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MOORE: Top Ten Pound For Pound UK Fighters in the UFC (Part One)
Mar 11, 2012 - 11:45:47 PM MOORE: Top Ten Pound For Pound UK Fighters in the UFC (Part One)

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By: Daniel Moore, MMATorch UK Contributor

I don't know about you guys but I am already suffering withdrawal symptoms from the lack of live MMA action until UFC 145 (TUF aside). To keep myself occupied I decided to take a closer look at the UK fighters currently earning a living in the UFC. I've come up with a completely subjective P4P top ten list that will no doubt welcomely lead to plenty of disagreement on my Twitter feed. I am not usually a fan of these P4P lists, but in all fairness, when I comprised my MMA Torch Top 10 rankings recently, it was sadly lacking UK fighters, so it's time to take a detailed look at how our boys are currently fairing:

10 - CHE MILLS
Age:29
Record:14-4 (1)
Last Fight: Win vs. Chris Cope (Round 1 TKO)
Next Fight: vs. Rory MacDonald at UFC 145

To go from fighting the recently released Chris Cope, to then take on Rory MacDonald, is the equivalent of me having a kick about in the park one day to then playing in the FA Cup final the next. Either little Joe Silva saw something special in Mills' debut win or, more likely, he's being fed to MacDonald whilst the division stagnates in GSP's absence. Mills did what he had to do in his UFC debut last year but it was nothing more than a one sided win against a novice fighter who shouldn't have been anywhere near the Octagon.

Don't get me wrong, Che Mills looked impressive in Birmingham and did everything that was asked of him on the night. This will be the real litmus test for him though, and if he beats MacDonald the sky's the absolute limit. His intensity can never be questioned, nor his willingness to take punishment, but this fight against GSP's potential successor will be the hardest test of his career by a country mile. If Mills can pull off the shock win, he will unquestionably shoot up the welterweight rankings to at least top 15 status. Nothing to lose and everything to gain for the former Cage Rage champion from Gloucester.

9 - JOHN MAGUIRE
Age: 28
Record: 17-3
Last Fight: Win vs. Justin Edwards (Unanimous Decision)
Next Fight: vs. DaMarques Johnson at UFC on Fuel 2

It was about time that John Maguire got his chance in the big leagues. After successfully defending his UCMMA Welterweight title several times, Maguire was more than ready for a step up in competition. After two previous BAMMA losses against Tom Watson (Hopefully UFC bound one day), and Simeon Thoresen (UFC newcomer), Maguire has since regrouped and worked on his weaknesses, thus coming back a much improved, and much more rounded MMA fighter.

His decision win over Justin Edwards at UFC 138 was professional and solid rather than spectacular. Unlike Che Mills, though, his next opponent is only slightly higher up the totem pole than his last victim. A chance to further acclimatize himself before more competitive opposition. DeMarques Johnson suffered a quick defeat to Englishman James Wilks in the TUF 9 finale, and if Maguire is on his game, more of the same can be expected. Johnson has often failed to deliver in his short UFC career thus far. John Maguire is more than capable of capatilising if Johnson isn't on his game.

8 - VAUGHAN LEE
Age: 29
Record: 12-7 (1)
Last Fight: Win vs. Norifumi Yamamoto (Round 1 Submission)
Next Fight: TBC

Not many fighters get to fight and beat their idol. Even fewer get to do it in their idol's back yard in front of 20,000 fans screaming (or in this case politely applauding) against you. Lee topped that off by being the first fighter to ever submit KID Yamamoto on route to a tidy $65,000 bonus for SOTN. In his previous fight nerves had got the better of him at UFC 138, and he was unable to deliver the anticipated home town win against a very solid, and very underrated Chris Cariaso.

From disappointment to elation in less than 5 minutes of fighting, this win can be Lee's catalyst for a sound run in the bantamweight division. I don't think anyone right now, Vaughan Lee included, can see this victory leading to a future shot at Jose Aldo, but a solid run of victories could see him go close. I'd like to see him square up against Edwin Figueroa next. A fighter fresh off a controversial win over Alex Caceres at UFC 143. Lee is more than capable of beating Figueroa, and after two Octagon appearances, the nerves that put pay to a winning UFC debut, will be a thing of the past.

7 - DAN HARDY
Age: 29
Record: 23-10 (1)
Last Fight: Loss vs. Chris Lytle (Round 3 Submission)
Next Fight: vs. Duane Ludwig at UFC 146

If you look past his current run of defeats, it's difficult to overlook Dan Hardy in any P4P UK list. Yes his stock has diminished considerably over the last two years, but for all he has achieved he still deserves recognition. Therefore he still continues to make my list, albeit he's slipping with every defeat. Very few fighters in the UFC have lost four fights in succession and been allowed to fight another day. Key to him keeping his job have been two things; he always wants to put on a fight, and he has lost to some world class opponents, including both the undisputed and interim champions at 170 lbs, affording him more time than others in the same position.

His confidence must be at an all time low. He knows one mistake, one poor decision and he's gone without question. Duane Ludwig is a beatable opponent, and the Hardy of years gone by would have gone toe to toe with Ludwig without hesitation. Forget his always confident, sometimes cocky attitude. Hardy won't be throwing caution to the wind in this fight unless he absolutely has too. A solid win and he gets the opportunity to rebuild his career in the UFC but a loss will mean he's looking for a fight in Strikeforce, Bellator or BAMMA. A fine line indeed and this fight should be as important to Hardy as the GSP championship fight ever was.

6 - PAUL SASS
Age: 23
Record: 12-0
Last Fight: Win vs. Michael Johnson (Round 1 Submission)
Next Fight: vs. Jacob Volkmann at UFC 146

It was extremely tempting to put Paul Sass slightly higher up this list. For now, though, I am content to sit on the fence. It's one thing beating the likes of Mark Holst and Michael Johnson, but a win over a seasoned veteran like Jacob Volkmann would be confirmation that Sass can be as good as his potential suggests. It has never been a secret to any of his previous opponents that Sass favors a submission victory. For me It's the fact he continues to win in this way which makes his run even more impressive

His standup game does need a lot of work heading into this fight. I'd be amazed if Volkmann remains keen to utilize his strong wrestling base knowing Sass is so lethal off his back. Volkmann will try to keep this fight standing for as long as possible, thus avoiding a repeat of his last loss courtesy of Martin Kampmann two years ago. Volkmann is an extremely tough opponent, riding a solid win streak, including a decision win over Sass's Team Kaobon teammate Paul Kelly. If Sass can lure Volkmann onto the ground, this fight is his for the taking. My money is on Paul Sass every day of the week.


Later this week I'll move on to the fighters I've chosen in my top five.

Feel free to follow me on Twitter and share your opinion - @dannymoore5515

[Dan Hardy art by Cory Gould (c) MMATorch.com]