Ranking The Top 10 UFC Welterweight Fighters Of All Time

The following list will rank the top 10 Welterweight fighters in UFC history.

10. Colby Covington

Despite his polarizing persona, few can argue how great of a mixed martial artist Covington is. Using an incredible pace and volume, Colby was able to use these skills to capture an interim title. After only two defeats on his resume, there's plenty of time for Colby to make another run at the elite. His notable wins include decisions over Demian Maia, Robbie Lawler, and Rafael Dos Anjos.

9. Demian Maia

One of the greatest grapplers to ever grace the sport, Demian Maia has used his exceptional grappling abilities to secure the 2nd most submissions in UFC history and has been a staple to the top-10 in the division since his Welterweight Debut. His notable wins include a triangle-choke win against Chael Sonnen, a rear-naked choke victory over Matt Brown, a back and forth victory over Ben Askren which saw him put Askren to sleep, and a decision victory over Jorge Masvidal.

8. Johny Hendricks

Possessing a brutal left hand that would render most opponents unconscious and a wrestling base that few could handle, the stocky welterweight Hendricks would go on to have a near-upset victory over Georges St. Pierre before finally winning the vacant title against Robbie Lawler. His notable wins include knocking out Jon Fitch, winning decisions over Robbie Lawler and Carlos Condit, and outwrestling Josh Koscheck to secure a career-defining win.

7. Carlos Condit

Owning one of the highest finishing percentages in UFC and MMA history, it's no surprise to see Carlos Condit on this list of the greatest fighters to ever compete in the division. From flying knees to incredible elbow strikes, Condit has been one of the most feared strikers that the division has ever owned. His notable wins include an Interim-Title winning decision over Nick Diaz, a TKO over Thiago Alves, a KO over Martin Kampmann, a flying knee knockout over Dong Hyum Kim, and a memorable left hook counter knockout over Dan Hardy.

6. Kamaru Usman

With a high fight IQ and a powerful grappling base, Kamaru Usman has been a nightmare match-up for all of his opponents thus far in his UFC career and remains unbeaten in the octagon. He finally was rewarded the respect that he deserved with a title-winning effort over fellow-great Tyron Woodley. His notable wins include a TKO over the brash Colby Covington, the aforementioned decision over Woodley, and a dominant decision over Demian Maia.

5. Robbie Lawler

Many had written off Robbie Lawler prior to his return to the UFC after struggling in Strikeforce and other organizations, but Lawler quickly extinguished any doubt surrounding him with an incredible run towards the top of the division that culminated in a thrilling split-decision victory over Johny Hendricks that would win him the Welterweight title. His notable wins include Fight of the Year caliber title defenses over Carlos Condit and Rory MacDonald, decisions over Matt Brown and Cowboy Cerrone, and knockouts over Bobby Voelker, Josh Koscheck, and Jake Ellenberger.

4. Matt Hughes

One of the greatest champions in octagon history, Matt Hughes used a devastating mix of world-class wrestling and submission grappling to have multiple title defenses during his run at the top of the division. Notable victories during his career include a fantastic decision win against Matt Serra, a submission victory over Georges St. Pierre, a come from behind win against Frank Trigg, and a slam knockout win over Carlos Newton.

3. Nick Diaz

A veteran fighter that has competed for Strikeforce, Dream, Pride, and the UFC, Nick Diaz won fans over with his careless attitude and incredible blend of boxing and submission that favored overwhelming opponents with sheer volume instead of power. Diaz carried on of the very best winning streaks in Strikeforce into the UFC, where he continued to shine with a dominant victory over UFC great BJ Penn. Notable wins for Nick Diaz include the aforementioned decision over BJ Penn, a TKO over Paul Daley in one of the greatest one round fights of all time, a TKO over Frank Shamrock, a decision over KJ Noons, and submission wins over Takanori Gomi and Cyborg Santos.

2. Tyron Woodley

Since transitioning to the UFC, Woodley has been one of the very best welterweights in UFC history. Before his bout with Usman, Woodley held one of the very best takedown defense records that the division has seen. An unshakable calmness and a lethal right hand helped launch the former Strikeforce fighter into the history books. Notable wins include title defenses against Stephen Thompson, a decision win against Demian Maia, a title-winning knockout over Robbie Lawler, and a TKO win over Carlos Condit.

1. Georges St. Pierre

An easy choice for the #1 sport, Georges St. Pierre is one of the most well-rounded and dominant fighters in MMA history. With an incredible wrestling ability and one of the best jabs in the sports, GSP dominated the division for years without much trouble before coming out of retirement and winning the Middleweight title with a submission over Michael Bisping to solidify his place as one of the best fighters that the sport will ever witness. Notable wins include two victories of Matt Hughes, a submission over Michael Bisping, dominant decisions over Josh Koscheck, a TKO over Matt Serra, two wins over BJ Penn, and decision wins over Carlos Condit, Nick Diaz, and Johny Hendricks.