January 18, 2008: Given that Mark "The Hammer" Coleman was the first person to coin the phrase ground and pound, you'd think that the best fighters in this arena would be big bruising heavyweights. But when you look at things closely, well, an argument can be made that the greatest number of fighters adeptly utilizing ground and pound tactics do not fight in the heavyweight division at all.

Rather, the greatest number of skilled practitioners may be in the welterweight division (170 pounds and under by UFC standards).

Think about it. On second thought, let Submit To MMA tell you about it.

Top 5 MMA Welterweight Ground and Pound Fighters

First, it would seem important to note that this is not a list that outlines the best fighters in the welterweight division necessarily. Rather, it serves to rank welterweights on their ability to skillfully use ground and pound tactics only. Further, it would seem important to note- for novices out there- that every MMA fighter utilizes and trains to gain the top position in a fight, hold it, and pound away these days. In other words, everyone is a ground and pound fighter just as everyone is also a submission fighter.

Said another way, the MMA competitors of today are true mixed martial artists. Now onto the list.

Honorable Mention: Jake Shields, Frank Trigg (currently fighting at middleweight but has put in a significant amount of time at welterweight)

5. Diego Sanchez

Some people are good at taking people down because they're flat out powerful. Though Sanchez certainly is strong, that doesn't necessarily encapsulate what he's all about.

Further, Sanchez is very fast on his feet when attempting takedowns. But that doesn't really say what needs to be said about him either.

Here's what does. Diego Sanchez is as tenacious a fighter as there is in MMA today.

Beyond that, Sanchez's cardio is outstanding-some of the best in the business, actually-and he certainly knows the meaning of pound. Though ground and pound hardly tells the Sanchez story in its entirety as he's also an outstanding submission fighter, it sure does tell part of the story.

It is for these reasons and more that Diego Sanchez made Submit To MMA's Top 5 MMA Welterweight Ground and Pound Fighters list

. 4. Jon Fitch

Talk about a big, strong guy. That's exactly what Jon Fitch is.

And that's why he's an excellent ground and pound fighter.

In his last fight against Diego Sanchez, Fitch was put to the test. Sanchez had decided to go back to his roots. In other words, unlike his last contest against Josh Koscheck, Sanchez was planning on gaining the dominant position on the ground and pounding away. He came out like gangbusters. But then something interesting happened.

Sanchez ran into Jon Fitch. In fact, not only did Fitch stop his takedown attempts; he also proved able to take his opponent down. Though he didn't do a ton of damage, Jon Fitch did prove something for sure that he had been giving glimpses of all along.

He was a worthy ground and pound fighter. Thus, he and his 15-2 MMA record deserve inclusion on this list.

3. Josh Koscheck

Josh Koscheck and Diego Sanchez participated in one of the more memorable fights during the TUF 1 regular telecast. Sanchez won that battle and deserved to. That said, he did so from his back and on his feet.

Said another way, Sanchez was well- known for his brutal ground and pound capabilities. But when it came to fighting Josh Koscheck, he suddenly realized that he was not going to be taking his opponent to the ground.

And that's the first and most important step if you're going to ground and pound an opponent; which, by the way, is something that Josh Koscheck does very, very well.

Josh Koscheck is a former Division I Champion wrestler and four time All American. In other words, he's dynamite at takedowns and ground control. Further, he's an outstanding and explosive athlete.

And he's also improved immensely at destroying opponents once he gets them to the ground. Thus, his inclusion at number three.

2. Matt Hughes

For so many years, Matt Hughes had been the gold standard of the welterweight division in more ways than one. In fact, from the time that he defeated Carlos Newton in dominant ground and pound fashion until his first loss to Georges St. Pierre, an argument can be made that he was the most dominant fighter in mixed martial arts.

What's more, you can even make a strong argument that Matt Hughes deserves consideration as one of the best MMA fighters ever, and his ability to utilize ground and pound tactics is a major reason why.

Matt Hughes is one of the strongest people to ever fight in the UFC. Thus, he has always been able to use this to his advantage in the takedown - takedown defense battle. Along with this, his slams are near legendary ( especially that one in Hughes- Trigg II ).

Further, he's an outstanding wrestler that always seems to manage to improve his position on those lying underneath him. In fact, as Royce Gracie found out in their well- hyped battle, once you give up position to Matt Hughes it's nearly impossible to get it back.

Oh yeah, and he has always been able to dish out some of the most devastating elbows and punches on the ground in MMA.

So there's no wonder that Hughes made this list. The question? Who could possibly have overtaken him?

The real fans already know.

1. Georges St. Pierre

Forget welterweights for a second. If you were to make a list of the best ground and pound fighters in any weight class, Georges St. Pierre would either be at the top of the list or close to it. Consider what the man has done.

Matt Hughes, the man at number two on this list, was widely considered one of the best in the world at using ground and pound to his advantage. Just look at the aforementioned to understand why. But then Georges St. Pierre came in and dominated him in two straight matches, throwing his takedowns to the side as if they weren't even there. That said, takedown defense isn't really what we're measuring here.

And that's why it's important to mention that St. Pierre repeatedly took Hughes down, particularly in that second fight, and dominated him on the ground.

Need more proof that Georges St. Pierre belongs at the top of this list? Then consider what the Canadian did to Josh Koscheck in their recent match up, a former wrestling champion. In case you can't because you didn't see it, we'll break it down for you.

He repeatedly took a man down known for his wrestling prowess, controlled him, and struck him there. And Koscheck isn't the only one. Ask Frank Trigg about Georges St. Pierre. Sean Sherk too.

He's an amazing athlete. As explosive as has ever graced the Octagon.

When it comes to ground and pound and the welterweight division there really is no other choice. Georges St. Pierre is the new gold standard.

Remember to look for regular updates to this article. Until then, see you next time at Submit To MMA.