170 Pounds of Fighting Fury
Each weight class in the UFC stands apart from the next with its own set of elite fighters who bring unique skill sets and thrilling fight styles to the octagon. Among these divisions, the UFC Welterweight rankings are at the apex of grit, technical skill, and impressive athleticism.
This division features a dangerous mix of rising stars and established legends. Here, we take a brief look at each fighter's journey, from humble beginnings to the bright lights of the Octagon. It takes unwavering dedication and hard-earned skills to climb the steps of this fiercely competitive division.
From devastating knockout artists to grappling phenoms, the Welterweight division is stacked with world class talent. Whether driven by a pursuit for gold or the unyielding desire to prove their mettle, these MMA gladiators compete at the pinnacle of combat sports.
Top 15 Welterweights
Current Welterweight Champion - Jack Della Maddalena
Newly-crowned Welterweight Champion, Jack Della Maddalena has an impressive record of 18 wins and 2 losses. Since joining the UFC in 2022, Maddalena has been on an undefeated streak within the division.
Back in March 2024, while apparently battling staph infection leading up to his fight against Gilbert Burns at UFC 299, Jack Della Maddalena also broke his arm during the first round of their fight. Despite these setbacks, Maddalena came back to finish Burns by KO, near the end of the third round.
Then, almost one year later, Maddalena challenged Belal Muhammad for the Welterweight belt. After 5 Rounds of MMA action, Maddalena was declared the winner by unanimous decision.
Follow Jack Della Maddalena's journey as UFC Champion on Instagram.
#1 Welterweight - Belal Muhammad
Belal "Remember the Name" Muhammad worked hard to earn his Champion status in the Welterweight Division, but relinquished his Title in May 2025 to Jack Della Maddalena. Born and raised in Chicago to Palestinian immigrants, Muhammad's fighting spirit was nurtured not just in the gyms, but also by the resilience his hardworking parents exemplified.
Muhammad is a well-rounded fighter, with ever-improving striking and world class grappling. His MMA wrestling skills played a major role in his Title shot victory against Leon Edwards at UFC 304 in July 2024.
Belal has showcased exceptional consistency and endurance while climbing the ranks and excels at pushing the pace and keeping the pressure on his opponents, which increases the intensity of each performance.
#2 Welterweight - Sean Brady
Sean Brady is an American-born fighter from Philadelphia. With a nearly perfect professional MMA record of 18 wins and 1 loss, Brady is one of the most consistent fighters in the 170-pound division.
Skilled in grappling and striking, Brady brings a well-rounded strategy to the Octagon. He has been recognized for his elite level Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu techniques, which have helped him win several submission victories.
Brady's ability to mix up strikes and takedowns makes him an unpredictable (and dangerous) opponent. Sean Brady won his most recent fight against Leon Edwards, by guillotine choke submission, in March 2025 at UFC on ESPN: Edwards vs. Brady.
#3 Welterweight - Shavkat Rakhmonov
Shavkat Rakhmonov, the rising Kazakh MMA prodigy, has gained recognition in the Welterweight Division. Appropriately nicknamed "Nomad", Rakhmonov has showcased an impressive string of victories as an aspiring champion in the making.
Rakhmonov blends a modern MMA style with his traditional wrestling background. His fighting style showcases speed, precision, and effective use of range.
His skills at stand-up striking, coupled with his grappling efficiency, make him a formidable opponent. Rakhmonov's continuing rise in the UFC demonstrates the growing impact of Kazakh fighters on the global MMA stage.
After beating Ian Machado Garry by unanimous decision, Shavkat has an impressive record of 19 wins and 0 losses.
#4 Welterweight - Leon Edwards
Leon Edwards is a Jamaican-British Mixed Martial Artist and a dominant figure in the UFC's Welterweight division. Born and raised in Birmingham, England, Edwards dealt with adversity early in life but fought his way to prominence in the globally renowned UFC.
As a versatile striker who has trained at Tiger Muay Thai in Thailand, Edwards’ fighting style is informed by his discipline, technique and drive to succeed. Edwards fights with accurate precision, timing, and has an exceptional ability to control distance inside the octagon.
