Pros Pick: Lesnar vs. Velasquez

Carlos Barreto: Lesnar showed that, besides being a good athlete, he has the heart of a fighter. He’s big and strong and should try to take advantage of it. But Cain fills my eyes. I like the concentration and aggressiveness that he shows in his fights, and he’s showing progress in his fighting style. With his speed and a well-designed strategy, he can win the heavyweight championship. I think Velasquez wins by TKO.

Mike Ciesnolevicz: Velasquez, to me, is the best heavyweight in the UFC. I can see him maybe losing the first round of this fight but taking over as the fight progresses. I see a lot more ways for Cain to win than I do Brock. He might not be as big and strong, but his stand-up is crisper and he has better combos; he moves his head a lot. His conditioning is [the stuff] of legend around AKA. The grappling is equal, but in this case, I think all of Brock’s extra muscle is gonna hinder him. He has to process a lot more oxygen to keep that mass going for five rounds. I’m calling the upset. Velasquez wins in a war by TKO in the fourth round.

Cristiano Marcello: I believe in a victory for Lesnar because he’s showing great progress in MMA, especially for his weight, which is much larger than Velasquez.

Benji Radach: Velasquez will get a first- or second-round TKO victory. He just has too much to bring to the table compared to Brock. He will be landing way more strikes, ending with vicious leg kicks that will take their toll. Brock is a beast, but he’s not a fighter compared to Cain. Brock is just too new to the sport to handle a seasoned fighter of Cain’s caliber. If Brock can use his wrestling and control to smother and wear him down, then possibly he could take this fight. Other than that, I pick Velasquez in this battle.

Nam Phan: I think Cain will win. I really believe that Cain has better technique in the wrestling and in the striking department. I feel that Cain can use his awesome endurance to gas out Lesnar and win by decision.

Roan Carneiro: Velasquez by TKO.

Eddy Millis: I think Brock is getting stronger with every fight. He came back like Michael Myers last fight, and it’s close to Halloween. I have Brock by first round ground-and-pound.

Skipper Kelp: Cain via late stoppage due to his cardio and boxing skills. Both have strong wrestling.

Marcos Galvao: Lesnar by TKO.

Jason Lambert: Lesnar by TKO.

Ronys Torres: Once again, bet on the size and power of Lesnar. I think he comes out with another victory before the fifth round.

Frank Shamrock: Cain to win and become the second Mexican UFC champion in history (after Frank Shamrock, of course).

Marcio "Cromado" Barbosa: Lesnar by submission.

Mac Danzig: I’d really like to see Cain win this one and he definitely has what it takes, but Brock has such a similar skillset, coupled with a definite size and strength advantage. It also seems as though Lesnar is getting better all the time. You have to respect Brock’s spirit and ability as a competitor. Not too many people have the balls or talent to go to the NFL [in training camp] and the UFC after pro wrestling. He’s proven himself as the real deal, and Cain is gonna have his hands full. Cain does have some of the best people in the game working with him. AKA is no joke. I would love to see Cain pull it off and my heart is rooting for him, but, realistically, I’m gonna have to go with Lesnar.

Leonardo Santos: I think that Velasquez is very tough, but I don’t think he will handle the pressure of the giant. Unfortunately, I don’t see him defeating Lesnar.

Shamar Bailey: I’m picking Brock Lesnar to win. I think he’s matured enough as a fighter to know how to implement his game plan, no matter what Cain throws at him. I think Cain has a chance if he plays the angles game and turns it into a fight that involves scrambling and lots of changes of position, taking it into the later rounds. If this doesn’t happen or he doesn’t knock Brock out right away, Lesnar’s hand will be raised.

Erik Paulson: I think that this fight between Brock and Cain will be a barnburner. Lots of hype and great publicity on the all-access UFC show, with nice stories, too. The training has been super intense and very exciting. I love to be blessed to have been a part of this super fight. All the hard work is coming to fruition this Saturday at the Honda Center, my backyard. Two top heavyweights preparing for war. Get ready to sit back and enjoy this super fight of the decade making history. God bless the UFC to make this happen and for our country, the soldiers who allow us to enjoy the Land of the Free. Brock [will be] the victor.

Marlon Sandro: Velasquez is the one with good striking, but I believe more in Lesnar’s submissions.

Charlie Brenneman: When I started writing this, I wrote that Cain would win. When I started rationalizing my reasons, I pulled a 180. Brock is too much of a man for Cain. No, he does not like to get hit, but his size and strength will be used to bully Cain into the cage and onto the floor. Brock has a gas tank. Lesnar by TKO, round three.

Milton Vieira: Lesnar by KO.

Tom Vaughn: Smart money is on Lesnar, but I’m going with the underdog, Velasquez, in this fight. I think speed, agility and technique sustain this fight until Lesnar runs out of steam. Velasquez will scramble and eventually get top position, where he will end this fight by TKO when Lesnar can’t get off his back.

Ray Elbe: I’m taking Cain over Lesnar. Velasquez’s cardio will be the difference. Look for Lesnar to have his head bounced of the canvas like a Tim Hardaway crossover.

Thales Leites: Velasquez by TKO.

Casey Oxendine: This is a very interesting matchup that I have wanted to see for some time. The way it stands, I have Brock taking the victory seven out of 10 times by TKO in the second. I say this because Brock has so many facets in his game by which he can end the fight in the blink of an eye. We saw Randy Couture having a decent run against him for two rounds, only to be hit and dropped with one shot. Then we saw Brock come back from a tremendous beating from Carwin and finish with a picture-perfect arm-triangle. That being said, I will be rooting on the underdog in Cain Velasquez. I believe, with a perfect strategy and the conditioning to press Brock into the championship rounds, he definitely has a shot at winning. However, the power that Brock possesses can be the neutralizer of any and all technical ability. Remember that Cain was staggered several times in his bout with Cheick Kongo. Therefore, he must be sure to keep his chin very tight with a guy that possesses not only that freakish level of punching power but also a world class wrestling game to contend with once they hit the ground.

Paulo Thiago: I think the versatility of Velasquez is better than Lesnar. Although he’s lighter and smaller, I think he’s better at striking and better in takedowns. He will have the disadvantage of weight and strength, but I think Cain Velasquez wins this fight.

Matt Pena: Always said the only one out there built to beat Brock is Cain. I once told Cain that he would be champ one day. However, now that the time is here, I’m balking. Brock is a bad boy. He’s in great shape. I expect there to be an even better Brock. Even still, I see holes in Brock’s striking that only experience will help fix. This, along with Cain’s speed, will be too much. If Cain can stay off his back, I expect to see him win by TKO or decision.

Pros who picked Velasquez: 28
Pros who picked Lesnar: 25
Pros who couldn’t decide: 0

You can contact Mike Sloan at www.facebook.com/mikesloan19. Brian Knapp and Gleidson Venga contributed to this report.