The welterweight division in MMA is arguably the most talented and stacked division in combat sports. Over the weekend, Kamaru Usman (the No. 5-ranked welterweight coming into the fight) dismantled veteran Rafael Dos Anjos (ranked No. 3 starting the night) in a dominant five-round performance. Usman allowed Dos Anjos opportunities to make the fight competitive in the first three rounds, but the fourth and fifth "championship" rounds were a different story. Usman shut down any doubt and overpowered Dos Anjos for a unanimous decision.
Dos Anjos has had issues against wrestlers in the past. His previous loss came to Colby Covington in a five-round decision at UFC 225 in June. It was almost the inverse of the Usman fight: The first few rounds were dominated by Covington then Dos Anjos was able to make the fourth and fifth rounds more competitive as Covington lost some steam. Usman only got better and stronger in the later rounds and never gave Dos Anjos a chance to even sniff a comeback.
Let's take a deeper look at this week's new rankings and see how the 170-pound division stacks up:
Welterweight champion Tyron Woodley: The well-rounded 36-year-old champ is known for his elite wrestling skills and knockout power. The 5-foot-9 Woodley has won nine of his last 10 fights. That loss came in June 2014 by a unanimous decision to Rory McDonald, the current Bellator champ and arguably the best welterweight in MMA. In 2016, Woodley won the title by knocking out Robbie Lawler in the first round.
But his reign has come with controversy. Though he has successfully defended the belt over his past four fights, fans have complained he is boring to watch. Dana White also has been critical, pulling the plug on a potential Georges St-Pierre fight and stating, "It's easy to say a win is a win, but when you get booed out of an arena, that means people don't want to watch you fight."
While some say Woodley is a bore to watch, others compliment his versatility and how he adjusts to his opponent. Woodley can go head to head with an unorthodox kickboxer in Stephen "Wonderboy" Thompson or a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist in Demian Maia and successfully fight off their attacks while scoring points with his counter-strikes. Not many fighters have been able to figure out how to beat Thompson or Maia. Woodley's strategies were a success, but unfortunately didn't come with much excitement. In Woodley's latest victory, he was matched up against up and coming 6-footer Darren Till. Woodley showed off his versatility by making quick work of the aggressive Till by second-round submission after a brutal ground-and-pound demonstration. Woodley certainly is making a case as one of the best welterweights of all time.
Interim welterweight champ Colby Covington (ranked No. 1) and Kamaru Usman (No. 2): Covington and Usman, both wrestlers, are the two challengers that line up for Woodley. The 30-year-old Covington holds the interim belt (created when Woodley was out injured) from beating Dos Anjos. But White has said "nothing's guaranteed in life" in reference to Covington being next in line. White has expressed that he would like to see Woodley fight Usman, who matches up better as far as striking power.
Who else is on the rise in the division?
Ben Askren (NR) vs. No. 6 Robbie Lawler (No. 6): Askren is set to make his UFC debut against the former champ Lawler at UFC 233 in Anaheim, Calif., on Jan. 26. Askren, the former One Championship welterweight champ, is undefeated at 18-0 (1 NC). Askren, 34, was involved in the first ever "trade" between two promotions that sent former UFC flyweight champion Demetrious "Mighty Mouse" Johnson overseas to One Championship. The 5-foot-10 Askren, who is a high-level wrestler, will have his hands full. Lawler, 36, is known for his takedown defense, and has the slight edge in height at 5-foot-11 and a three-inch reach advantage. Lawler's fights are usually stand-up wars. The matchmakers avoided any sort of layup for Askren in his UFC debut.
Santiago Ponzinibbio (No. 7): The 32-year-old Argentinian is on a seven-fight winning streak. His most recent win came in November as he headlined in his home country, knocking out Neil Magny in the fourth round at UFC Fight Night 140. Before that, Ponzinibbio stood toe to toe with Mike Perry, one of the most violent strikers in the UFC, and won convincingly via unanimous decision. After his victory over Magny, Ponzinibbio called out Woodley, which is highly unlikely at this moment in time. The next fight that makes the most sense for Ponzinibbio would either be "Wonderboy," who lost to Till in May, or whoever between Covington and Usman doesn't get the title against Woodley. Ponzinibbio continues to make his case for a future title shot.
Mike "Platinum" Perry (NR): The 27-year-old Perry is one of the nastiest strikers in MMA. However, he has been ineffective in closing the distance properly his past few fights. His recent loss came to Donald "Cowboy" Cerrone on Nov. 10. Perry unexpectedly took Cerrone (a black belt in Jiu-Jitsu) to the ground. Within seconds, Cerrone reversed positions and tapped Perry via arm bar. Perry and New Jersey native Mickey Gall have exchanged words in recent weeks and are looking to settle the score in the cage in the near future. Gall, another specialist on the ground, would be a difficult challenge for Perry. He has floated through different camps over the past few years, but if Perry can find the right coach, you may see him quickly rise up the welterweight rankings.
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