UFC welterweight rankings: Who is the best welterweight fighter?

UFC welterweight rankings: Who is the best welterweight fighter?

Lenah Ann
updated at April 12, 2023 at 8:17 PM

The Ultimate Fighting Championship, UFC, is the world's number one mixed martial arts MMA competition. Whether it is the featherweight, bantamweight, pound-for-pound, middleweight, or UFC welterweight rankings, all of these top-ranked fighters in promotion face off in a series of different weight divisions.

Ranking the UFC welterweight champions of all time
An overhead view of the Octagon with Conor McGregor and Nate Diaz facing off before their welterweight bout during the UFC 196 event on 5 March 2016, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Josh Hedges
Source: Getty Images

The UFC welterweight category has some of the most talented and famous fighters in the sport. From the legendary sensations in the days of Georges St-Pierre, the division is full of some of the promotion's most skilled stars.

UFC welterweight rankings as of 2022

Fans have been asking who the 170-pound UFC champions are, especially when ranking the UFC welterweight champions of all time. According to recent data analysis, here are the top ten 170-pound fighters in the best cage fighting sport in the world.

10. Sean Brady - 15-1

Ranking the UFC welterweight champions of all time
Sean Brady poses for a portrait after his victory during the UFC Fight Night event at TD Garden on 18th October 2019, in Boston, Massachusetts. Photo: Mike Roach
Source: Getty Images

Outside of Khamzat Chimaev, Brady could be the next great rising monster in the division. And while he may not be quite as fierce as the Russian, the Philadelphia native has indescribable grappling skills that intimidate his opponents every time.

Full name

Sean Thomas Brady

Date of birth

23 November 1992

Place of birth

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the United States of America

Age

30 years old as of November 2022

Nationality

American

Height

5 feet 9 inches or 175 centimetres

Weight

170 pounds or 77 kilograms

Win streak

15

Record

15-1

Next encounter

To be determined

9. Jorge Masvidal - 35-16-0

UFC welterweight rankings as of 2022
Jorge Masvidal prepares to fight Colby Covington in their welterweight fight during the UFC 272 event on 5 March 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Jeff Bottari
Source: Getty Images

Even though Jorge Masvidal is currently at a career crossroads, having failled to progress to the next step, it does not mean that he cannot take part in some highly entertaining fights in the near future.

Full name

Jorge Masvidal

Date of birth

12 November 1984

Place of birth

Miami, Florida, the United States of America

Age

48 years of age as of November 2022

Nationality

American

Height

5 feet 11 inches or 180 centimetres

Weight

170 pounds or 77 kilograms

Win streak

12

Record

35-16-0

Next encounter

To be determined

8. Stephen Thompson - 16-6-1

Who is the best welterweight in the world?
Stephen Thompson prepares to fight Belal Muhammad in their welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on 18 December 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Jeff Bottari
Source: Getty Images

Unfortunately, like Masvidal Jorge, Thompson's days as a title contender are seemingly done. However, he is still regarded as a skilled fighter who deserves a high-level opposition and fights that would be featured bouts on upcoming pay-per-view main cards.

Full name

Stephen Thompson

Date of birth

11 February 1983

Place of birth

Simpsonville, South Carolina, the United States of America

Age

39 years of age as of November 2022

Nationality

American

Height

6 feet or 183 centimetres

Weight

170 pounds or 77 kilograms

Win streak

5

Record

16-6-1

Next encounter

3 December 2022 (vs Kevin Holland)

7. Vicente Luque - 21-8-1

UFC welterweight rankings' history
Vicente Luque prepares to fight Geoff Neal in a welterweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at UFC APEX on 6 August 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Chris Unger
Source: Getty Images

If there is one UFC mixed martial artist who boasts an outstanding career in the sport, it sure is Vicente Lugue. Gradually, he amassed a 15-3 record and became one of the best welterweights in the world.

However, each time he happens to be on the cusp of serious title contention, he often comes up short. One outstanding example was his UFC Vegas 51 main event defeat to Belal Muhammad. But that, however, does not limit his chances of appearing in the UFC welterweight rankings' history.

Full name

Vicente Luque

Date of birth

27 November 1991

Place of birth

Westwood, New Jersey, United States of America

Age

31 years of age as of November 2022

Nationality

American-Brazilian

Height

5 feet 11 inches or 180 centimetres

Weight

170 pounds or 77 kilograms

Win streak

14

Record

21-8-1

Next encounter

To be determined

6. Gilbert Burns - 20-5

Despite his most recent loss to the rising superstar Khamzat Chimaev, Gilbert Burns remains a world-class welterweight. With a need to win at least three or more fights to return to his previous contender status, the fighter's climb back to that position could begin with an alleged match-up with former title contender Jorge Masvidal.

Full name

Gilbert Alexander Pontes Burns

Date of birth

20 July 1986

Place of birth

Niteroi, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Age

36 years of age as of November

Nationality

Brazilian

Height

5 feet 10 inches or 178 centimetres

Weight

170 pounds or 77 kilograms

Win streak

6

Record

20-5

Next encounter

To be determined

5. Khamzat Chimaev - 12-0

At the UFC 273, Khamzat Chimaev proved once and for all that he was the real deal. During his encounter with Gilbert Burns, he answered many concerns about his striking abilities, toughness, and fight IQ.

