MMA Welterweight rankings - April 2012

EFC 13 shook up the welterweight division, but in many ways added some definition and clarity. For the first time we have a definite champion, Jadyson Costa, and challenger, Michiel Opperman, and can look forward to another great welterweight title fight. The rest of the division is also stacked with top athletes who will ensure that the welterweight champion will have no shortage of great fights and the champion no shortage of quality opposition.

1. Jadyson Costa (13–12)

Jadyson “Little Wanderlei” Costa proved just how good he is at EFC 13. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt bested Dallas Jakobi in a predominantly stand-up affair to become the new EFC Africa welterweight champion. Having proved he has a very well rounded MMA game, Jadyson Costa (3-0 EFC) has the tools required for a long stint as champion.

2. Michiel Opperman (10-6)

Currently on a 7 fight winning streak (3-0 EFC), Michiel Opperman continued to impress at EFC 13 as he defeated Martin van Staden via standing Guillotine choke. With this victory Opperman put it beyond doubt as to who the number one welterweight contender is and will surely face Jadyson Costa for the title in the near future.

3. Martin “The Punisher” van Staden (18-6)

Martin van Staden was certainly not outclassed in his EFC 13 clash with Opperman. The Punisher spent the majority of the fight in a dominant position before being caught in a standing Guillotine. Still a threat to the welterweight division, van Staden will surely be back with a vengeance.  

4. Dallas Jakobi (12-5)

At EFC 13 Dallas Jakobi tasted defeat for the first time at welterweight. Jakobi (1-1 WW) still has plenty of great matches available in the division and will look to rebuild his way to the top .

5. Dino “The Lion” Bagattin (9-2)

Dino Bagattin returned to his winning ways with a controversial split decision win against Francois Kabulu at EFC 13. The Lion landed some nice shots but never really found a rhythm standing. He did however look to have improved on his ground game and managed to neutralise Kabulu effectively. Bagattin has some tough opponents ahead of him, but is still within sight of a title shot.

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Welterweight Rankings - March 2012

Dallas Jakobi

EFC 12 featured two welterweight bouts, but they were enough to cause some adjustment to the welterweight rankings and reveal a new elite welterweight contender. With the title up for grabs at EFC 13, the welterweight division is looking extremely stacked and there are many who will feel deserved of a title shot in 2012. 

1. Dallas Jakobi (12–4)

Dallas Jakobi is currently on a 4 fight tear across two weight divisions in the EFC. The former Middleweight recently found a home at Welterweight, where he bested Adam Speechly in a 5 round decision to become the EFC Africa Welterweight champion. Jakobi has fought some of the best in the business and has notable wins over Wade Henderson (twice) and Paul Cunningham. Having come from a different weight division, Jakobi has a whole host of interesting matchups available to him as he defends his Welterweight title. First up is a title fight against BJJ ace Jadyson Costa at EFC Africa 13.

2. Adam “The Prodigy” Speechly (12-3)

Grappling wunderkind Adam Speechly is widely regarded as one of the top ground specialists in South Africa. The prodigy is used to big fights and has submitted many of the country’s finest including Dallas Jakobi, Nolan Swanepoel (twice) and Dino Bagattin. He has also faced two of my top ranked fighters in Dallas Jakobi (WW) and Jeremy Smith (MW). Speechly, a staple on this list, was recently defeated by Dallas Jakobi in a 5 round title fight at EFC Africa 10. A rubber match may yet be in the future for these two fighters.

3. Michiel Opperman (9-6)

Currently on a 6 fight winning streak (2-0 EFC), Michiel Opperman looked extremely impressive in his welterweight debut against Dino Bagattin. The Kickboxer has worked hard on his ground game, previously a huge weakness, and is looking like a complete fighter. Opperman is a legitimate contender for the welterweight title.

4. Martin “The Punisher” van Staden (18-5)

Martin van Staden is one of the most experienced fighters in the Welterweight division, having fought both national and international professionals. The punisher has notable wins over Nolan Swanepoel, Ronald Dlamini and Leon Mynhardt. He also has notable fights against Brian Ebersole (currently fighting in the UFC), Ali Maclean and Jeremy Smith. Undefeated in 3 fights in the EFC, van Staden was forced to withdraw from EFC 12, but is said to be making a return to the Hexagon in April 2012 at EFC 13.

5. Dino “The Lion” Bagattin (8-2)

Dino Bagattin is one of the finest strikers in the EFC, with a decorated Muay Thai background.  Bagattin looked relaxed, confident and fluid when standing in his EFC 12 clash with Michiel Opperman and the two fighters traded nicely. The Lion however had a distinct disadvantage when the fight went to ground, an area he will need to address in the future.

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Top 5 MMA Welterweights in South Africa

The Welterweight division is one of the most competitive in the country and almost certainly boasts the most fighters. This has further been enhanced by many of South Africa’s Middleweights dropping down to Welterweight in a bid to test their skills against smaller opponents. Here is my take on the 5 fighters at the top of the South African Welterweight division:  

1.       Dallas Jakobi (12–4)

Dallas Jakobi is currently on a 4 fight tear across two weight divisions in the EFC. The former Middleweight recently found a home at Welterweight, where he bested Adam Speechly in a 5 round decision to become the EFC Africa Welterweight champion. Jakobi has fought some of the best in the business and has notable wins over Wade Henderson (twice) and Paul Cunningham. Having come from a different weight division, Jakobi has a whole host of interesting matchups available to him as he defends his Welterweight title.

2.       Adam “The Prodigy” Speechly (12-3)

Grappling wunderkind Adam Speechly is widely regarded as one of the top ground specialists in South Africa. The prodigy is used to big fights and has submitted many of the country’s finest including Dallas Jakobi, Nolan Swanepoel (twice) and Dino Bagattin. He has also faced two of my top ranked fighters in Dallas Jakobi (WW) and Jeremy Smith (MW). Speechly, a staple on this list, was recently defeated by Dallas Jakobi in a 5 round title fight at EFC Africa 10. A rubber match may yet be in the future for these two fighters.

3.       Martin “The Punisher” van Staden (18-5)

Martin van Staden is one of the most experienced fighters in the Welterweight division, having fought both national and international professionals. The punisher has notable wins over Nolan Swanepoel, Ronald Dlamini and Leon Mynhardt. He also has notable fights against Brian Ebersole (currently fighting in the UFC), Ali Maclean and Jeremy Smith. Undefeated in 3 fights in the EFC, van Staden will square off against Dino Bagattin in what seems to be a number 1 contender matchup at EFC Africa 12.

4.       Dino “The Lion” Bagattin (8-1)

Dino Bagattin is one of the finest strikers in the EFC, with a decorated Muay Thai background. Bagattin’s sole loss was at the hands of Adam Speechly in a back and forth tussle at EFC Africa 2, but the Lion bounced back and is once more in the hunt for the EFC Africa Welterweight title. Currently on a 3 fight winning streak, having beaten Manny da Silva, Remo Ralph and Juan Lubbe within the first round, Bagattin will face Martin van Staden at EFC Africa 12.

5.       Neil “The Original” Diesel (18-2)

Neil Diesel is one of the old guard of MMA. Having fought and beaten the best in South Africa for many years, Diesel entered the EFC hexagon against Victor Anyaogu with a huge reputation. Diesel however, was unable to showcase his MMA pedigree as he suffered a knee injury early on, which would eventually force him to submit and receive only his second loss. The Original remains a huge threat to the Welterweight division when he returns to the Hexagon.

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