| Rank | Fighter | Record | Last 3 Results | ||
| #1 | Leon Edwards | 21-3 | W-W-W | ||
| #2 | Belal Muhammad | 26-3 | W-W-W | ||
| #3 | Kamaru Usman | 20-3 | L-L-W | ||
| #4 | Khamzat Chimaev | 12-0 | W-W-W | ||
| #5 | Gilbert Burns | 22-6 | L-W-W | ||
| #6 | Shavkat Rakhmonov | 17-0 | W-W-W | ||
| #7 | Colby Covington | 17-3 | W-L-W | ||
| #8 | Stephen Thompson | 17-6-1 | W-L-L | ||
| #9 | Vicente Luque | 21-8-1 | L-L-W | ||
| #10 | Sean Brady | 15-1 | L-W-W |
The UFC welterweight rankings often include some of the most talented and popular fighters in the sport. From the legendary days of Georges St-Pierre reigning supreme as the king of Canada to the current era of “The Nigerian Nightmare,” the division is filled with some of the promotion’s most important talents.
With that in mind, here are the official Sportsnaut rankings for the top 10 170-pound fighters in the best cage fighting promotion on earth.
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10. Sean Brady (15-1)
Outside of Khamzat Chimaev, Sean Brady is the next great rising monster in the division. While he may not be quite as fearsome as the Russian, the Philadelphia native has stifling grappling skills that are an absolute handful and one of the biggest puzzles in the entire division.
However, Belal Muhammad was able to tame the young beast at UFC 280 and hand him his first loss by TKO. While it was certainly a setback, it was a major learning lesson for the fighter since it was a major step up in competition and a win-win scenario.
He will make his return at International Fight Week in a clash of elite prospects when he takes on red-hot Australian talent Jack Della MAddalena at UFC 290.
- Next fight: Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 290 on July 8
9. Vicente Luque (21-8-1)
Vicente Luque has had an outstanding career in the UFC. Quietly, he has amassed a 15-3 record and become one of the best welterweights on the planet. However, each time he is on the cusp of serious title contention he has come up short. That happened once again in his UFC Vegas 51 main event defeat to Belal Muhammad and dashed the Brazilian’s championship hopes.
He will make his return after a nearly away against fellow Brazilian and former lightweight king Rafael Dos Anjos in a Fight Night headliner in July.
- Next fight: Rafael dos Anjos on July 15
8. Stephen Thompson (17-6-1)
Stephen Thompson’s days as a serious title contender are done. However, he is still a skilled fighter deserving of high-level opposition and fights that would be featured bouts on future pay-per-view main cards. Or in the case of UFC Orlando, the main event of a Fight Night card.
In December, “Wonderboy” showed that even at 39 he is still one of the most talented fighters in the division and an absolute handful on the feet. In his win over the always-tough Kevin Holland, Thompson displayed he is also just as tough as he is technically gifted.
In July he is set to make his return to action against Michel Pereira in what should be a fun and wild clash of two talented strikers with very different approaches.
- Next fight: vs. Michel Pereira at UFC 291 on July 29
7. Colby Covington (17-3)
In beating Jorge Masvidal at UFC 272, Colby Covington earned revenge and vindication. He solidified his spot in the top three of the division and sent his former bestie to the back of the contention line forever. The question now is, does he want to face the best of the rest at welterweight and stay in the title picture, or use his popularity to make the most money he can now?
With him being out for the last year, he has been dropping on this list and could continue to fall in the UFC welterweight rankings until he books his next bout. The former interim champion was an alternate for the title fight at UFC 286, and all indications are he could be next for reigning champion Leon Edwards.
- Next fight: TBD
6. Shavkat Rakhmonov (17-0)
If you weren’t a believer in Shavkat Rakhmonov as a legitimate top 10 welterweight before UFC 285, then those questions were likely dispelled after his submission victory over Geoff Neal at the event. The win moved “Nomad” to 17-0 overall with finishes in every fight (eight knockouts, nine submissions).
The 28-year-old also showed his inner fortitude and that he will not back away from elite-level resistance. A matchup in a possible title eliminator fight could be next for the native of Kazakhstan.
- Next fight: TBD
5. Gilbert Burns (22-6)
Despite his loss to rising superstar Khamzat Chimaev, Gilbert Burns remained a world-class welterweight. With a need to win at least two fights to return to contender status, the Brazilian’s climb back to a title fight began again with a Jan. win against top-15 Neil Magny.
“Durinho” was rewarded for his efforts with a booking against Octagon superstar Jorge Masvidal. While he didn’t get the finish, he sent the Cuban into retirement definitively with a performance that pushed him up in our latest UFC welterweight rankings.
In his May follow-up with a long sought-after title shot on the line, he came up short to Belal Muhammad in a lackluster showing he will likely regret for years. In what might have been his last chance at a title fight.
- Next fight: TBD
4. Khamzat Chimaev (12-0)
At UFC 273 Khamzat Chimaev proved once and for all that he is the real deal. In his fight of the year-level clash with Burns, he answered many of the questions remaining about his striking abilities, toughness, and fight IQ.
However, he opened up new questions about his dedication by missing weight by a ridiculous seven pounds for his UFC 279 main event against Nate Diaz. The miscue cost him a massive opportunity and likely will force the UFC to make him prove he can make the 171-pound limit again before thinking about giving him a title fight in 2023.
3. Kamaru Usman (20-3)
One of the greatest title reigns in UFC history came to a shocking end at UFC 278. One small mistake prevented Kamaru Usman from tying Anderson Silva for the most title defenses in UFC history. The former division king did so much right in his fight against Leon Edwards, but one little misjudgment changed the division’s history forever.
At UFC 286, the welterweight legend got a chance to avenge just the second loss of his career but came up just short by a majority decision to Edwards. It will be interesting to see where he goes next. Does he want to reclimb the ladder back to contention at welterweight, or maybe try a change of scenery at middleweight?
- Next fight: TBD
2. Belal Muhammad (23-3)
You can no longer doubt the talents of Belal Muhammad. He has beaten high-level fighters like Demian Maia, Stephen Thompson, Vicente Luque, and Gilbert Burns. That, matched with his unbeaten streak is worthy of a title opportunity.
Hopefully, he finally lands that shot later this year after scoring his UFC 289 win over Burns in May. However, he may have to wait until later this year with UFC set on making Edwards versus Covington first.
- Next fight: TBD
1. Leon Edwards (21-3)
The UFC has its second-ever champion that fights out of the UK and the first Jamaican-born titlist. Edwards shook up the MMA world with his last-minute knockout of the best fighter of his generation, Kamaru Usman, at UFC 278.
At UFC 286 he got a chance to prove his win wasn’t a fluke after being beaten in most of the previous seven rounds the duo had. And he did exactly that with an improved wrestling game, smart strategy, and a well-placed cage grab to outlast Usman for a second straight win over one of the best welterweights ever.
If there were any doubters before, they can quiet the discourse because Edwards is the undisputed top 170-pounder in the world today.
- Next fight: TBD