Most recently, Edwards faced off against #2-Ranked Welterweight, Sean Brady. Despite being the former 170-pound champion, Edwards lost his fight to Brady in March 2025, bringing Edwards' record to 22 wins and 5 losses.
#5 Welterweight - Kamaru Usman
Kamaru Usman, aka the "Nigerian Nightmare", has been one of the most unbeatable athletes in the UFC Welterweight division. Born in Nigeria and later immigrating to the United States, Usman's journey is a tale of perseverance and determination.
His ascent to the top of the Welterweight Division wasn't easy and he's built an impressive professional MMA record of 20 wins and just 4 losses. He has fought (and defeated) some of the most skilled fighters in the division, displaying both fight IQ and wrestling physicality.
Usman's legacy in the UFC is forever cemented, despite losing his last 3 fights in the Octagon. At UFC 286, Usman challenged Leon Edwards for the Championship title, but lost by decision.
After moving up to the Middleweight Division, Usman lost to Khamzat Chimaev by a majority decision at UFC 294 in October 2023.
#6 Welterweight - Ian Machado Garry
Ian "The Future" Garry joined the UFC in November 2021. Garry fights out of Dublin, Ireland and has continued to prove himself in the MMA circuit.
His striking style and natural reach give him a physical advantage that's backed by a technical stand-up game that has helped him fight his way to a nearly undefeated professional MMA record of 16 wins and 1 loss.
Garry has used not only striking, but wrestling takedowns to earn victories and has 1 win by submission against Mateusz Figlak when they fought at Cage Warriors 110. Garry won his latest fight against fellow Top 15 Welterweight, Carlos Prates at UFC on ESPN: Machado Garry vs. Prates.
#7 Welterweight - Joaquin Buckley
Joaquin Buckley has been steadily climbing the ranks of the Welterweight Division, winning his last two fights against 170-pound greats, Stephen Thompson and Colby Covington. Buckley's professional record sits at 21 wins and 6 losses.
Buckley's victory against Covington was very decisive and ended after a doctor's stoppage near the end of Round 3. With victories like that, Joaquin is sure to be a title challenger at some point in the future.
#8 Welterweight - Michael Morales
Since joining the UFC back in 2022, Michael Morales is undefeated in the UFC. His latest victory came against Gilbert Burns in May 2025 at UFC Fight Night: Burns vs. Morales.
Morales was awarded a Performance of the Night bonus for his latest victory and once before after defeating Neil Magny by TKO in 2024.
#9 Welterweight - Colby Covington
The American-born fighter with an unmistakable penchant for stirring controversy, Colby Covington, has been a consistent presence in the division. As an NCAA Division I All-American wrestler, his grappling credentials have translated well to MMA, anchoring his past success in the Octagon.
Traditionally, Covington's relentless forward movement and striking volume, combined with his takedown abilities, have made him a worthy opponent. As an unapologetic self-promoter, Covington has worked hard at the art of getting noticed.
Covington is on a two-fight losing streak after being badly cut by Joaquin Buckley, forcing a doctor's stoppage at UFC on ESPN: Covington vs. Buckley in December 2024.
#10 Welterweight - Gilbert Burns
Gilbert Burns, aka "Durinho" (which loosely translates to "Tiny Tough Guy") is a professional fighter with a long-standing presence in this division. Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Burns started his combat training in BJJ, where he was a world champion before transitioning to MMA.
His BJJ black belt reflects in his dominant grappling and submission skills in the Octagon, but Burns is by no means a one-dimensional fighter. He has worked hard to develop his striking game, so he can pose a threat on the ground and the feet.
Burns has a current professional record of 22 wins and 9 losses. Most recently, Burns was defeated by Michael Morales in May 2025.
Fighting Through Victory, Defeat, Triumph and Setbacks
When the Octagon door closes, all the accolades, records, and hype dissolve, leaving nothing but each fighter's skill and their will to fight each round with all they've got. While differences in style and personality set these fighters apart, they are connected by one singular purpose - to win the 170-pound Championship belt.
Each victory, defeat, triumph, and setback shapes their path, ideally molding them into stronger versions of themselves. As we wrap up, remember, these are simply snapshots of an ongoing saga. In the dynamic arena of the UFC's Welterweight division, today's underdog could be tomorrow's champion, all in the blink of an eye.
