After his UFC 106 victory over Anthony Johnson, Josh Koscheck proclaimed that he -- not Dan Hardy -- deserves to be the next contender to Georges St Pierre's title.As you'll see in my rankings of the Top 10 welterweights in MMA, I think Koscheck is right -- sort of. I believe Koscheck deserves to be higher-ranked than Hardy, but I also think Hardy is more deserving of a shot at St. Pierre. The reason is simple: Koscheck has already had a fight with GSP, losing to him at UFC 74. Hardy hasn't gotten his chance yet.
So because I'd like to see GSP get a new challenge, I think Hardy is a fitting No. 1 contender, even though Hardy is just below Koscheck on the list below.
Top 10 Welterweights in MMA
1. Georges St. Pierre
2. Jon Fitch
3. Thiago Alves
4. Josh Koscheck
5. Dan Hardy
6. Matt Hughes
7. Mike Swick
8. Paulo Thiago
9. Nick Diaz
10. Jay Hieron
(Note: I was disappointed I couldn't find a place on my list for Marius Zaromskis, who has the best kicks in MMA.)
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
If you look at Hughes record - Yes, he deserves to be on the list ... his only recent losses are to GSP and Alves. But, due to a less than impressive win over Serra IMO and current inactivity I don't think he should be in the top 10 anymore.
I was a little surprised to see Hieron make the list. Ben Saunders, who KOed Marcus Davis in the first round and only has one loss to Mike Swick, is probably just as deserving. Not that I think he should make the list ... just making a point.
1. Georges St. Pierre
2. Jon Fitch
3. Thiago Alves
4. Dan Hardy
5. Josh Koscheck
6. Nick Diaz
7. Mike Swick
8. Paulo Thiago
9. Marius Zaromskis
10.Paul Daley
agreed with 1-5, but 6-10 doesn't make sense. Hughes has beat no one as of late (except Serra who wasn't even a factor at WW anymore)
6. Paulo Thiago
7. Paul Daley
8. Carlos Condit
9. Marius Zaromskis
10. Nick Diaz
1. GSP
2. Nick Diaz
3. Jon Fitch
4. Thiago Alves
5. Dan Hardy
6. Mike Swick
7. Josh Koscheck
8. Marius Zaromskis
9. Jay Hieron
10. Ben Saunders
I see that you're a Diaz fan, as I am, but #2 ... seriously? He may be the 2nd best WW in the world, but he has to win the fights to prove it ... wins over Shamrock and Smith aren't proving it.
PS - I like your placement of Saunders. Check my comment about him above if you haven't seen it.
Diaz @ #2?? you must be smoking some of that good s*** with him. Put it down and check out some current events or something.
Anthony Rumble Johnson will be back. Took a bad kick to the nuts and was emotionally out of sorts as well.
GSP, awesome job , congrats on fighter of the year award, you have earned it, perfect attitude,respect,honor.
Nick Diaz should be behind Koscheck, besides that, you got it right.