I’ve seen a lot of MMA World Rankings lately and I haven’t found one I 100% agree with.  Therefore I’m launching the first ever 3rd String Safety Official MMA World Rankings.  Please, hold your applause.  These rankings will be fluid and updated after every major MMA card.

Updated 2/8/10

1) Georges St. Pierre (19-2)

I don’t know if GSP’s dominance can really be explained in words.  He’s the best wrestler in MMA and that’s the base of his game.  However he also has top notch jiu-jitsu and excellent striking.  Quite simply GSP is a freakish athlete and I’m not sure anyone will knock him off this perch for quite some time.  He’s already dismantled Fitch, Alves and Koscheck.   To me GSP has nothing left to prove at 170 pounds.  It’s time to see what he can do at 185.

Next up: Dan Hardy, UFC 111

2) Jon Fitch (21-3)

How good is Jon Fitch?  He might be one of the top 10 pound for pound fighters in the world and he’s not even the best fighter in his own weight class.  Fitch has only lost once, to GSP, in the last seven years.  He’s 11-1 in the UFC and holds wins over Thiago Alves, Diego Sanchez and Paulo Thiago.  His wrestling is amazing, his jiu-jitsu doesn’t get nearly enough credit (he submitted Roan Carneriro) and he can hold his own striking.  If it wasn’t for GSP, Jon Fitch would be a superstar.

The only knock on Fitch is that as of late he’s taken a workman-like approach to his fights.  He’s fought smart but hasn’t looked to finish fights.  While this might keep him in the win column it’ll keep him out of the title picture.

Next up: Thiago Alves, UFC 111

3) Thiago Alves (16-6)

Alves is another guy who curses GSP’s existence everyday.  Alves is a huge welterweight with sick striking and great take-down defense.  If GSP didn’t exist Alves and Fitch would probably pass the title between each other.

Up Next: Jon Fitch, UFC 111

4) Josh Koscheck (14-4)

It’s amazing that ‘Kos even won a single fight on the Ultimate Fighter. Four years ago he was a wrestler wearing an MMA’s fighters clothing. He was nicknamed the “blanket” by the fans and got a rep as being a lay-n-pray fighter. Since then ‘Kos has evolved into a complete fighter. His take downs are still top notch but he’s developed into a very sound kick boxer. He has a tremendous right hand, ala Dan Henderson, that he might be guilty of loading up on too much. Koscheck is a great athlete and along with GSP, Fitch and Alves form a tier in the welterweight division. After ‘Kos there’s a big gap in talent.

Next up: Paul Daley, UFC 113

5) Paulo Thiago (12-1)

Thiago 2 – AKA 1.  Thiago is no fluke.  In three of his four UFC fights Thiago has taken on three top welterweights and beat two of them and hung with the other.  Thiago sits at 5 in my welterweight rankings but has an unbelievable ceiling.  His kick boxing is getting better every fight and he finally is starting to show some technique to go along with his natural power.  His ground skills also are top notch and after his text book choke out of Mike Swick  has now put the entire division on notice.

Next up: Nothing Scheduled.

6) Dan Hardy (23-6)

Hardy put his name on the map with a serious of impressive wins, including a dominating performance against Mike Swick.  Hardy has heavy hands and decent take down defense but that’s about it. Koscheck questioned Hardys legitimacy as a number one contender and I have to say I agree. He doesn’t hold a win over a top welterweight and his fight against Marcus Davis could have gone either way.

Regardless as Matt Serra taught us St. Pierre isn’t invincible and Hardy’s heavy hands can certainly get the job done.

Next up: Georges St. Pierre, UFC 111

7) Nick Diaz (21-7)

Nick Diaz your career and fighting style defies logic.  Diaz attacks with these goofy “slap” punches that in theory shouldn’t work yet we’ve seen that his K.O. power in both his hands (see his KO of boxer Robbie Lawler.)  His wrestling is average but his jiu-jitsu skills are top notch.  The Cesar Gracie black-belt loves to use his BJJ to sweep and take down his opponent (both him and his brother love the standing Kimura.)

Next up: Nothing Scheduled.

8 ) Paul Daley (23-8-2)

Daley is another upstart British fighter. Filling it for Mike Swick he upset Martin Kampman by KO.  His encore performance he KO Dustin Hazelett in highlight reel fashion. Much like Hardy “Semtex” has heavy hands that are very fast, solid boxing technique but that’s about it. He has no ground game and not much of a wrestling base. He can knock you out but a smart game plan will neutralize his power.

It feels weird putting a guy in the 8 spot who lost to Nick Thompson by decision just 11 months ago.  However, I’m not sure there’s anyone more deserving.

Next up: Josh Koshceck, UFC 113

9) Martin Kampmann (15-3)

Kampmann was in line for a shot at GSP after a narrow win over Carlos Condit. A funny thing happened on the way to a title fight. He got TKO’d against Daley in a questionable stoppage. Kampmann was pressed against the fence and eating blows but he was covering up and never was dropped. It was the rare standing stoppage. Kampmann is a kick boxer by trade but has developed a well rounded game.  He’s a dangerous fighter to try to stand and trade with.  Just ask Jacob Volkman.

Next up: Ben Saunders, UFC 111

10) Carlos Condit (24-5)

The former WEC champ was on the fast track to a title shot before losing a close fight to Martin Kampmann.  Since then Condit rebounded by beating Jake Ellenberger (a win that gets more impressive as we see what a fighter Ellenberger is.)  The Natural Born Killer has a well rounded game, mixing in submissions and striking skills. 

Next up: Rory MacDonald, UFC 115

Honorable Mention: Jay Hieron, Dan Hornbuckle

Not Ranked: Jake Shields, Matt Hughes, Diego Sanchez

Prospects: John Hathaway, Rick Story, Matt Riddle, Nick Osipczack, Rory MacDonald