UFC 131 Pick: Carwin Vs. Dos Santos in Vancouver

The UFC 131 Carwin vs. dos Santos matchup is a tough one to pick because of all the variables involved. Also, as many UFC fans of the heavyweight division know, anything can happen in the sport of MMA.

The heavyweight division is perhaps the most unpredictable when a fight goes down between two talented competitors because one big shot could mean lights out for the opposition.

Shane Carwin and Junior dos Santos both have the kind of power that could spell doom for just about any man on the planet with one punch.

Dos Santos is a slight favorite going into this one because he is more of a known quantity. Carwin is much slimmer after time off and his cardio/stamina is in question as well as his psyche because of his loss to Brock Lesnar last year, when he gassed out and was beaten after nearly finishing Lesnar for the heavyweight title.

Dos Santos is a true pro with a great camp (although Carwin is too), and he is a great boxer with very good takedown defense. Carwin has the wrestling edge too, however.

If this ends up being the stand-up fight that many are picking it to be, dos Santos has better technique, range judgment, hand speed and more. But Carwin's wrestling will be the x-factor in this one.

Despite dos Santos' amazing skills, this is a three-round fight with a possible title shot on the line. Carwin knows that and a sound game plan using wrestling to control the pace and tie up the talented boxer dos Santos seems prudent.

That's why the pick here is a Carwin win in a controversial decision next week in Vancouver over dos Santos in one of the most competitive fights of the year so far at UFC 131.