier
Fights Akira Corassani on April 16. A confusing step down in competition.
7. Frankie Edgar
Coaches TUF 19 against B.J. Penn.
8. Pat Curran
Showed champion’s heart as he regained his Bellator title against Daniel Straus.
9. Nik Lentz
Meets Manny Gamburyan on May 10.
10. Dennis Bermudez
Showed continued improvement on his current six-fight win streak.
Honourable mention: Dennis Siver, Jeremy Stephens, Patricio Friere, Hacran Dias, Hatsu Hioki, Daniel Straus, Rani Yahya
BANTAMWEIGHT
1. Renan Barao
Outclassed Faber at UFC 169.
2. Urijah Faber
Lost by controversial stoppage to Barao, but is still world class.
3. Michael McDonald
Will be on sidelines for a while with hand injury.
4. Raphael Assuncao
Is 6-0 at bantamweight and deserves a title shot.
5. T.J. Dillashaw
Expected to fight Takeya Mizugaki at UFC 173.
6. Eddie Wineland
Demoted to prelims when he fights Johnny Eduardo in May.
7. Yuri Alcantara
Beat a difficult Wilson Reis at UFC Fight Night 36 in Brazil.
8. Eduardo Dantas
Submitted Anthony Leone in spectacular fashion at Bellator 111.
9. Takeya Mizugaki
A win over Dillashaw would be five straight.
10. Bibiano Fernandes
The ONE FC champ headlines event against Masakatsu Ueda May 2.
NOTE: Dominick Cruz has been removed from the list due to his inactivity.
Honourable mention: Mitch Gagnon, Vaughan Lee, Mike Easton, Ivan Menjivar, Erik Perez
FLYWEIGHT
1. Demetrious Johnson
Finished Benavidez in devastating fashion.
2. Joseph Benavidez
Now in no man’s land in two divisions.
3. John Dodson
Pulled out of bout with Scott Jorgensen.
4. Zach Makovsky
Beat Josh Sampo at UFC 170; now 2-0 in the UFC.
5. Ian McCall
Pulled out of fight with Brad Pickett due to injury.
6. John Moraga
Beat Dustin Ortiz by decision at UFC Fight Night 35.
7. Ali Bagautinov
Picked up big win over Lineker at UFC 169.
8. Justin Scoggins
Looked phenomenal in win over Will Campuzano at UFC 171.
9. Brad Pickett
Earned a confident decision win in London in his flyweight debut.
10. Darrell Montague
Faces Kyoji Horiguchi at UFC Fight Night 40.
Honourable mention: Jussier da Silva, John Lineker, Tim Elliott, Louis Gaudinot, Chris Cariaso, Dustin Ortiz, Mamoru Yamaguchi
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.