The One True Gatekeeper in Each UFC Weight Class

Gatekeepers are a group of fighters who have failed to stay afloat atop their respective divisions.  They still pack serious power as top-level threats, but they no longer possess the elite pizazz that they once did.

Now while many people think being labeled a gatekeeper is a bad omen for a veteran trying to keep his or her footing on the divisional ladder, these mysterious combatants are important to the sport and organizations like the UFC.

They provide fans and fellow fighters the opportunity to see how an up-and-coming prospect fares against a well-known Octagon warrior.  They separate the weak from the worthwhile and give insight into the future of the division for matchmakers like Joe Silva.

So without further ado, with all due respect, here is the one true gatekeeper for each UFC weight class. 

Women's Bantamweight: Rosi Sexton

Rosi Sexton is not only one of the most experienced fighters in the newly established women's bantamweight division, she's also one of the meanest.

With hard-nosed striking and tactical grappling, Sexton has experienced perennial success throughout her lengthy career.

However, in a division revamped with young talent sporting undefeated records, she stands as the go-to gatekeeper for the weight class. 

Sexton's just at that point in her career where age, momentum and divisional pressure have transformed her into a veteran test dummy.

Flyweight: Ian McCall

It's sad that Ian McCall is in a division ran by Demetrious Johnson and Joseph Benavidez.  His skill set is so good compared to the rest of the division that it seems silly to put him on this list.

But when you think about his inability to capture victories inside the Octagon and his overall presence as a veteran showstopper, "Uncle Creepy" is a perfect candidate to welcome new contenders and top prospects to the bantamweight division's upper echelon.

He could still make a run at some point because he's still competing in the weakest weight class known to man, but it is more than likely McCall will continue to roll third wheel and challenge each and every fresh face the division has to offer.

Bantamweight: Scott Jorgensen

If there was ever a fighter not quite in the elite group of contenders in his division, but better equipped than the rest of its combatants, it's Scott Jorgensen.

At this point in his career Jorgensen is a huge long shot to ever regain top contention in a division getting younger and more diverse.  He just doesn't have the tools to knock off the best of the best.

With that said, Jorgensen is still better than the majority of bantamweights currently stockpiled on the UFC roster. 

As the division's gatekeeper, he plays an important role.  If young and talented fighters, like TJ Dillashaw and Bryan Caraway, can get past Jorgensen then they'll deserve the opportunity to challenge a top-five contender.

It's as simple as that.

Featherweight: Clay Guida

When Clay Guida made his move from lightweight to featherweight, only a few people truly thought he'd be a legitimate threat to knock off champion Jose Aldo.

Well, after a questionable victory over Hatsu Hioki in his divisional debut, any promise that Guida possessed upon his arrival has ultimately died down.

Now Guida still packs a punch and still has the appeal to put fans in the seats, but as a barbaric brawler turned cautious veteran, "The Carpenter" doesn't seem like himself.

For that reason, along with the depth atop the featherweight crop, the former lightweight contender stands as the division's quintessential gatekeeper.

However, if he knocks off Chad Mendes at UFC 164, then obviously all bets are off.

Lightweight: Joe Lauzon/Jim Miller

At this point in their respective careers, Joe Lauzon and Jim Miller are both stuck just outside of the lightweight division's key group of contenders.

It seems like they falter every time they have the opportunity to make a run for the title.  Now while that's ultimately a testament to their exciting and ballsy offensive games, it has hurt them in the long run.

Not to mention the additions of former Strikeforce standouts Gilbert Melendez and Josh Thomson have pushed them down the divisional ladder even further.

So even though each fighter can out-grapple and brutally finish any fighter on any given night, they still stand as the two-headed lightweight gatekeeper.

Welterweight: Josh Koscheck

The funny thing about Josh Koscheck is that he wasn't necessarily considered a gatekeeper before his last fight.  But that all changed after he was nearly put to sleep at the hands of Robbie Lawler.

Now while "Kos" isn't quite yet another example of an aging fighter battling a late-career decline, his recent performance suggests he's headed to the back of the welterweight line.

But as a former No. 1 contender who has battled the likes of Georges St-Pierre twice, Koscheck has a resume that will forever supplant him right around the division's top 10.

For some reason he's getting a shot to redeem himself opposite the red hot Demian Maia at UFC 163, but if the 35-year-old doesn't impress from the get-go, he'll never escape gatekeeper status.

Middleweight: Michael Bisping

Michael Bisping has never fought for a UFC title in his seven-year promotional career for a reason; he can't win the big fight.

The fact of the matter is that England's finest always finds a way to lose the one fight that would finally pin him against UFC middleweight champion and pound-for-pound great Anderson Silva. 

It happened against Dan Henderson back in 2009, Chael Sonnen last year and most recently Vitor Belfort back in January.

For that reason and that reason only, Bisping is, and will always be, the division's No. 1 gatekeeper. 

Light Heavyweight: Mauricio "Shogun" Rua

It may be too early to consider Mauricio "Shogun" Rua a true gatekeeper considering he's still one of the most talented fighters in the light heavyweight division.

However, when you consider the depth currently gracing the weight class and the Brazilian's recent woes opposite Alexander Gustafsson and Dan Henderson, he seems like the odd man out.

Currently ranked No. 7 in the division, Rua is at the perfect time in his career to play the role of spoiler.  He'll have his first shot when he tries to finally put an end to Chael Sonnen's legacy at UFC on FOX Sports 1 in August.

Heavyweight: Frank Mir

Frank Mir's gatekeeper status is getting so bad that the UFC is literally only using him to welcome former Strikeforce standouts to the promotion.

Now while Mir did little to change his misfortune opposite Daniel Cormier back in April, he's still a well-rounded heavyweight who possesses one of the best submission games in the sport.

But at this point in his career, amidst back-to-back defeats to more athletically and offensively potent fighters, the 34-year-old has finally started to show glimpses of an ultimate decline.

However, Mir's ability to sell a fight and his prolific history of comebacks and upsets should allow him to challenge the popular names that the UFC is trying to turn into top contenders (Josh Barnett).

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