UFC 143: How Nick Diaz and Other Top Welterweights Would Fare Against GSP

Many people say that the welterweight division has been cleaned out by Georges St. Pierre, and that the champ should already be moving up to middleweight.

I am here to say that's ridiculous and that Georges can still have his "riddum" tested by fellow top welterweights.

I'm just going to handle my disclaimers here and now.

Yes, this list will include Jon Fitch, so don't complain about that. No, this won't include Rory MacDonald; he is a future perennial top five welterweight, but for now, he hasn't beaten anyone who can be considered elite.Odds are MacDonald will be the second coming of GSP, but for now, he doesn't belong here.

Anyway, continue on and enjoy the article!

Jon Fitch

That was Jon Fitch's face last time they fought. I honestly don't foresee the fight ending the same way if they were to fight now.

"The Blanket," as some have called him, would actually be a decent matchup for St. Pierre. Fitch has the wrestling pedigree that puts him arguably in the top five in the UFC, in that aspect, and a decent enough striking game.

The problem, however, is that GSP is still a better wrestler and unequivocally the better striker, as well. I think that Georges keeps this fight standing and picks Fitch apart.

Final Verdict: St. Pierre by Unanimous Decision, 50-44

Nick Diaz

The next man in line to face the champion, Nick Diaz, is someone who many consider his most dangerous opponent yet.

I was unimpressed by his fights in the past. He has a tendency to make many mistakes, and against someone who capitalizes on mistakes better than anyone in the sport, he will falter.

The BJ Penn fight hasn't really done much to change that opinion. He clearly performed well and dominated "The Prodigy." No one can argue that. But he also beat a BJ Penn on the tail end of his career who had seemingly grown complacent; not to mention that Penn has never been all that great at welterweight.

One could try and argue his submissions will be too good for St. Pierre and that GSP will make a mistake, allowing for a triangle, or something of the like. However, St. Pierre is a student of jiu-jitsu and takes pride in his submission defense. I seriously doubt he makes the mental mistake necessary for Diaz to capitalize on.

Diaz is one of the sloppiest boxers I've seen and St. Pierre is one of the best strikers around. I honestly see this being an extremely one-sided fight overall, and it will likely end with GSP getting his first finish victory in years.

Final Verdict: St. Pierre by (T)KO, in the fourth round

Josh Koscheck

Yet another post-GSP-fight picture here. I realize they recently fought, but the last time they did so, Koscheck wasn't fighting the same.

That was when he was addicted to striking with people; he has since learned his lesson (see picture).

I remember seeing the fight and noticing that later in the fight, Josh Koscheck was getting the better of the wrestling. I honestly think that he could win in a rematch if he were to stick to a game plan of striking only to set up varied takedowns.

Clearly, if he were to try and strike with GSP the whole fight, he would fail miserably, as already evidenced. But I think that he has as good a chance as anyone.

Final Verdict: St. Pierre by Unanimous Decision, 48-47

Carlos Condit

Carlos Condit is probably the most dangerous opponent GSP will fight in the welterweight division. Jake Ellenberger can knock you the hell out with swing of fist. However, Condit can finish a fighter in so many different ways it's absurd.

His jiu-jitsu is among the best in the division, his striking is so mixed and unpredictable that it's not even fair, and he has knockout power in all of his limbs. Twenty-six of his 27 wins have been finishes, with 14 by submission, and 12 by (T)KO.

He is dangerous no matter where the fight goes, and even when you're getting the best of him, it only takes one hit to rock you. Just ask Rory MacDonald.

Really, his only weakness is his lack of wrestling skill, and that one weakness will likely be his undoing against a fighter like "Rush."

I think he will likely be able to win rounds despite that, but I don't foresee it being an easy fight for GSP, should it ever happen.

Final Verdict: Condit by Split Decision (49-46 Condit, 47-46 St. Pierre, and 47-46 Condit)

Jake Ellenberger

Jake Ellenberger is the biggest threat to Georges St. Pierre since Matt Hughes was in his prime. Hear me out, please

Ellenberger possesses everything to present a difficult matchup for St. Pierre.

He has great wrestling and a ridiculous work ethic and drive to succeed (seriously, the dude is crazy about winning). He's a stellar striker and has the most power in his hands of anyone under 185 pounds. Ant that is not to mention he's one of the biggest, strongest welterweights around.

He has shown limited weakness during his time in the UFC and has dominated as of late. He's really the perfect matchup to bring St. Pierre down.

St. Pierre would probably try to work the takedowns and use his long arms to jab his way to a unanimous decision victory, though I legitimately can't see that happening.

Final Verdict: Ellenberger by third-round knockout