The pros favor Junior dos Santos (right). | Photo: Dave Mandel/Sherdog.com
Rex Richards: I’m taking Carwin in round two. I hear he’s lost weight but kept all of the strength. Plus, we have yet to see JDS fight this type of fighter. Should be interesting, and both fighters are extremely dangerous with a single punch. Finally, a great fight without a corny storyline (laughs).
Ron Foster: In my opinion, this is a much better fight than Brock and JDS. Carwin does pose a huge threat of putting Dos Santos on his back and overpowering him with wrestling, but I don’t think he will be able to get his hands on him. JDS will use his superior footwork and boxing to bust Carwin up from the outside, ensuring that his back is never against the cage. This fight could look very similar to the beginning of the Carwin-[Gabriel] Gonzaga, but this time it will end bad for Carwin. JDS moves one step closer to his fight with Cain with a TKO victory over a very game Carwin; Dos Santos by TKO [in the] late first [round or] early second.
Keith Berry: How can you not like Carwin? He’s like the all-around badass American dad. I’m really pulling for him on this fight. I’d be very happy to see a KO, so I’m saying Carwin by KO, round one.
Jaime Fletcher: These guys both hit hard and are down to slug it out. I think Dos Santos is more sharp and technical and won’t fold to Carwin’s pressure or get taken down. JDS [takes it in the] first round in an all-out scrap.
Brian Warren: Straight-up war; hope nobody gets hurt. God Bless, peeps.
Matt Hamilton: I will go JDS by KO in round one or two. A lot depends on how long of a feeling-out process these guys give.
Ray Elbe: Carwin doesn’t let this fight get out of the first round, finishing the fight faster than a 16-year-old after prom.
Billy MacDonald: Carwin is a beast. My friends that train with him at [the] Grudge [Training Center] say that he hits harder than anyone else they have trained with, and that’s an impressive list of warriors. That being said, I just can’t see a way that JDS doesn’t come out with his hand raised. This could end quickly with either fighter getting clipped. I’m going to go out on a limb and say that JDS will have the advantage on the ground.
Charlie Brenneman: JDS all the way. Carwin has power, yes, but JDS is a great striker. Should Carwin get him to the ground early on, my guess is that he’ll tire; Dos Santos by TKO in round two.
Benji Radach: Watch out for the first round of power from Shane, but I pick Junior to push him past the first round and pull it off.
Mike Ciesnolevicz: I think JDS is gonna wreck Carwin after Shane gasses. JDS then beats Cain for title. Then the best heavyweight in the world, Alistair Overeem, comes to the UFC and the UFC actually considers having him fight in handicapped two-versus-one bouts to give someone a chance to beat him.
Blake Bowman: Just two big guys with decent skills; no story, no hype, no commercials and no gladiator music. Just two dudes I want to watch fight each other.
Kultar Gill: Junior all day long -- better conditioning, better striking and hard to take down. Junior by second-round KO.
Michael Guymon: I think after such a long layoff this is too tough a fight for Shane. Granted, this is MMA and anything could happen, especially with big heavyweights. I believe Junior is stronger in all categories and will end up knocking out Shane in the second round.
Roli Delgado: Tough fight to call. I have to pick Carwin. His hands are just too heavy.
Pros Picking Dos Santos: 15
Pros Picking Carwin: 7
No Pick: 6
You can also contact Mike Sloan at www.facebook.com/mikesloan19. Features Editor Brian Knapp contributed to this report.