This week’s power rankings feature the welterweight division with Tyron Woodley in the top spot. Woodley is going to get a huge test next month as he will face Stephen Thompson at UFC 205. There is a good chance the rankings will get a shakeup after their bout as Thompson is listed as the favorite in UFC odds at BookMaker.eu to defeat Woodley. Let’s take a look at the latest welterweight rankings and UFC odds.
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Welterweight Rankings
1. Tyron Woodley (16-3)
Woodley holds the top spot but for how long? He found a way to beat Robbie Lawler at UFC 201 to win the title but he faces a very tough task going against Thompson. Woodley definitely has the power to win the fight against Thompson as Woodley proved against Lawler that he has a great right hand, knocking out Lawler in short order. Thompson has said he has to respect the power of Woodley.
“He keeps his left side forward and obviously loves to throw the big right hand,” Thompson said, “He’s a very explosive fighter (but) doesn’t fight very well backing up. He starts to slow down after the first round because he’s an explosive guy. He’s not afraid to stand there and bang it out, but that’s also a plus for me.”
2. Stephen Thompson (13-1)
Thompson is considered one of the top strikers in the UFC and he is favored to defeat Woodley at UFC 205. Thompson, also known as “Wonderboy” has won his last seven fights including wins against former champion Johny Hendricks and Rory MacDonald. Thompson has been rolling through the UFC but Woodley said he will be able to solve Thompson at UFC 205.
“I think his fighting style has been frustrating for a lot of guys and not being able to identify his fighting style and have people that are actually in that fighter realm, the karate sport, the kickboxing and the tae kwon do, and can mimic that style.” Woodley said, “The frustration has been to not be patient and just come in.”
3. Robbie Lawler (27-11)
Lawler was surprised by Woodley at UFC 201 but he is still one of the top welterweights in the world and should get another title shot soon. He pulled out of a bout against Cerrone that would have happened at UFC 205.
4. Rory MacDonald (18-4) – Bellator
MacDonald couldn’t beat Lawler or Thompson in the UFC so he decided to go to Bellator where he immediately becomes one of their top fighters. MacDonald did not have good things to say about the UFC when he left.
"They (the UFC) have a very interesting way of pushing their fighters. They don't do it quite like boxing. They like to throw you in the fire fast and see if you come out on top or not.” MacDonald said, “They'll keep on propelling you up faster to try to make more money, if you don't they'll throw you in the dumpster really quick."
5. Demian Maia (24-6)
He has won his last six fights including a win over Carlos Condit last time out. Maia said he wants to take on the winner of Woodley and Thompson.
6. Ben Askren (15-0) – ONE FC
Askren is coming off a win against Nikolay Aleksakhin in April. Askren should be back in action on December 17th when he defends his title in Bangkok. An opponent has not been announced although it could be Luis Santos who is the number one contender.
7. Andrey Koreshkov (19-1) – Bellator
Koreshkov will headline Bellator 164 on November 10th as he takes on Douglas Lima.
8. Donald Cerrone (31-7)
Cerrone will take on Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 205. Cerrone is listed as a -170 favorite at BookMaker.eu.
9. Dong Hyun Kim (21-3-1)
Kim has not fought since late last year when he defeated Dominic Waters by TKO. He is expected to take on Gunner Nelson at UFC Fight Night 99 in Northern Ireland on November 19th. Kim has won six of his last seven fights with the only loss coming to Woodley.
10. Lorenz Larkin (18-5)
Lark is coming off a win against Neil Magny at UFC 202.
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