When breaking down the bout, it’s extremely intriguing on paper. Cain holds a significant edge in the wrestling department, yet dos Santos clearly possesses the ability to stand up, even under elite wrestlers, without sustaining much damage.

Tipping the hat to the superior striker is extremely difficult; dos Santos is not only fast, he’s disciplined. He throws aggressive, yet controlled combinations, and he’s remarkably accurate. Velasquez in contrast, is a tad wilder with his punches, but pack the bigger punch. He’s certainly willing to throw unpredictable combinations, and that makes for a threat to any man.

MMA spectators and pundits have declared Velasquez’s cardiovascular capabilities the best in the division. After witnessing Junior dos Santos in action this past Saturday, I’m not completely convinced. Dos Santos not only didn’t wilt with time, he unleashed a vicious attack in the first frame that would have left nine of ten heavyweights exhausted by the midway mark of the second frame. Dos Santos never looked in danger of succumbing to fatigue. For a man like Velasquez that could make for a nightmare clash; one less advantage is just that, one less step toward a guaranteed victory.

And believe me when I say there is no guarantee heading into the most relevant heavyweight clash in the last half decade.

With the exception of Alistair Overeem, there is no heavyweight with the moment and mystique that shadow these two heavyweights; and Alistair still has to battle his way through the Strikeforce heavyweight tournament to cement his place as a top 3 heavyweight.

During their UFC careers, which have run virtually parallel, Junior dos Santos and Cain Velasquez have decimated proposed opposition. Foes looked more like rookie training partners than professional challenges.

The champion, Velasquez has made top flight opponents like Brock Lesnar, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira and Ben Rothwell appear out of their depth and overtly vulnerable.