Written by: Kevin Early

The battle for the number one heavyweight contender features Cain Velasquez taking on Frank Mir at UFC 146. This bout will determine who will face the winner of Junior Dos Santos vs. Alistair Overeem the main event of UFC 146. The paper view card features all heavyweights for the first time in UFC’s history.

Frank Mir is looking to get the title back and pull off a remarkable recovery and resurgence in the UFC. Back in 2004 Mir was in a motorcycle accident that derailed his UFC career. Since then he has been fighting his way back to the title with mixed results. He has had shining moments against Cheick Kongo, and Antonio Nogueira but has fallen flat on many other occasions including his bouts with Brock Lesnar, Shane Carwin and Brandon Vera. Although he had conditioning and weight issues when he first returned to the UFC, Mir looks to have returned to his prime form and that will make this match that much harder for Cain Velasquez.

Mir has the ability to win in any aspect of this fight. Although Mir’s boxing has improved, I believe Velasquez is the better boxer and Mir should look to use his submission and clinch game. Cain’s should look to keep the fight standing and use his speed to out maneuver and out strike Mir.  Cain is a decorated wrestler but he should not look to take Mir down given Mir’s submission skills.

My pick is Frank Mir by submission. I believe Mir will be smart enough to not sit and trade with Velasquez, unless he is winning that battle, and the fight will end up on the ground where Velasquez has not seen the kind of submissions Mir will throw at him.  It is hard not to pick Cain given his record but I have always liked Mir, and not cared for Cain. Hopefully Mir can return to his true form and hand Cain Velasquez his second loss.