UFC on Versus 3 Results: Diego Sanchez and the Top 10 Welterweights in the UFC

In the main event of UFC on Versus 3, Diego Sanchez and Martin Kampmann fought in what was also the only welterweight fight on the card. Despite its controversial nature, Sanchez's minor upset win over Kampmann shook up the 170 pound ranking a little bit.

The judges' heavily questioned decision came just days after another close finish to a welterweight main event, which saw Jon Fitch and B.J. Penn fight to a draw. As the dust finally settles in this crazy week for the weight division, it's time to take a look at what has happened with the UFC welterweight rankings. 

10. Jake Ellenberger

It remains a tight race for the tenth spot on this list, but the edge goes to Jake Ellenberger. Ellenberger is 3-1 since joining the UFC, with his only loss coming by way of split decision to Carlos Condit.

Since that loss in his UFC debut, Ellenberger has defeated Mike Pyle, John Howard and Carlos Eduardo Rocha. Ellenberger had been scheduled to have an excellent opportunity with a fight against Jon Fitch, but that fight was broken up so that Fitch could fight B.J. Penn.

9. Carlos Condit

Like Jake Ellenberger, former WEC Welterweight Champion Carlos Condit has gone 3-1 under the UFC banner. Condit's only loss also came by split decision in his UFC debut. In that fight, Condit fell just short of defeating Martin Kampmann.

Since the loss to Kampmann, Condit has defeated Ellenberger, Rory MacDonald and Dan Hardy. In the process, Condit earned one Knockout of the Night and one Fight of the Night award. Condit had been scheduled to fight Chris Lytle at UFC 127, but was forced out of the fight due to injury. 

8. Martin Kampmann

With his loss to Diego Sanchez, Martin Kampmann has now lost two straight fights by razor-thin decisions. Before Sanchez, Kampmann lost by split decision to top contender Jake Shields.

Despite the losses, Kampmann has now shown that he can hang with the best welterweights in the world. In addition to his controversial losses to Sanchez and Shields, Kampmann holds victories over Carlos Condit and Paulo Thiago.

7. Diego Sanchez

After losing to John Hathaway in his return to welterweight, few could have predicted that Diego Sanchez would find his way back into the top ten fighters in a division this quickly. However, Sanchez has now won back-to-back fights against Paulo Thiago and Martin Kampmann.

Although his latest win was controversial, Sanchez showed a lot of heart and continued pressing Kampmann to the final bell. In a previous stint at 170 pounds, Sanchez's only losses came against Josh Koscheck and Jon Fitch.

6. Josh Koscheck

Josh Koscheck paid a price for deciding to continue fighting in his title fight against Georges St. Pierre in December 2011. After taking continued damage to his already badly swollen eye, Koscheck was forced to undergo eye surgery after the fight.

Still recovering from the surgery, Koscheck's return opponent and date remains unknown.

5. Jake Shields

Although he looked less than stellar in his UFC debut against Martin Kampmann, Jake Shields earned himself a title shot with the victory. Shields chance to dethrone Georges St. Pierre will come at UFC 129 in April 2011.

According to Dana White, Shields is the only thing standing in the way of a superfight between Anderson Silva and St. Pierre.

4. Thiago Alves

Aside from a loss to Spencer Fisher in his UFC debut, the only loss of Thiago Alves' UFC career have come against Jon Fitch and Georges St. Pierre.

Meanwhile, Alves has earned wins over Chris Lytle, Matt Hughes, and Josh Koscheck. Alves' next fight will be against Rick Story at UFC 130 in May 2011.

3. B.J. Penn

Some may argue that his 1-0-1 record in his current stint as a welterweight makes B.J. Penn undeserving of a high ranking in the division. However, Penn has knocked out a former champion of the division in just 21 seconds and nearly defeated the division's clear-cut second best fighter in his last two fights. If that doesn't make a fighter deserving of being called one of the best in the division, then I don't know what does.

After the draw with Jon Fitch, Penn said that he was not sure if he would return to the Octagon. I expect Penn will be back, though, and will fight one of the best that 170 pounds has to offer. A fight with Fitch for a possibly vacant UFC Welterweight Championship is even a possibility.

2. Jon Fitch

Jon Fitch's style has made it difficult for him to earn a title shot, so any setback has to be considered devastating to him. Dana White's proclamation that he believed Fitch lost to B.J. Penn paints an even worse picture for the second best fighter in the division.

It's all speculation at this point, but Fitch could possibly fight Penn for a vacant belt if Georges St. Pierre moves to middleweight.

1. Georges St. Pierre

Having dominated the welterweight division, Georges St. Pierre may decide to move to middleweight after his next title defense, which will come against Jake Shields at UFC 129.

If St. Pierre moves to 185 pounds, it is believed that he will vacate his welterweight title. The move to middleweight could set up a superfight between St. Pierre and Anderson Silva.

UFC on Versus 3: Results, News and More

Sean Smith is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report MMA. For the latest insight and updates on everything MMA, you can follow Sean on Twitter @BR_Sean_Smith