Las Vegas, NV – This Saturday’s UFC® 131: DOS SANTOS vs. CARWIN event in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada features an explosive showdown between two of the biggest punchers in history, Junior dos Santos and Shane Carwin. Thus, when the two mega forces collide at Rogers Arena live on Pay-Per-View to determine who gets the next shot at UFC heavyweight champion Cain Velasquez, fans around the world expect an epic war.
The Brazilian dos Santos has been thoroughly dominant in his UFC career, stopping the likes of Fabricio Werdum, Stefan Struve and Mirko Cro Cop, as well as besting Roy Nelson over three brutally one-sided rounds. Meanwhile, Carwin’s fists have finished all 12 of his victims inside one round, including former world title challenger Gabe Gonzaga and two-time champion Frank Mir.
In anticipation of the Saturday night bout between the two giants, numerous UFC stars came together to offer their opinions on the colossal number one contender fight.
MARK HOMINICK, UFC FEATHERWEIGHT
“I believe that this is dos Santos’ fight. He seems very motivated at capturing the title and willing to take out whoever is in the way. The advantage that Carwin has is in his wrestling, but I think he will try to exchange on his feet, where dos Santos has the speed advantage and will take him out. ”
PICK: dos Santos by KO
MICHAEL BISPING, UFC MIDDLEWEIGHT
“I think dos Santos takes this. Carwin is a massive threat to anyone, and no matter who you are, if he hits you, you’ve got a serious problem. This is a great fight for the fans because literally the very next punch could end it at anytime, either way. But, I think dos Santos is more technically sound, he hits hard from range and he is more athletic, and in a battle of two massive punchers you have to give the edge to the guy who is faster and more athletic. I think he’s going to get hurt and maybe dropped along the way, but I think dos Santos wins this by KO late.”
PICK: dos Santos KO 3
DaMARQUES JOHNSON, UFC WELTERWEIGHT
In the cosmic clash of man-sized fisticuffs, my Nostradamus-like fight predicting capability sees a loss of consciousness in the near future. Both JDS and Carwin have the kit bag full of power bursting at its seams. However, I give the edge in hand speed to JDS. A few questions still remain about both these monstrous men, so you can never really be sure. Did Shane get a new gas tank? Can JDS handle the power of a man that resembles just as much grizzly bear as he does human being? I guess we will see come fight time.
PICK – Carwin
DAVID HAYE, WBA HEAVYWEIGHT BOXING CHAMPION
“This is a really exciting fight, just the type of fight I love to be in, as two big heavyweight punchers are going to just blast each other. I’m too close to my own big heavyweight fight with Wladimir Klitschko to stay up to watch, but I’ll be watching the replay. I think this fight is really going to set the bar high in terms of excitement and power-punching. Someone is getting knocked spark out! Either man can KO the other – another similarity between this fight and mine – but I think dos Santos is faster and will land his bomb first. The same thing will happen in my fight.”
PICK: dos Santos KO 2
GEORGES ST-PIERRE, UFC WELTERWEIGHT CHAMPION
“This is a really tough fight. Both guys are really heavy hitters and early finishers. The guy that connects first is likely coming out with the win and I’m thinking it is Carwin. He’s got the best chance at winning.”
PICK: Carwin by KO
BRIAN STANN, UFC MIDDLEWEIGHT
“Tough to pick against a very motivated dos Santos right now, but I am going with my friend, Shane Carwin. Superior wrestling has become a noticeable advantage in many big fights and Shane has it in this bout. Dos Santos can beat anyone in the division on the right night, but I think Shane uses his sound boxing to land big punches and takedowns en route to an eventual finish by TKO.”
PICK: Carwin by KO late
ROY NELSON, UFC HEAVYWEIGHT
“I think Carwin has to shoot, take JDS down and try for the ground and pound. He’s lost some muscle mass and should be faster. But, you know what, dos Santos beat me, so he must good. I think – actually I know – his punches come in fast and I can see him getting Carwin out of there in two rounds.”
PICK: dos Santos KO 2
KYLE KINGSBURY, UFC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
“Carwin wins. Strength, athleticism and wrestling ability will be the difference.”
PICK: Carwin
RANDY COUTURE, UFC HALL OF FAMER
“Both these guys like to stand and bang and both can knock you out. Carwin has amazing power, but it will be interesting to see if he chooses to wrestle here and if he can wrestle for three rounds. I don’t think he should play around striking with Dos Santos. Junior is too sharp in the striking. But I think Carwin will have improved his game to where he can use his NCAA wrestling skills over three rounds for the win.”
PICK: Carwin by decision
ROSS PEARSON, UFC LIGHTWEIGHT
“I think dos Santos is winning. He’s got the faster hands, better movement and I think the first big shot that’ll land will be his. If Carwin lands first, he wins, but I think JDS lands first. Of course, Carwin can fool everyone and use his wrestling, but I don’t think that will happen.”
PICK: dos Santos KO 1
MARTIN KAMPMANN, UFC WELTERWEIGHT
“I think dos Santos is gonna win. He’s got the sharper boxing skills and better reach. Carwin can definitely knock him out if he comes in and there’s an opening, but I think JDS is gonna catch him first.”
PICK: dos Santos via KO
KYLE NOKE, UFC MIDDLEWEIGHT
“This is a great matchup for both guys. It’s hard to pick with Carwin’s size and power versus dos Santos’ athleticism and power. I can guarantee one thing: this fight will not go to a decision. My pick is Carwin by TKO.”
PICK: Carwin by KO
MATT BROWN, UFC WELTERWEIGHT
“I got dos Santos. I think he is faster and more technical on the feet than Carwin. Carwin is a dangerous and powerful guy, but I believe dos Santos has the ability to avoid Carwin’s power and will land more shots more often.”
PICK: dos Santos via knockout
BRENDAN SCHAUB, UFC HEAVYWEIGHT
“JDS is one of the best in the world, but I think Carwin will be too much for him. Shane can do it all and is more motivated then ever after having a year layoff. He’s stronger, leaner and in the best shape of his life. This is Carwin’s fight!”
PICK: Carwin KO 1
FORREST GRIFFIN, UFC LIGHT HEAVYWEIGHT
“For some reason, I’m leaning toward dos Santos. He seems to be a little bit quicker than Carwin. Dos Santos has tremendous speed for a big heavyweight and I honestly think that dos Santos versus Cain (Velasquez) would be a great fight.”
PICK: dos Santos
JOSH GRISPI, UFC FEATHERWEIGHT
“That’s a tough one to call, but I’ll take dos Santos by KO. I think he’s more technical.”
PICK: dos Santos
GILBERT MELENDEZ, STRIKEFORCE LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPION
“Junior versus Shane is going to be a great fight. Probably a better fight than what the fans were going to see at first. These guys are going to get in there and give the fans an all-out war. I see Junior grinding this one out though. He’s going to have stay away from one of Shane’s bombs, but I think he’ll end up getting his hand raised in the end.”
PICK: dos Santos
TJ GRANT, UFC WELTERWEIGHT
“I think Carwin is going to be a tougher fight for dos Santos than Brock Lesnar would have been. Both guys are very dangerous and anything can happen, but I truly believe Junior has the better striking and that will win him the fight.”
PICK: dos Santos by TKO