A new day and a new Grand Prix, this time the Welterweights get a shot to prove themselves in a UFC Octagon.

It’s the grand prix season again, this time 16 Welterweights step into the UFC Octagon and look to proclaim themselves as the best.

These 16 fighters have to win two fights to make the semifinal. The final four in the grand prix will fight for the top four spots. The two losers will compete in a consolation bout, fighting for third place, while the two winners battle it out for the championship.

Let’s get things started.

#1 Matt Serra vs. #16 Rich Clementi

Ordinarily Matt Serra wouldn’t be the top seed in the grand prix, however this is the UFC Welterweight champion and Ultimate Fighter season four winner.

Serra defeated Georges St. Pierre at UFC 69 to win the Welterweight crown. He defeated Chris Lytle at the TUF four season finale to earn the title shot.

He takes on Rich Clementi, who lost to Roan Carneiro at an Ultimate Fight Night event, last month.

Serra gets the victory by knockout in the second round, putting him in the quarterfinals.

#8 Drew Fickett vs. #9 Josh Burkman

Fickett has had plenty of fights in the UFC. He made his debut two years ago, when he lost to Nick Diaz at UFC 51.

Fickett has defeated the likes of Josh Koscheck, Josh Neer and Kurt Pellegrino.

Burkman has a victory over Fickett. He’s had an impressive start to his UFC career, losing only to Jon Fitch.

Burkman picks up the win and prepares to face the champion, Serra in the quarterfinals.

#4 Josh Koscheck vs. #13 Jon Fitch

Fitch isn’t getting a lot of respect by fighting as the no.-13 seed. Fitch has won all of his fights in the UFC and has a 18-2-1 record. He defeated Luigi Fioravanti at UFC 68, in March.

Koscheck defeated Diego Sanchez at UFC 69.

This isn’t Koscheck’s night, he’s going out in the first round of the grand prix, as Fitch pulls off the first major upset of the tournament.

#5 Diego Sanchez vs. #12 Joe Riggs

Riggs isn’t getting a fair shot in this match, as Sanchez defeated him at an Fight Night, last December.

Riggs doesn’t win this one, Sanchez prepares to take on Jon Fitch in the quarterfinals.

#2 Matt Hughes vs. #15 Luke Cummo

It’s only fitting to give Hughes, one of the greatest Welterweights of all-time, a no.-2 seed for this grand prix.

Hughes defeated Lytle at UFC 68. Cummo defeated Josh Haynes at UFC 69.

Hughes gets the victory over Cummo and advances to the next round.

#7 Jeff Joslin vs. #10 Shonie Carter

Joslin made his debut at an Ultimate Fight Night, last December, he lost that bout.

Carter has been around for a long time, with 66 victories in his career. But Joslin picks up the win and faces Hughes in the next round.

#3 Georges St. Pierre vs. #14 Chris Lytle

These two fighters have one thing in common, they’ve both lost to Hughes and Serra. St. Pierre lost his Welterweight crown to Serra.

But onto the fight, St. Pierre easily defeats Lytle, via decision.

#6 Karo Parisyan vs. #11 Roan Carneiro

Parisyan is one of the best and most experienced Welterweights in the UFC. Parisyan has fought the likes of Nick Diaz, GSP and current Welterweight champ, Matt Serra.

Carneiro defeated Clementi in his UFC debut in April.

Parisyan gets the victory, via decision.

We’re down to eight guys in the UFC Fantasy Welterweight Grand Prix. Stay tuned for more action to come