MMA Welterweights in History: Among the attributes of the best welterweight competitors in the UFC are their résumé, which lists all of their titles, victories of distinction, and overall records. There are active fighters on this list who are still working to improve their record, in addition to former UFC Hall of Famers who have made lasting contributions to the sport.
Based on their prowess and legacy, the best 8 Welterweights in MMA history are mentioned below.
Top 8 MMA Welterweights in History
George St-Pierre
George St-Pierre, a Canadian icon, was undoubtedly the greatest fighter to compete in any weight class, not only at 170 pounds. In his second championship run, St-Pierre successfully defended his Welterweight Championship nine times in a row, and he would hold the title until his retirement. During his career, George experienced two losses: one to Matt Hughes and the other to Matt Serra. In rematches, St-Pierre not only exacted revenge for these losses but also stopped both of his opponents within the distance.
Matt Hughes
The top student of Pat Miletich began his professional career with an 8-1 record before making his UFC debut. Before taking down Carlos Newton to capture the UFC Welterweight Championship, Hughes would go on to win seven straight fights. In their rematch at UFC 38, Hughes would emerge victorious via TKO in the fourth round against Newton. After victories over Frank Trigg, Sean Sherk, and Japanese icon Hayato Sakurai, Hughes successfully defended his championship five times. After that, he defeated Renato Verissimo and a teenage George St-Pierre to reclaim his title. Following his return to the UFC championship, Hughes defeated B.J. Penn, Frank Trigg, and pioneer Royce Gracie in his second title defence.
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Leon Edwards
Leon Edwards, the current UFC Welterweight Champion, is headed for a run-in with history. Edwards has won two titles and is unbeaten since 2015. He defeated Kamaru Usman. Along the way to winning the championship, Edwards overcame Rafael dos Anjos, the former lightweight champion, Nate Diaz, and top rival Vicente Luque. Edwards possesses exceptional striking and has become a better takedown defender throughout the course of his career.
Tyron Woodley
Woodley was a standout performer in Strikeforce, going 10-0 in his career before Nate Marquardt mercilessly dispatched him. Over his next six fights, Woodley would go 4-2 and defeat Dong Hyun Kim and Josh Koscheck. At UFC 201, he defeated champion Robbie Lawler to earn his crack at the championship. That evening, he had one of his greatest performances to date, stopping Lawler in the opening frame. Three title defences later, he was defeated by Kamaru Usman.
Robbie Lawler
The legendary “Ruthless” Robbie Lawler is a legendary action fighter. The first fighter in MMA history to win Fight of the Year three times in a row is Lawler (2014, 2015, 2016). One of the greatest career comebacks in MMA history, Lawler’s tale begins with uneven results in his early career.
Lawler would return to 170 pounds in his second stint with the UFC, where he would go on to win three straight bouts. Lawler’s winning run earned him a rematch with Johnny Hendricks for the title, but he was defeated. Lawler would face Jake Ellenberger and Matt Brown again, following his victory.
At the age of thirty-two, Lawler would triumph once more and take home the UFC Welterweight championship. Former champion Lawler valiantly defended his title against Fight of the Year winners Carlos Condit and Rory MacDonald.
Pat Miletich
Pat Miletich, the first-ever UFC Welterweight Champion, comes in at number seven on our ranking of the all-time top welterweights. Miletich, a UFC Hall of Famer, was the dominant player in the 170-pound class in the sport’s early years. Miletich began his career with a 15-0 record in the Midwest regional scene, but a medical interruption cost him the match against Matt Hume.
After suffering his first defeat, Miletich went on to win eight bouts in the ensuing two years, winning UFC gold in the process. Miletich made four championship defences. Miletich completed 23 of his 29 professional victories (16 Submissions, 7 Knockouts) during his career.
Nick Diaz
Among the most formidable and captivating competitors who have ever participated in mixed martial arts was Nick Diaz. At the tender age of 20, Diaz—a BJJ Black Belt under Cesar Gracie—made his UFC debut and won both of his first two bouts with style. In his debut match, he used an armbar to submit seasoned fighter Jermey Jackson before taking out Robbie Lawler.
Diego Sanchez, Joe Riggs, Sean Sherk, and other formidable opponents were among Diaz’s many opponents. After erratic outcomes in 2005–2006. After quitting the UFC, Diaz joined PRIDE Fighting Championships, where he made his debut by defeating Takanori Gomi, the lightweight champion. After going 12-1, he would return to the UFC. Before defeating B.J. Penn in his second UFC tenure, Diaz faced Carlos Condit, who prevailed in a contentious decision. In their match for the world title, Diaz was defeated by winner George St-Pierre.
B.J. Penn
Many people consider former UFC Two-Division Champion BJ Penn to be one of the best Lightweights of all time. Despite having only two victories at 170 pounds during his UFC career, Penn defeated former champion Matt Hughes to claim the crown. After leaving the UFC to compete in Japan due to a contract issue, Penn was stripped of his Welterweight championship, which he would never be able to defend.
The BJ Penn, who defeated Matt Hughes at UFC 46, was not the greatest welterweight of all time statistically, but he would have been a tough opponent for anyone who has ever fought at 170 pounds.
