Sherdog Official Mixed Martial Arts Rankings

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Welterweight

1. Georges St. Pierre (22-2)
It’s been a bumpy couple of months, but the world’s best 170-pounder may be more motivated now than ever. St. Pierre was knocked from his October UFC title defense against Carlos Condit with a knee injury, the validity of which was called into question by original opponent and former Strikeforce champ Nick Diaz. GSP took exception to Diaz’s remarks, and the result is a tentative Super Bowl weekend showdown between St. Pierre and Diaz, with Condit awaiting the winner.

2. Jon Fitch (23-3-1, 1 NC)
Following shoulder surgery, Fitch is ready to return to the Octagon. The perennial welterweight second banana was vocal in his desire to compete in his adopted backyard of San Jose, Calif., but will instead tangle with two-time NCAA wrestling champion Johny Hendricks in Las Vegas on Dec. 30.

3. Nick Diaz (25-7, 1 NC)
With another strong offensive showing, Diaz took a unanimous decision over B.J. Penn on Oct. 29, setting up a match with the man Diaz was originally slated to meet that night. The former Strikeforce champ has now been penciled in for a shot at UFC ace Georges St. Pierre in February.

4. Josh Koscheck (16-5)
Making a short-notice, sooner-than-expected September return against Matt Hughes, Koscheck rebounded strongly from his orbital-shattering December loss to Georges St. Pierre. Now, riding the momentum from his first-round knockout of Hughes, “Kos” will look to climb back into contendership when he faces Carlos Condit at UFC 143 on Feb. 4.

5. Jake Ellenberger (26-5)
Ellenberger blasted his way into the ranks of the 170-pound elite in September by handing Jake Shields his first knockout loss in more than 10 years. With five straight victories in the Octagon -- four by way of stoppage -- the 26-year-old Nebraskan awaits an assignment while the tangle at the top of the division plays out.

6. Jake Shields (26-6-1)
On Sept. 17, Shields was knocked out for the first time in more than 10 years by Jake Ellenberger. Now, Shields will return to Japan, where he initially broke out in the Shooto ranks almost a decade ago, as the Cesar Gracie disciple will take on Yoshihiro Akiyama at UFC 144.

7. Carlos Condit (27-5)
It was easy come, easy go in October for the “Natural Born Killer,” who was awarded a UFC title shot against Georges St. Pierre at UFC 137 and then lost it just as quickly when the champ came up injured. Condit will step back in line for the time being and will compete against perennial contender Josh Koscheck on the same February card where St. Pierre and Nick Diaz clash.

8. Johny Hendricks (11-1)
On Aug. 6, Hendricks showed off improved boxing and clinch work to earn a hard-fought split decision win over an equally tough Mike Pierce. The two-time NCAA wrestling champion will have a chance to move even higher up in the 170-pound rankings on Dec. 30 when he meets perennial contender Jon Fitch.

9. Martin Kampmann (18-5)
Following a pair of contentious decision losses to Jake Shields and Diego Sanchez, Kampmann finally got one to fall his way on Nov. 19. The Danish “Hitman” turned away aggressive up-and-comer Rick Story at UFC 139, coming on strong in the later rounds to win a well-earned decision, Kampmann’s first victory in 17 months.

10. B.J. Penn (16-8-2)
Penn had no answer for Nick Diaz’s aggressive volume-punching attack on Oct. 29 and dropped a unanimous decision to the ex-Strikeforce titleholder. Having won only one of his last five starts, “The Prodigy” suggested postfight that he may not return to the Octagon, and now decided to “take some time off to enjoy life, train and teach” before deciding on his future.

Other contenders: Ben Askren, Charlie Brenneman, Anthony Johnson, Rory MacDonald, Rick Story.

With his Nov. 19 loss to Martin Kampmann, previously eighth-ranked Rick Story falls to the contenders list.

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