Welterweight Rankings - Outside the UFC

A review and ranking of the top MMA Welterweight fighters not under contract with the UFC - October 2009

Pro Fighting Fans MMA staff writer Nick Russell takes a look at the Top 10 MMA Welterweights outside of the UFC.

1. Jake Shields (23-4-1) – Has won twelve straight dating back to December 2004 when he lost to Akira Kikuchi at Shooto event. Has stopped eight straight opponents, the last four coming by way of submission. The thirty-year-old Cesar Gracie Jiu-Jitsu fighter has never been submitted and only finished once in his decade-long career. He is moving to Middleweight, fighting Jason Miller, for the Strikeforce Title on November 7 at Strikeforce Fedor vs Rogers.
2. Nick Diaz (20-7) – The Stockton, CA bad boy has stopped all five of his opponents during his current five fight winning streak. He completely dominated Scott Smith in their June Strikeforce battle, submitting him early in the 3 rd round. The former UFC, Elite XC, and PRIDE fighter is one of the best fighters not under UFC control. Rumors are heating up stating that Diaz will travel to Japan sometime in October to fight Hayato Sakurai for DREAM then return back to Strikeforce for a November bout.
3. Jay Hieron (18-4) – Hieron has won his last six bouts and eight of his most recent nine. After a bout with Nick Diaz fell through, he defeated Jesse Taylor via decision on the August Strikeforce card. The last reigning IFL welterweight champion is a well rounded fighter who is competent on the ground and on his feet. Hieron wants to compete for the Strikeforce Welterweight Title in his next bout.
4. Marius Zaromskis (12-3) – The 29 year-old Lithuanian has won four straight bouts, knocking out three of the four opponents. Fought most of his early bouts for England’s Cage Rage promotion, but now after winning the DREAM welterweight grand prix, fights the majority of his bouts in Japan.
5. Dan Hornbuckle (19-2) – “The Handler” has won his last four in a row and 17 of 18 overall. Hornbuckle was put on the map after nearly kicking Akihiro Gono out of the ring at Sengoku 9. He followed that win up with a 2nd round TKO of Nick Thompson at Sengoku 10 in September. Hornbuckle should get a title bout if he remains with Sengoku; he also has been linked to the UFC.
6. Hayato Sakurai (35-9-2) – Although he lost in the finals of the DREAM WW Grand Prix, “Mach” has been victorious in eight out of his last ten bouts. He owns victories against Jens Pulver, Mac Danzig and Shinya Aoki. He is skilled no matter where the fight takes place, finishing 11 with TKO’s, 10 via submissions, and 14 with decisions.
7. Lyman Good (10-0) – The Tiger Schulman disciple has won all ten of his bouts, knocking out half of his opponents with his surprising power. Now fighting for the upstart Bellator FC, he also has experience fighting for the IFL and Ring of Fire. The 24 year-old New Yorker recently won the first Bellator WW Tournament Final by pounding out a 1st round TKO over Omar de la Cruz in June.
8. Jesse Taylor (13-4) – Taylor was the winner of seven consecutive bouts before losing to Jay Hieron via decision in August at his first Strikeforce bout. “JT Money” was the first TUF finalist to be removed from the show due to his behavior. The 26 year-old Team Quest fighter has been busy in 2009, fighting seven times so far. He will go again in November against Luke Rockhold at the Strikeforce Challengers event in his home state of California.
9. Joe Riggs (30-10) – Winner of his two most recent bouts and three of his last four, Riggs is looking to step up in competition. He has fought anywhere from heavyweight to his current division as a welterweight. In June, he earned a decision victory over current UFC fighter, Phil Baroni when both were fighting for Strikeforce. No exact word on when the 27 year-old Elite Performance product will be fighting next.
10. Kyle Jensen (39-10-2) – Jensen hasn’t lost since a January 2007 submission against Carlos Condit, a span that took place over ten fights (9-0-1). The 7½ year vet most recently notched a TKO victory in Pittsburgh over former UFC fighter, Rich Clementi. Jensen has 28 stoppages victories to his credit and has never been knocked out.

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By Nick Russell
ProFighting-fans.com Staff Writer

More Non-UFC MMA Fighter Rankings:

• Top Heavyweights not in the UFC
• Top Light Heavyweights not in the UFC
• Top Middleweights not in the UFC
• Top Lightweights not in the UFC

Past Non-UFC Welterweight Rankings:

• July 2009 MMA Welterweight Rankings outside the UFC