Sherdog’s Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

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What is happening at 170 pounds? Plenty, that's what.

It used to all be so simple: Georges St. Pierre was the champ, and Jon Fitch was his perennial second banana. In just a short window of time, the welterweight division has received a major facelift.

Now, it is Carlos Condit, a fringe top-10 contender, taking the No. 2 slot as he earned a unanimous verdict over Nick Diaz, taking the UFC interim welterweight title at UFC 143. However, the recent surges of fighters such as Johny Hendricks and Jake Ellenberger have put a new look on a division that was long overdue for new, exciting contenders. Even the underrated Mike Pierce put a serious scare into perennial standout Josh Koscheck in their UFC 143 meeting.

It's not just GSP's division getting a new look, either.

Due to Anderson Silva's iron fist, fans have long wanted some new, fresh blood at 185 pounds. Well, there's a shift going on now. First, Strikeforce middleweight champion Luke Rockhold burst onto the scene. Now, former Hofsta All-American wrestler Chris Weidman has joined the youth movement, as he earned a unanimous decision over former title contender Demian Maia at the UFC on Fox 2 to signal his arrival within the middleweight ranks.

Which division is up for a facelift next? If you cast your glance to March, it just might be those fine folks at flyweight.

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