However, he opened up with new questions about his dedication, claiming he had ridiculously lost seven pounds for his UFC 279 main event against Nate Diaz.

Full name

Khamzat Khizarovich Chimaev

Date of birth

1 May 1994

Place of birth

Beno-Yurt, Chechnya, Russia

Age

28 years of age as of November 2022

Nationality

Russian

Height

6 feet 2 inches or 188 centimetres

Weight

170 pounds or 77 kilograms

Win streak

6

Record

12-0

Next encounter

To be determined

4. Colby Covington - 17-3

UFC welterweight rankings as of 2022
Colby Covington reacts after being declared winner over Jorge Masvidal in their welterweight fight during UFC 272 at T-Mobile Arena on 5 March 2022, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: David Becker
Source: Getty Images

Having beaten Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272, Covington earned revenge and retribution by solidifying his spot in the top three of the division. Consequently, he sent his former best friend to the back of the contention line. Therefore, it should not be surprising that he ranks among the top five welterweights.

Full name

Colby Ray Covington

Date of birth

22 February 1988

Place of birth

Clovis, California, the United States of America

Age

34 years of age as of November 2022

Nationality

America

Height

5 feet 11 inches or 180 centimetres

Weight

170 pounds or 77 kilograms

Win streak

1

Record

17-3

Next encounter

To be determined

3. Belal Muhammad - 22-3

Who is the best welterweight in the world?
UFC welterweight Belal Muhammad reacts after his teammate Ignacio Bahamondes' knockout victory over Roosevelt Roberts in a lightweight fight on 21 August 2021, in Las Vegas, Nevada. Photo: Chris Unger
Source: Getty Images

As of November 2022, you can no longer doubt the talents of Belal Muhammad. He has beaten Demian Maia, Stephen Thompson, and League in his last three fights. So, how can his nine-fight unbeaten streak not be worthy of a title opportunity?

Full name

Belal Muhammad

Date of birth

July 9, 1988

Place of birth

Chicago, Illinois, United States of America

Age

5 feet 10 inches or 178 centimetres

Nationality

American

Height

5 feet or 10 inches or 178 centimetres

Weight

170 pounds or 77 kilograms

Win streak

8

Record

22-3

Next encounter

To be determined

Who is the best welterweight in the world as of November 2022

As of November 2022, Leon Edwards and Kamaru Usman are regarded as the best welterweight fighters in the world. Even though both fights are to be determined, these two mixed martial fighters are known to be the faces of the sport.

2. Kamaru Usman - 20-2

UFC welterweight rankings' history
Kamaru Usman attends Marvel Studios 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' premiere at Dolby Theatre on 26 October 2022, in Hollywood, California. Photo: Amy Sussman
Source: Getty Images

A small mistake prevented Usman from tying Anderson Silva for the most title defences in UFC history. His unique struggle came during his encounter with Leon Edwards. It will be a weird moment to see Usman as a challenger for his next Octagon appearance. His next fight is highly anticipated.

Full name

Kamarudeen Usman

Date of birth

11 May 1987

Place of birth

Auchi, Nigeria

Age

35 years of age as of November 2022

Nationality

Nigerian

Height

6 feet or 183 centimetes

Weight

170 pounds or 77 kilograms

Win streak

15

Record

20-3

Next encounter

To be determined

1. Leon Edwards - 20-3

Leon Edwards is ranked the best welterweight worldwide as of November 2022. He shook up the mixed martial arts world with his last-minute knockout of the best fighter of his generation, Kamaru Usman, during the UFC 278 event.

The trilogy bout between the two is sure to come early next year and will be one of the most anticipated in the division in the history of UFC.

Full name

Leon Edwards

Date of birth

25 August 1991

Place of birth

Kingston, Jamaica

Age

31 years of age as of November 2022

Nationality

Jamaican

Height

6 feet or 183 centimetes

Weight

170 pounds or 77 kilograms

Win streak

10

Record

20-3

Next encounter

To be determined

UFC welterweight rankings as of November 2022 are pretty impressive. With all of the listed fighters being champions in their way, they both try to do their best whenever they are tackling their opponents in those octagons.

READ ALSO: UFC flyweight rankings: Who is the best flyweight fighter?

Sportsbrief.com has recently published an article about UFC flyweight rankings. Since its inception in the UFC in 2012, the flyweight division has been a frequently ignored weight class. The UFC had considered eliminating the flyweight division as recently as 2019 due to the rivalry between Deiveson Figueiredo and Brandon Moreno.

After Figueiredo's victory over Moreno in their trilogy match at UFC 270, both men have established themselves as two of the sport's all-time greats at 125 pounds. Click on the link above to find more information about the best flyweight fighters.

Authors
Lenah Ann photo
Lenah Ann
Lenah Ann is a Kenyan-based content creator with 2 years of experience. She graduated with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Media and Communication from Dedan Kimathi, Kenya in 2021.