The New Generation of UFC Gatekeepers
These are troubling times in the UFC kingdom. Who is manning the gates?
Very worthy gatekeepers past have suddenly slipped into the future, whether they moved on (Cheick Kongo and Dan Hardy), moved up (Cub Swanson, Martin Kampmann) moved down (Frank Mir, hello, Josh Koscheck) or moved to a new weight class (Scott Jorgensen, Clay Guida).
See what I'm saying? There is turmoil. But we're going to try and figure it out. This is the new(-ish) generation of UFC gatekeepers.
But before we dive in, how does one define gatekeeper? To be certain, there are different "levels." Just as your own village has a portcullis and then an inner wall of hewn stone, so, too, has the average UFC weight division. Perhaps the classic definition of a gatekeeper is the guy or gal over whom a victory is good enough to keep you in the promotion, and if not, well, not. But there's a lot more complexity at the bottom rungs of the UFC, not least of which is the fact that, these days, if a guy or gal loses to any UFC-caliber fighter, he or she tends not to stay in the UFC very long.
So instead, we're looking a little higher up the ladder. The next gate up, if you will. As such, we're defining gatekeeper as the man or woman who separates the contenders from the other people. The gatekeeper is your ticket past the velvet rope of Club Dana White Said You Were in the Mix.
So, more bouncers than gatekeepers. But I'm not here for semantics. What I really came to do is help to reset this conversation. And here you go. Because we want them on that wall. Know what I mean? We need them on that wall.
Women's Bantamweight: Liz Carmouche
1 of 9
Last two wins: Jessica Andrade, Kaitlin Young (Invicta)
Last two losses: Alexis Davis, Ronda Rousey
This was definitely the thinnest divsion in terms of this exercise.
So thin, in fact, that Carmouche is really the only option in the 20-member division. She's the only one with solid enough footing in the win column, the loss column and the UFC itself to realistically stake the claim. Congrats, Liz, on being the first of a proud line. We just made history.
Flyweight: Ian McCall
2 of 9
Last two wins: Darrell Montague (non-UFC), Iliarde Santos, Demetrious Johnson (Draw)
Last two losses: Joseph Benavidez, Demetrious Johnson
Ian McCall used to be one of the top prospects in the entire sport. But it didn't pan out, or at least it hasn't thus far.
In the meantime, it is certainly worth noting that he pulled out a draw with "Mighty Mouse." In retrospect, that's pretty noteworthy. Even so, I think McCall is the clear gatekeeper at 125.
Bantamweight: Roland Delorme
3 of 9
Last two wins: Edwin Figueroa, Nick Denis
Last two losses: Alex Caceres, Francisco Rivera (later turned to NC)
"It's got to do with believin' in yourself, Mr. Cash."
Ah, sorry. He reminded me of someone. Anyway, this nasty finisher here could not be any less assuming. But he's had some good scraps in the UFC and established himself as no one's easy out. At the same time, that Caceres loss is probably holding him back from higher-level foes.
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Featherweight: Erik Koch
4 of 9
Last two wins: Jonathan Brookins, Raphael Assuncao
Last two losses: Ricardo Lamas, Dustin Poirier
I realize this one may be imperfect, especially with that juicy Assuncao "W" on the board.
But the fact is, Koch has lost two straight to top guys and has settled near the bottom of featherweight big boards everywhere.
Plus, when you consider Assuncao was still a little green back in 2011 (and it was his UFC debut), Koch begins to emerge fairly clearly as the new guard at 145, at least until further notice.
Lightweight: Donald Cerrone
5 of 9
Last two wins: Evan Dunham, K.J. Noons
Last two losses: Rafael dos Anjos, Anthony Pettis
Donald Cerrone has been pretty well secure at his gate for quite a while. If you have what it takes to compete at the very top level, you go over Cerrone to get there. If not, he's gonna look really flashy and awesome while he beats you up.
Welterweight: Jake Ellenberger
6 of 9
Last two wins: Nate Marquardt, Jay Hieron
Last two losses: Rory MacDonald, Martin Kampmann
This one makes a lot of sense to me, especially given his most recent fight, a lackluster loss to Rory MacDonald.
When Ellenberger can impose his power, he's a load for anyone. But his inconsistent aggression nets him gatekeeper status for the time being. Jake, here's your big iron ring with the big iron novelty keys on it. Keep it in good hands.
Middleweight: Alan Belcher
7 of 9
Last two wins: Rousimar Palhares, Jason MacDonald
Last two losses: Michael Bisping, Yushin Okami
Maybe I'm biased because I'm such a Rousimar Palhares fan (or was at the time, anyway). Then again, I'm a Yushin Okami fan, too. So it all evens out.
Belcher is good enough in each phase to make any fight interesting, but at the same time, he isn't so highly developed at any one thing that he can't be beaten anywhere by a top guy. Sounds like the definition of gatekeeper to me.
Light Heavyweight: Ryan Bader
8 of 9
Last two wins: Anthony Perosh, Vladimir Matyushenko
Last two losses: Glover Teixeira, Lyoto Machida
If the stats have their day, this is the clearest gatekeeper in the promotion. After a blazing start over a bunch of cans, Bader has come back to earth in recent years for a 9-4 UFC mark, including 4-4 in his last eight. That is a pretty telling record segment.
Heavyweight: Roy Nelson
9 of 9
Last two wins: Cheick Kongo, Matt Mitrione
Last two losses: Daniel Cormier, Stipe Miocic
Let's give it up for the old graybeard of UFC gatekeepers. The one, the only, Roy Nelson.
And sometimes, the old school is the best school. Mir didn't pass go and didn't collect $200, and as such, he is not a gatekeeper so much as a fading former contender. Nelson is steadfastly ensconced where he has been for years and doesn't appear to be going anywhere. So give it up for the man. Have some respect for the office.
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