UFC Rankings After UFC 103

Jessy Morris by Analyst Written on September 20, 2009
DALLAS - SEPTEMBER 19:  UFC fighter Vitor Belfort (R) battles UFC fighter Rich Franklin (L) during their Catch weight bout at UFC 103: Franklin vs. Belfort at the American Airlines Center on September 19, 2009 in Dallas, Texas.  (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images) (Photo by Jon Kopaloff/Getty Images)

After a big week of fighting action from the UFC with Ultimate Fight Night on Wednesday and UFC 103 last night, the rankings for each division has changed. Some fighters have cemented their place in the top five, others dropped out of title contention in a flash.

Let's take a look at each division's current top five challengers.

 

Lightweights

Champion: BJ Penn

1. Diego Sanchez

Since dropping down to the lightweight division, Sanchez has looked impressive. Although he wasn't able to finish Joe Stevenson and Clay Guida, he cemented himself a place as the current No. 1 contender and will fight BJ Penn for the title at UFC 107 on Dec. 12.

2. Frankie Edgar

It's safe to say that Edgar was a sleeper in the division before his dominating win over former UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk. With that win, I think it's time for him to meet the winner of Sanchez vs Penn. His fight against Pellegrino might just be to cement his place as the next challenger while BJ and Diego battle it out. 

3. Tyson Griffin

With his recent win over Hermes Franca, Tyson Griffin became the only fighter in UFC history to finish Franca in a fight. Having won seven of his nine UFC fights, Griffin has cemented his place as one of the top fighters in the division. Tyson should get another high profile fight soon and he'll be good for a title fight.

4. Gray Maynard

Gray Maynard is still undefeated in the UFC and his last win over top contender Roger Huerta may have opened the eyes of the UFC. For some reason, the UFC don't seem to give Maynard a shot, as if they're keeping him back. There is no holding him back anymore, one more fight against a top five fighter and he gets his shot.

5. Kenny Florian

Florian suffered a set-back with his loss to BJ Penn at UFC 101, but Kenny stays one of the top fighters in his division and he'll have a chance to prove that against Clay Guida. I would imagine that if Kenny can beat Clay and then defeat a fighter like Edgar or Maynard, he would get another title shot.

The thing with the lightweight division is that BJ looks unstoppable and it doesn't seem anybody can beat him at 155. Diego has the best chance and if he can't do it, chances are BJ will continue to dominate for as long as he wants.

 

Welterweights

Champion: Georges St-Pierre

1. Jon Fitch

Jon Fitch is a top contender in the division there's no doubt about that. His only loss is to current champion Georges St-Pierre and since the loss, he has dominated all opponents. Fitch also expressed interest in a rematch for the title. A win against Ricardo Almeida in his next fight would surely get him the title shot he wants.

2. Mike Swick

It's too bad Swick got injured before his fight against Kampmann at UFC 103 because I really think he would have won. Swick has dominated all opponents since dropping down to welterweight and has suffered only one loss in his 10 UFC fights. When he returns, he should get a fight against any top contender and expect him to fight GSP in the future.

3. Thiago Alves

Even in defeat, Alves put on a good show against St-Pierre at UFC 100. Alves is still very dangerous and expect him to get a couple more wins soon. With the lack of top contenders in the division, it's safe to say that Alves will most likely get another shot at the gold down the road.

4. Josh Koscheck

Koscheck suffered a couple of set-backs but his place as one of the top fighters in his division is cemented. After his dominating win over veteran Frank Trigg, Koscheck is back in the win column and closer to a title shot. He said he wanted to fight Matt Hughes next; a win there could finally get him a title shot.

5. Carlos Condit

Condit came in the UFC with a very close split decision loss to Martin Kampmann that is questionable. He's still young and has a long way to go, but as former WEC welterweight champion, Condit is getting closer to a title shot. He defeated a tough fighter in Jake Ellenberger and expect Condit to shine in the near future.

I don't know if anybody in the division is much of a threat for St-Pierre right now, but there are a couple of contenders for his title and more will come with time. I think that the top five fighters right now all have a decent shot at becoming champion with a little more time.

 

Middleweights

Champion: Anderson Silva

1. Nate Marquardt

Nate has been doing great since coming to the UFC. His only losses were to Anderson Silva and a very controversial split decision loss to Thales Leites. Other than that, he's been winning some impressive fights. His recent win over Demian Maia made him an immediate contender for Silva's gold.

2. Dan Henderson

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written on September 20, 2009 Rankings/List

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