Please note that due to retirement Georges St-Pierre and Nick Diaz won’t be listed. Also note the last rankings (7/28/13) used an UFC style rankings system with the champion ranked above the top 10 and while that system won’t be used the ranks will be listed in parenthesis:
~ 1 (1) ~
Johny Hendricks
Tough breaks happen in this sport no doubt about it. However with bad decisions also come opportunities for redemption. Johny Hendricks will get one such chance at UFC 171 when he takes on dangerous striker Robbie Lawler for the title he believes to be his anyways.
~ 2 (3) ~
Carlos Condit
Carlos Condit closed out 2013 with a win over Martin Kampmann at UFC Fight Night: Condit vs. Kampmann 2 to avenge his UFC debut loss. He is now set to face Tyron Woodley at UFC 171 and depending on that fight he may face the winner of Hendricks vs. Lawler.
~ 3 (7) ~
Robbie Lawler
If anyone turned their career around in 2013 it was Robbie Lawler when upon his welterweight and UFC return he defeated the likes of Josh Koscheck and recently pulling an upset against Rory McDonald. He is now set to face Johny Hendricks for the vacant title at UFC 171.
~ 4 (4) ~
Jake Ellenberger
Jake Ellenberger had a split record in 2013 with a win over Nate Marquardt and a loss to Rory McDonald. A return at the beginning of the year was spoiled when he injured his hamstring and couldn’t face Tarec Saffiedine at UFC Fight Night 34.
~ 5 (2) ~
Rory McDonald
Had Rory McDonald beat Robbie Lawler at UFC 167 he would probably be facing Hendricks for the title. Sadly he didn’t show up mentally.
~ 6 (N/A) ~
Jake Shields
Jake Shields has had a successful return to welterweight and is now set to face a scary striker in Hector Lombard at UFC 171.
~ 7 (5) ~
Demian Maia
Following his loss to Jake Shields, Demian Maia is now set to face Rory McDonald at UFC 170 to get a good rebound win on his record.
~ 8 (N/A) ~
Tarec Saffiedine
Tarec Saffiedine was the first welterweight to open the new year off with a bang against Hyun Gyu Lim at the first UFC Fight Pass event.
~ 9 (N/A) ~
Ben Askren
Considered extremely one dimensional, Ben Askren was let go by Bellator and not considered by the UFC. Now he’s with ONE FC.
~ 10 (6) ~
Martin Kampmann
Martin Kampmann recently revealed he’s taking off time from fighting but unlike Georges St-Pierre, he said plainly he isn’t retiring.
The 2013 End of Year Awards will continue next. Feel free to leave a comment!