This Sunday, the UFC returns to pay-per-view on home turf with UFC 160: Velasquez versus Bigfoot II at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, with Junior Dos Santos and Mark Hunt also set to clash.
Both the main events will feature the big boys duking it out in back-to-back heavyweight clashes.
The co-main event will see Sydney resident Mark Hunt vying for top contender status against former champion Junior ‘Cigano’ Dos Santos.
Alistair Overeem was originally scheduled to face Dos Santos but was forced to pull out due to injury.
The main event showcases the recently crowned champ Cain Velasquez attempting his first title defence against Antonio ‘Bigfoot’ Silva. This fight is a rematch from UFC 146, which saw Velasquez victorious via a bloody TKO in the first round.
The co-main event
Striking
While Dos Santos is often lauded as having some of the best boxing skills in MMA today, Hunt is simply on another level.
The former K-1 World Grand Prix champion has been in the ring with some of the greatest strikers in any combat sport.
Hunt also holds the edge in sheer power and his rock-solid chin works as his own version of a solid defence.
Advantage: Hunt
Wrestling
Hunt’s takedown defence has improved tremendously since his first foray into MMA. Still, the burly Samoan often finds himself placed on his back.
Dos Santos has shown both good offence and defence when it comes to wrestling.
He is able to stay on his feet against better grapplers and can quickly take the fight to the ground if necessary.
Advantage: Dos Santos
Submissions
Not much to be said here. We don’t often get to see it in action but Dos Santos is a BJJ black belt and holds a submission victory to his name.
He also regularly trains with former champ Antonio Rodrigo Noguiera. Meanwhile, all but one of Hunt’s seven losses have come via submission.
Hunt has shown some skill at fighting off his back and getting back to his feet, but he’s still a natural striker at heart.
Advantage: Dos Santos
Strength and conditioning
Dos Santos proved in his losing effort to Cain Velasquez that he can fight hard for five rounds. On the other hand, the heavier and older Hunt has shown a tendency to tire as a fight progresses.
Hunt may hold a slight advantage in pure strength but Dos Santos’ edge in height and wrestling skill negates this.
Advantage: Dos Santos
Prediction
Hunt’s best chance here is to lure Dos Santos into a standing brawl where Hunt can land a big shot. In this case, Dos Santos will look to hold off Hunt while seeking a takedown.
Otherwise, look for Dos Santos to exercise his advantages in every other aspect of the game.
Result: Dos Santos via unanimous decision
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