UFC 143 Results: Ranking the Top 10 Welterweights in the UFC

On Saturday night, there were potentially four top welterweights on the move in the division.

The third fight on PPV featured former title challenger Josh Koscheck facing off against the always formidable Mike Pierce, in a fight that Koscheck won by split decision.

Then, the main event featured the former WEC welterweight champion, Carlos Condit, and the former Strikeforce welterweight champion, Nick Diaz, battling for the interim UFC welterweight championship.

In a back-and-forth fight, Condit emerged the victor, and Diaz claimed he was retiring from MMA.

Assuming Diaz has truly retired, let's take a look at the state of the division.

10. Rory MacDonald

Rory MacDonald could be the future of MMA.

But for now, he's on the lower end of the top 10 welterweights in the UFC.

MacDonald is 12-1 in MMA and currently on a two-fight win streak with wins over Nate Diaz and Mike Pyle. MacDonald's lone loss was an incredibly close fight against Carlos Condit, which you can be sure he wants to avenge.

He will now fight Che Mills at UFC 145.

9. Martin Kampmann

With Nick Diaz announcing his retirement, and Carlos Condit winning the title, the bottom of the top 10 rankings gets shook up a bit.

Diaz leaving opens up a new spot on the top 10, and the fact that Kampmann has a win over Condit looks even more impressive now.

Therefore, Kampmann is the No. 9 welterweight in the UFC.

Kampmann is 18-5 with 13 finishes and wins over Rick Story, Carlos Condit and Paulo Thiago. Not a bad resume.

8. Diego Sanchez

Diego Sanchez is 2-1 in his return to the welterweight division and has won two in a row, both of which earned Fight of the Night honors.

Sanchez' last two fights have both been unanimous decision victories over Paulo Thiago and Martin Kampmann, who are both formidable fighters.

Diego will now face Jake Ellenberger at UFC on Fuel TV 1 in February.

7. Jon Fitch

It has finally happened. Jon Fitch is not the No. 2 welterweight in the world.

In Fitch's last fight, he was knocked out in just 12 seconds by Johny Hendricks. It was a huge upset and the first time that a Fitch fight has not gone the distance since 2007.

Fitch has long been looking for a title shot. Before, it was not even a question of who the No. 2 welterweight was, but now, finally, he doesn't have the top claim to a title shot.

6. Johny Hendricks

With the win at UFC 141, Johny Hendricks announced to the division that he is a threat to anyone—even Jon Fitch.

Hendricks knocked Fitch out in a mere 12 seconds and put the division on alert.

Next up for Hendricks will probably be another fight with another top guy in the division. Someone like the winner of the Jake Ellenberger-Diego Sanchez matchup would be a good fight.

5. Jake Shields

Jake Shields is currently on a two-fight losing streak, but he is still one of the best fighters in the world today.

He made his UFC debut at UFC 121, where he earned a split decision victory over Martin Kampmann and earned a shot at the welterweight title.

He lost via unanimous decision to GSP, and then he was knocked out in under a minute by Jake Ellenberger.

Therefore, he drops down from the No. 3 spot and finds himself at No. 5.

4. Jake Ellenberger

Here we have the man who knocked out Jake Shields: Jake Ellenberger.

In addition to his win over Shields, Ellenberger has also defeated Mike Pyle, John Howard and Carlos Eduardo Rocha.

Ellenberger was originally slated to fight Diego Sanchez at UFC 141, but Diego's hand injury has prevented that matchup from taking place.

Now Ellenberger will fight Sanchez at the UFC's debut on Fuel TV in February.

3. Josh Koscheck

On Saturday night, Josh Koscheck had a difficult fight against Mike Pierce, which Kos ended up winning by split decision.

It was a grinding fight, as many thought it would be, but most were surprised at Pierce's ability to hang in there with Kos.

A fight with a top contender is likely next for Koscheck.

Koscheck is always willing to step up and fight on short notice for the UFC, and you've got to respect that warrior spirit, even if you don't like the guy.

2. Carlos Condit

Carlos Condit is undoubtedly one of the best welterweights in the world. His wins over Rory MacDonald and Jake Ellenberger look more and more impressive by the day.

With his win over Nick Diaz on Saturday, he has proven that he is one of the best.

He is now the No. 2 welterweight in the world and has the interim UFC welterweight title around his waist.

It's still unclear if he'll have to defend the title or if his next fight will be against the champ.

1. Georges St-Pierre

Shocking, right?

Georges St-Pierre is the clear No. 1 welterweight in the world, and if you don't believe me, just ask his six straight title defenses.

GSP is one of the best fighters in the world, but unfortunately, he'll be out until the fall rehabbing a torn ACL.

In the meantime, Carlos Condit has the interim title, and he will be the one that guys are going after for the belt.

Tim McTiernan is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. For the latest news on everything MMA, follow me on twitter @TimMcTiernan.