UFC 134: Brendan Schaub vs. Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, Early Breakdown

The ever familiar battle between the old guard and the young, up and coming prospects is on display once again at UFC 134 with former UFC Interim Heavyweight Champion Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira taking on Ultimate Fighter heavyweights runner-up Brendan Schaub.

Schaub is riding a four-fight win streak after losing his season's finale to Roy Nelson in 2009.  He has been on a tear of late, most recently knocking out Pride legend Mirko Cro Cop at UFC 128.

Nogueira, on the other hand, is coming off a long lay-off since being knocked out by Cain Valasquez at UFC 110, opting to have surgery on his knee late in 2010.

This battle, set to take place in Brazil for the first time since 1998, will once again pit the hungry young fighter against a proven veteran.

Here's a head to toe breakdown of how these two heavyweights match up. 

Striking

It's amazing to see how well Schaub has adapted to MMA since coming over from the NFL.

What's even more astounding is how good this young fighter's striking is.  

During his four fight win streak, Schaub has finished three of four opponents via strikes, including back to back first round technical knockouts of Chris Tuchscherer and Chase Gormley and most recently a third-round KO of Mirko Cro Cop.

Schaub is also a former Golden Gloves boxing champion.

Nogueira, a proven veteran, has great boxing as well, but only sports two KO victories on his illustrious résumé.  

Although Schaub has not faced nearly as many high-level opponents as Noguiera, his heavy hands and recent string of knockout wins gives him an edge in the standup department.

Advantage: Schaub 

Submissions

There are few heavyweights in the UFC that can match Nogueira's grappling credentials.

A quarter finalist in the 2000 ADCC World Submission Grappling Championships, Minotauro has 20 submissions wins in his MMA career.

While in Pride, Nogueira submitted Mark Coleman, Heath Herring and Dan Henderson.  He also won the interim heavyweight belt by choking out Tim Sylvia (pictured above) at UFC 81.

Schaub, meanwhile, holds no submission wins on his professional record, so little is known of his grappling skills.  He is, however, a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

The edge clearly has to go to Nogueira.

Advantage: Nogueira 

Wrestling

Although both fighters have successfully taken down many of their opponents, no one would argue that wrestling is their strong suits.

In Schaub's last fight, he was able to take down Cro Cop at will, viciously ground and pounding the Pride legend while in his guard. However, the 36-year-old Cro Cop has never been much of a wrestler himself so the feat isn't that impressive.

Nogueira's wrestling is nowhere near as good as his BJJ.  He has taken down many fighters in his 40-fight career, but technically speaking, many of these take downs were not the great.  

It should be noted that Minotauro was able to get the best of former Olympian Dan Henderson on the mats and he along with the members of Team Black House have been aided by Mark Munoz to improve their wrestling.

Advantage: Draw

Strength and Conditioning

A former professional football player with the Arena Football League's Utah Blaze and a member of the Buffalo Bills practice squad, Schaub no doubt has the advantage when it comes to strength and conditioning.

Not to say that Nogueira is out of shape, because he's not, but Schaub just has the edge in this department.

Advantage: Schaub

Experience

Schaub may be a bit stronger and faster, but Minotauro is a legend.

He's fought anybody and everybody, from Fedor Emelianenko to Randy Couture.  

With 40 fights under his belt, there's little that Nogueira hasn't seen in this sport.

This amount of experience will no doubt be a huge advantage for "Big Nog," a legendary figure of MMA.

Advantage: Nogueira

Variables

Schaub: This young, heavyweight prospect is riding an impressive four-fight win streak that has sent Gabriel Gonzaga out of the UFC and may have retired Cro Cop.  

He's game has greatly improved since losing the Ultimate Fighter Heavyweights finale to Roy Nelson and his stock seems on the rise.  After dismantling one Pride legend, he will no doubt be looking to send another legend into retirement.

Nogueira: This MMA legend has only lost to current or former champions, an impressive run for the Jiu-Jitsu specialist.  But at age 35 and coming off a long lay off, ring rust may pose a huge problem for Nogueira.

A loss may not be indicative of what he's got left, but it certainly won't be a good omen considering how many of the old guard have fallen in recent months.  Look for Minotauro to take the fight to the mats as quickly as possible.  

Prediction

For Schaub, a win over another MMA legend will catapult his stock into the upper echelon of the division.

He's looked quite impressive in his last few bouts and his striking game is something that all the heavyweights should take note of.

If he can keep the fight standing, I envision him having a huge advantage over Nogueira.

For Minotauro, a loss would be devastating, but not the end of the world since he is coming off a long lay off.  However, a second loss in a row would put the Pride legend in a bad position going forward.

His key to victory is landing the take down and submitting Schaub on the ground.  If he gets stuffed and cannot bring the fight to the mats, it will be a long night for Nogueira.

It's hard for me to say this, but I have to give the edge to Schaub.

Prediction: Schaub via 3rd round KO.