Post-UFC 121: Ranking the UFC's Top 10 Welterweights

Albeit unimpressive, Jake Shields' win over Martin Kampmann at UFC 121 produced a new contender in the welterweight division.

The fact that Kampmann was able to make the win unimpressive shows why he is one of the most underrated fighters in the division.

Also at UFC 121, Diego Sanchez showed that he can still be successful fighting at welterweight with a comeback win against Paulo Thiago. Was that win enough to propel him into the division's top 10 fighters?

Let's find out.

10. Jake Ellenberger

Last Fight: Win vs. John Howard (Third round TKO)

Next Fight: TBA

There are several fighters that had to be left off this list that would be equally worthy of this spot in the rankings. However, judging by the recent performances of those fighters, Ellenberger gets the nod.

Ellenberger's win over Mike Pyle now looks much more impressive after Pyle's win over John Hathaway. Ellenberger has won six of his last seven, with his one loss being a close decision to Carlos Condit.

9. Chris Lytle

Last Fight: Win vs. Matt Serra (Unanimous decision)

Next Fight: TBA

The 36-year-old Lytle has his sights set on one last run at a title shot after an impressive win over Matt Serra at UFC 119.

With four consecutive wins, the always exciting Lytle could see a fight with a top five fighter in the division.

8. Matt Hughes

Last Fight: Win vs. Ricardo Almeida (First round submission)

Next Fight: vs. B.J. Penn @ UFC 123

After a skid that saw him lose three fights out of four, Hughes' career seemed to be nearing an end. Then Hughes rebounded to win three consecutive fights. Now, a chance for a fourth fight with Georges St. Pierre doesn't seem out of the question.

First, Hughes will have to get past B.J. Penn at UFC 123 in a rubber match. A loss in the highly anticipated fight could mean retirement consideration by Hughes.

7. Carlos Condit

Last Fight: Win vs. Dan Hardy (First round knockout)

Next Fight: TBA

After suffering a loss in a razor-thin decision to Martin Kampmann, Condit has responded with three straight victories. Most recently, Condit scored a devastating knockout of Hardy.

Condit could be looking at a rematch with Kampmann in his next fight or a fight against a top five contender.

6. Martin Kampmann

Last Fight: Loss vs. Jake Shields (Split decision)

Next Fight: TBA

At UFC 121, Martin Kampmann was given a golden opportunity to prove himself as a worthy contender by beating Shields. While he fought admirably, Kampmann didn't do enough to win in the eyes of the judges, who scored the fight in favor of Shields.

While Kampmann may need to win a few fights before he is mentioned in title considerations again, his last fight solidified him as one of the elite fighters in the welterweight division.

5. Jake Shields

Last Fight: Win vs. Martin Kampmann (Split decision)

Next Fight: TBA

It wasn't overly impressive, but Shields did enough to get the victory over Kampmann at UFC 121. That win, according to Dana White, has earned Shields the next title shot against the winner of Georges St. Pierre vs. Josh Koscheck.

We have seen White change his mind on this matter before, so don't be shocked if that happens again.

4. Thiago Alves

Last Fight: Loss vs. Jon Fitch (Unanimous decision)

Next Fight: vs. John Howard @ UFC 124

It has been more than two years since we have seen Alves win a fight, but it is hard to penalize him for that when his only two fights in that time span have been against Fitch and St. Pierre.

After some discussion on whether he should move to middleweight, Alves will remain at welterweight to take on Howard at UFC 124. Let's hope Alves makes weight this time.

3. Josh Koscheck

Last Fight: Win vs. Paul Daley (Unanimous decision)

Next Fight: vs. Georges St. Pierre @ UFC 124

As we watch Koscheck losing as a coach to St. Pierre on The Ultimate FIghter, the former NCAA wrestling champion is preparing to beat St. Pierre in the octagon.

The fight will be a rematch of a fight that St. Pierre won three years ago. If Koscheck doesn't switch up his game plan from that first fight, he can expect his coaching losses to carry over into the octagon.

2. Jon Fitch

Last Fight: Win vs. Thiago Alves (Unanimous decision)

Next Fight: TBA

It appears that Fitch is being punished for his fighting style. Despite winning five straight fights and being promised a title shot for his win over Alves, it will be Shields that receives the title shot before Fitch.

While I understand how Fitch can be considered a boring fighter, I don't understand why he is being punished for winning fights on his terms.

1. Georges St. Pierre

Last Fight: Win vs. Dan Hardy (Unanimous decision)

Next Fight: vs. Josh Koscheck @ UFC 124

With seven straight wins and an overall record of 20-2, St. Pierre is making a case to be the greatest fighter of all time. Koscheck will be the next obstacle in the way of St. Pierre achieving that distinction.

If St. Pierre is able to defeat Koscheck, a fight with Shields could be on the horizon. A win in a fight with Anderson Silva somewhere down the line could cement St. Pierre as the best ever.