UFC 130 Results: Ranking the Top 10 Welterweights in the UFC

Well, UFC 130 is in the books, and it was about as good as we all expected. Which wasn't very good.

Brian Stann knocked out Jorge Santiago, Travis Browne knocked out Stefan Struve, and Frank Mir and Rampage Jackson each won unanimous decisions over Roy Nelson and Matt Hamill respectively.

In the lone welterweight fight on the card, one of the top welterweights in the world, Thiago Alves, took on Rick Story.

After Story beat Johny Hendricks, Story called him out, and Dana White was kind enough to oblige.

Nobody was giving Story much of a chance, but he went in, executed a perfect gameplan, and walked away with a unanimous decision, in what was easily the biggest fight of his young career.

Was it enough for him to crack into the top 10?

What about Alves? How far does he fall?

Read on to find out.

10. Matt Hughes

Last Fight: KO loss to BJ Penn at UFC 123.

Next Fight: Diego Sanchez at UFC 135

Coming in at No. 10 on the list is the former welterweight champion, Matt Hughes (45-8).

During his heyday, Hughes was one of the most dominant fighters on the planet, and he defended his welterweight belt seven times officially, nine unofficially, during his reign as champion.

Since he lost the belt the second time, he has gone 4-3, and his next fight against Diego Sanchez will be huge for his career.

A win, and maybe he's got one last run at a title left in him.

A loss and he could be on his way out the door.

9. Thiago Alves

Last Fight: Unanimous decision loss to Rick Story at UFC 130

Next Fight: -

Thiago Alves (18-8) takes a big tumble down the rankings after being handed a unanimous decision loss to Rick Story on Saturday night.

Alves has been a top welterweight for the past three years, but has gone 1-3 in his last four, and has missed weight once.

Alves' three losses have come to GSP, Jon Fitch, and now Rick Story.

After Alves missed weight for the Fitch fight, Dana White wanted him to move up to middleweight. After this loss, moving up to middleweight may not be that bad an idea for Alves.

8. Rick Story

Last Fight: Unanimous decision victory over Thiago Alves at UFC 130

Next Fight: -

With the biggest win of his career, Rick Story (13-3) makes his first appearance on the list of top 10 welterweights in the UFC.

Story was on a five-fight winning streak in the UFC, and after defeating Johny Hendricks, Story called out Alves.

Most people wouldn't think that was a smart idea, but Story came in and proved that he is a top welterweight by taking the unanimous decision victory.

Alves was a top five welterweight in the UFC, and Story defeated him handily, and was never in any danger.

Story's next fight could be against the winner of the Carlos Condit - Dong Hyun Kim fight.

7. Dong Hyun Kim

Last Fight: Unanimous decision victory over Nate Diaz at UFC 125

Next Fight: Carlos Condit at UFC 132

"The Stun Gun" Dong Hyun Kim takes the seventh spot on the list.

Kim (14-0-1 [1 NC]) looked very impressive in his last fight, when he used his judo to take down and control Nate Diaz for 15 minutes.

Kim's next fight is set to be against Carlos Condit, and if the UFC can't find another challenger for GSP, then this could decide the No. 1 contender.

If that doesn't happen, then the winner may take on Rick Story.

6. Carlos Condit

Last Fight: KO win over Dan Hardy at UFC 120

Next Fight: Dong Hyun Kim at UFC 132

The former WEC welterweight champ is next on this list, and he's been working hard to get here.

Since coming to the UFC, Condit (26-5) is 3-1, with his one loss being in his debut against Martin Kampmann. Had he won that fight, he may have had a title shot against GSP.

But alas, he didn't win, and he has been working his way back up the ladder.

With a split decision win over Jake Ellenberger, a TKO with seven seconds left over Rory MacDonald, and the KO win over Dan Hardy, Condit is well on his way to a shot at holding gold once more.

5. Josh Koscheck

Last Fight: Unanimous decision loss to Georges St-Pierre at UFC 124

Next Fight: -

Josh Koscheck (15-5) was last seen getting his eye broken at UFC 124 when he fought GSP for the welterweight title.

After spending the entire season of TUF harassing and mocking Georges, he was force fed every single word in embarrassing fashion.

Koscheck has said he will still look to climb the ladder and get another shot at the welterweight belt.

Although I wouldn't expect a third fight with GSP to go any differently than the other two.

4. BJ Penn

Last Fight: Majority draw against Jon Fitch at UFC 127

Next Fight: -

The former lightweight and welterweight champion comes in at number four on the list.

In Penn's (16-7-2) last fight, he threw Jon Fitch off his game by attempting to take him down, and after a back and forth battle, which saw Penn get absolutely destroyed in the third round, they ended up with a draw.

The two were originally supposed to have a rematch at UFC 132, but after both suffered injuries, the bout was taken off the table as they both pulled out.

It would appear that fight should be the next fight to crown a No. 1 contender, but if the timetable is off, or if one comes back before the other, it just couldn't happen.

Maybe a fight between Penn and the next man on this list could be a possibility.

3. Jake Shields

Last Fight: Unanimous decision loss to Georges St-Pierre at UFC 129

Next Fight: -

Jake Shields was probably the biggest threat to Georges St-Pierre.

A strong wrestler, great top control, deadly jiu-jitsu.

It seemed like a perfect fighter to beat GSP, but alas, Shields went down just the same way as everyone else.

Shields' next fight hasn't been announced, but after being handily defeated by GSP, maybe he'll go back up to middleweight and make a run at the title there.

If he decides to stay at welterweight, then look for the fight with Penn.

2. Jon Fitch

Last Fight: Majority draw against BJ Penn at UFC 127

Next Fight: -

Fitch had to pull out of his UFC 132 rematch against BJ Penn due to a shoulder injury, and he's going to be out for awhile.

He had to have surgery on the shoulder, and the timetable for his return doesn't match up with Penn, so who knows what's gonna happen with him.

Fitch fought GSP once already, and the picture to the left is what he looked like afterwards.

In addition to that, Dana White isn't fond of his style, so he's been getting screwed lately. Fitch is the most deserving fighter of a title shot, but he's probably not going to get it anytime soon.

There are plenty of top fighters he could fight to try and stake his case for a title shot though.

1. Georges St-Pierre

Last Fight: Unanimous decision victory over Jake Shields at UFC 129

Next Fight: -

Do I even need to explain this one?

UFC Welterweight Champion.

Unquestionable top two pound-for-pound fighter.

Six straight title defenses.

One of the most dominant fighters ever.

I've got my fingers crossed for a fight with Nick Diaz.

Thanks for reading.