Pros Pick: Dos Santos vs. Miocic

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They are two of the world’s premier heavyweights, and their meeting figures to decide much about the immediate future of the Ultimate Fighting Championship heavyweight division.

Former champion Junior dos Santos returns from an extended layoff to battle the fast-rising Stipe Miocic in the UFC on Fox 13 main event on Saturday at the US Airways Center in Phoenix. A decisive victory could thrust either man -- particularly Miocic -- into a title fight sometime in 2015.

Dos Santos has rattled off 11 wins in 13 appearances, losing only to reigning champion Cain Velasquez. The 30-year-old Team Nogueira and Champion Team representative has not fought since bowing to Velasquez in their rematch at UFC 166 in October 2013. Dos Santos has secured 12 of his 16 career wins by knockout or technical knockout, having victimized Velasquez, 2001 K-1 World Grand Prix winner Mark Hunt, former UFC champion Frank Mir, 2006 Pride Fighting Championships open weight grand prix winner Mirko Filipovic and two-time Abu Dhabi Combat Club Submission Wrestling World Championships gold medalist Fabricio Werdum.

Miocic has pieced together a three-fight winning streak since suffering the only defeat of his career in a second-round technical knockout against Stefan Struve two years ago. The 32-year-old Strong Style Fight Team representative last appeared at a UFC Fight Night event in May, when he needed all of 35 seconds to take care of Fabio Maldonado. Miocic has compiled a 6-1 record since entering the UFC in 2011, including victories over Gabriel Gonzaga and onetime International Fight League champion Roy Nelson.

Sherdog.com touched base with a number of professional fighters and trainers to gauge their opinions on the UFC on Fox 13 headliner:

Mitch Clarke: I want to pick Stipe, but I’m going with Junior by TKO in one of the later rounds.

Jeff Hougland: I don’t follow the heavyweight division close enough to know what’s going on, but I’m going to go with my heart and the underdog Miocic by fourth-round TKO.

Ray Elbe: JDS is going to KO Miocic like an egg frying on the sidewalk in Phoenix during the month of July. He’s just too good with movement and combinations.

Benji Radach: I’m going to pull for Miocic. I think his style and cardio will pull through in this fight. I’m stoked to see the exciting fist fest. Junior also has the skill and power to make it a quick night. I can’t wait.

Keith Berry: Being a striker myself, I’m excited for this fight. Both guys have great hands. I’m taking Junior by decision, but it should be a great fight.

Mike Ciesnolevicz: I wouldn’t mind seeing Stipe Miocic win this fight and get himself into top-contender status. It would be nice to see some new challengers for Velasquez and Werdum, but I just don’t see it happening. JDS is a bad matchup for him, as he is for most guys in the heavyweight division. JDS wins by stoppage. Miocic is very tough, though, so he might be able to make it to the decision.

Joe Duarte: I’m going with Junior by TKO. Hopefully, Nam picks Stipe so I end up being correct.

Nam Phan: I’ve got JDS winning.

James Vick: Dos Santos wins by TKO.

Beneil Dariush: Junior wins. He’s a better striker, and I believe this will be a striking battle.

Eric Prindle: JDS is super fast and great with redirection striking. Stipe is a great wrestler and has great cardio. If Stipe can keep JDS on his back, control the distance and use all his tools in his toolbox, he could pull out the victory. Despite my wishes of Stipe winning, I think JDS will pull it off by TKO in the second round with overwhelming hand speed and a well-placed uppercut or left hook.

Kyle Kingsbury: Dos Santos is the man after Cain. He wins.

Travis Lutter: I have to go with Junior in this one. He’s a very tough guy.

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THE FINAL TALLY

Pros Picking Dos Santos: 11
Pros Picking Miocic: 2