Pros Pick: Stipe Miocic vs. Francis Ngannou 2

Who deserves the “Baddest Man on the Planet” designation? Stipe Miocic on Saturday will defend his undisputed Ultimate Fighting Championship against Francis Ngannou, as their rematch headlines UFC 260 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Ahead of the long-awaited showdown, Sherdog checked in with some of Brazil’s most respected trainers and fighters, had them analyze the main event and answer the most important question: Which man will emerge victorious?

Pedro Rizzo

“Frances has a chance in the first two rounds, but I see Miocic winning. He is a much more complete fighter. He is able to mix boxing with wrestling and grappling—as he showed in the first fight— and he will do that again.” PICK: Miocic

Paulo Filho

“Ngannou is a one-punch fighter. Miocic will be able to take him down, make him tired and win just like in the first fight. Actually, I miss the old heavyweight Pride [Fighting Championships] times when we had Fedor [Emelianenko] and [Antonio Rodrigo] ‘Minotauro’ [Nogueira] and the technical level was better. Thank God, [Jon] Jones went up [in weight]. In my opinion, he will easily beat Miocic or Ngannou.” PICK: Miocic

Gilbert Burns

“I think Ngannou will win. He certainly improved from the first fight, and his knockout power will make the difference. In my opinion, he will beat Miocic and Jon Jones. I don’t see anyone beating that beast nowadays.” PICK: Ngannou

Vinicio Antony

“I believe Ngannou will win via knockout in the first round. With his technical evolution in takedown defense, he just needs to repeat his strategy from three years ago.” PICK: Ngannou

Fabricio Werdum

“Numbers show that Miocic is the best heavyweight in UFC history. I don’t see him as the best of all-time, but for sure, he is the best in the UFC. I think he will have problems against Ngannou. I have friends who live in Las Vegas, and they say that Francis almost lives at the [UFC Performance Institute]. He uses the facility like no other fighter, from nutritionists and physiotherapists to physical trainers. He also evolved a lot in all technical areas from last three years, and because of that, I think he is the favorite.” PICK: Ngannou

Carlos Barreto

“Ngannou is definitely a beast who has evolved a lot from the first time they faced each other three years ago, but what most people forget is that Miocic also evolved. That’s why I’m betting on him. He dominated Ngannou strategically and mentally the first time. After Ngannou, he lost to Daniel Cormier and then returned and beat “DC” twice, which shows he’s a great champion. Miocic is a family man who never gets involved in the hype and glamor of the ‘champion’s life.’ He is the archetype of a winner, and in my opinion, he will keep being UFC champion for long time.” PICK: Miocic