Pros Pick: Silva vs. Belfort

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John Hackleman: I think this is an extremely interesting matchup of not only phenomenal talent and explosive knockout power but also incredible psyches. Depending on which psyche or straight left hand prevails, that will determine the winner. I think Anderson and Vitor, as talented as they are, their biggest foes thus far have been themselves. With their unlimited potential and knockout power, I think this fight will end in the first round with whoever lands the first straight left hand. So whoever lands that first left hand and whoever comes with his “A” game is going to win.

Cristiano Marcello: I know both these athletes very well. I had the opportunity to train with Anderson in the past, and I’ve known Vitor since the beginning of my days in jiu-jitsu. Anderson has muay Thai that, from the outside, is very aggressive, and Vitor has the boxing that is very technical and aggressive from the inside. I believe the difference in this fight is going to be who gets the takedown and ends up on top first. I see a little advantage for Anderson based on him fighting more frequently. I believe the fight will not go the full five rounds. Whoever comes in with a better strategy and can apply it will win this fight.

Juanito Ibarra: I think Belfort has a shot, though not too many people are giving him a shot. He has the talent, and he has the ability. Silva, to me, is the best fighter in MMA right now pound-for-pound. He’s an unbelievable athlete. Vitor does have the talent and the experience. My prediction is that he has to put the five D’s together: dedication, desire, discipline, drive and determination. He has to keep that attitude, and he definitely has the ability. The three I’s he must have: he must be intense, have integrity and intelligence. He has to concede in his mind and he has to truly believe in his heart that he can beat Anderson, and then he’ll achieve it. I think everything has to go just like that for Vitor to win the fight. That’s why I give him that shot because he has all that. Now, will he do it? We’ll see. I think it’s going to be a fantastic fight. But again, you’re going to see two of the best athletes in the world compete against each other -- experience against the best in the world. Vitor has to apply everything I spoke about in order to beat Silva.

Bebeo Duarte: I believe that Anderson is the favorite because he’s the champion, but Vitor has the ability to defeat him. It’s a hard fight. I believe that if Vitor wins, it will be by knockout. I see Anderson winning with knees in the clinch.

Ana Maria Soares: Fighting has no exact math. Anderson has that absurd feeling for distance, but Vitor closes well. I think Anderson wins.

Chris Wilson: I have to pick Anderson in this fight. Vitor is lightning fast and has dynamite in his hands, but Anderson is on a roll and hasn’t been overcome on the ground for several years now. Anderson has a very dangerous, versatile and accurate striking style. Vitor could melt him with the right combo, but my money is on Anderson taking advantage of his range and using his uber muay Thai clinch.

Casey Oxendine: I anxiously await this bout between the products of two old-school legendary brazilian camps -- Silva from Chute Boxe and Belfort from Carlson Gracie. For me, this fight will depend a lot on which Vitor shows up. While Belfort’s on a roll and unbeaten since 2006, Anderson Silva is a definite step up from recent competition. Vitor seems to have settled in well at 185 pounds. However, Silva is also a large middleweight with a huge height and reach advantage. History has shown that strong knees from a taller opponent can present a challenge for Belfort, particularly in later rounds. That was apparent in his bouts with Alistair Overeem. However, if Vitor steps in undaunted by Silva’s initial display of power, his speed and aggression can take him to victory. This means getting the fight down and working a safe but active ground fight. Vitor has a chance, but safe money says Silva takes it seven out of 10 times.

Tom Gavrilos: The only way I see this fight going Vitor’s way is if Anderson does not keep distance and focuses more on hands than kicks. I believe Anderson can be caught and put away in devastating fashion if he stays in the pocket with Vitor. I’m gonna take a chance and say Vitor by KO, round two.

Blake Bowman: We have the UFC doing their semi-traditional mega-badass card on Super Bore weekend. Topping it off is the fastest hands in MMA legends versus the most dynamic and overlooked standing striking defense in MMA. Two BJJ black belts who don’t like to go to the ground. I’m picking Vitor by transformation to the olden days -- just because.

Roli Delgado: I hate to be so blunt, but Anderson Silva is just on another level right now. Not to mention the fact that he has been actively fighting the best in the world and has not changed camps or had any other negative things going on. However, Vitor is plagued by training camp drama and hasn’t fought in over a year and a half. Is he going to be ready to fight five rounds? Of course, he has explosive hands, but I expect Anderson to dance a bit and then find his rhythm and pick Vitor apart. Referee stoppage in round three, with Anderson getting his hand raised.

Matt Pena: The way that the Sonnen’s left hands were landing, one might think there will be an upset. I would love to see it, to mix up the division, but it’s not going to happen this time. Vitor mentally doesn’t have what it takes for me to put money on this fight and probably not the right style. Barring a one-punch KO, the grappling isn’t there to slow Silva. Anderson by TKO in rounds one, two or three.

Brendan Schaub: I’m taking Anderson. I think speed will be the difference. “The Spider” puts on a show when he fights the elite. Anderson by TKO in the second round.

Eliot Marshall: I’ve got Anderson in the main event. I don’t think it’s good to change camps in the middle of training. Plus, Anderson is a badass.

Pros who picked Silva: 36
Pros who picked Belfort: 13
Pros who could not decide: 12

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