Top UFC Welterweights Ranked

When it comes to sheer talent and legacy, few divisions in UFC history have produced the kind of iconic battles and enduring legends like the welterweight division. From the laser-sharp dominance of Georges St-Pierre to the gritty resilience of Kamaru Usman, the list of elite 170-pounders reads like a who’s who of mixed martial arts royalty.

Understanding who truly deserves the title of the Greatest UFC Welterweight Champion of All Time is no easy task. Titles, win streaks, opposition caliber, overall skill setsso many factors are in play. But some champions etched their names in history and forged resumes that fans and pundits can’t ignore. Buckle up as we power through the era-defining kings of the cage in the welterweight ranks.

#1 Georges St-Pierre

Let’s not bury the lede. Georges “Rush” St-Pierre isn’t just the best welterweight of all timehe might be the most complete fighter to ever grace the Octagon.

With nine consecutive title defenses and victories over legends like BJ Penn, Matt Hughes, Nick Diaz, and Carlos Condit, GSP didn’t just winhe engineered comprehensive shutdowns of elite opposition in every department. Wrestling? Clinical. Striking? Surgical. Fight IQ? Einstein would blush.

And when others faded, GSP evolved. His dominance wasn’t built only on physicality but on a masterful understanding of game plans and execution. He retired after a successful middleweight title win, which only further burnishes his Hall of Fame résumé. Every other welterweight enter the conversation starts a yard behind him.

#2 Kamaru Usman

If GSP was the scalpel, Kamaru “The Nigerian Nightmare” Usman was the sledgehammer. Coming up through The Ultimate Fighter, Usman’s MMA evolution hit warp speed after capturing the title in 2019 by rag-dolling Tyron Woodley.

From there, it was a riding wave of brutality. He defended the welterweight throne five times, dispatching high-level threats like Colby Covington (twice), Jorge Masvidal (twice), and Gilbert Burns. And let’s not forgetUsman did it all while developing a jab that could humble most middleweights.

His shocking head-kick KO loss to Leon Edwards in 2022 marked a stunning fall from the apex, but nothing erases the reign of dominance he imposed for nearly four years. In another era, he would’ve been the undisputed king.

#3 Matt Hughes

Before GSP and Usman, there was Matt Hughesthe corn-fed powerhouse with a hall-of-fame chin and country-boy grit that turned him into a two-time UFC champion and logging seven total title defenses.

Hughes was a prototype: elite wrestling backed with brute strength. He bulldozed his way through the early 2000s, stacking wins over legends like Royce Gracie, BJ Penn, Frank Trigg, and Carlos Newton. He was the welterweight OG when the UFC was finding its legs, and his style might look vanilla today, but at the time it was the peak of evolution.

And who could forget his iconic rivalry with St-Pierre? He won the firstlost the next twobut those bouts helped usher in a new generation of MMA greatness.

#4 Tyron Woodley

From momentary flash-in-the-pan to one of the most feared knockout artists of his time, Tyron “The Chosen One” Woodley commanded the division with a rare combination of speed, power, and wrestling pedigree.

Woodley’s title-winning KO of Robbie Lawler was sheer violence, and his defenses against Stephen “Wonderboy” Thompson (twice), Demian Maia, and Darren Till further cemented his status. For a time, Woodley was a puzzle no one could solve. His right hand came with its own weather warning.

Though his decline was steep and swifthe lost four consecutive fights before leaving the UFCit doesn’t erase the years he ruled the division like a tactical tank. Few possessed his ability to neutralize elite strikers and grapplers alike.

#5 Robbie Lawler

Welcome to the blood-and-guts portion of our list.

“Ruthless” Robbie Lawler wasn’t supposed to be a world champion in the UFC’s modern era. His career looked cooked in the late 2000s. Then in 2013, he turned in one of the wildest late-career resurgences we’ve ever seen.

What followed was a title-winning spree filled with violence, cardio, and an iron will. His brawls with Johny Hendricks, Rory MacDonald, and Carlos Condit are part of the division’s folklore, especially his UFC 189 war with MacDonalda fight etched into MMA’s Mount Olympus of brutality.

Lawler’s technical tools may never have matched GSP or Usman, but his passion and refusal to quit made him an unforgettable champion in the deepest era the welterweights had ever seen.

Honorable Mentions

• Leon Edwards: Still mid-reign, “Rocky” has a lot left to say. His ascentcapped by a perfect head kick against Usmanwas straight out of Hollywood.
• Johny Hendricks: For a hot second, Bigg Rigg looked unbeatable. His slugfests against Lawler and GSP-era miss-fire land him just outside the top 5.
• BJ Penn: Though his legendary status was solidified in the lightweight division, Penn’s stints at 170 (including a title win) deserve a respectful nod.

The Verdict

What makes the welterweight division such a hotbed of greatness is how generational talent seems unavoidable. Each era has given us a distinct champion with their own flavorwrestling dominance, striking precision, or unmatched heart and resilience.

While rankings inevitably stir debateand oh, they willwhat’s undeniable is the richness of this division’s lineage. From GSP’s ghost-like mastery to Lawler’s juggernaut wars, welterweight champions have never let the spotlight rust.

So whether you bow at the shrine of GSP or stand in the shadow of Usman’s fierce reign, one thing’s clear: UFC welterweights don’t just fightthey define eras.

“It’s not just about who had the belt; it’s about what they did with itand how they made us feel while doing it.”

The rankings are in. Gloves are laced. Legends are made at 170 pounds.