UFC 146: Mark Hunt vs. Stefan Struve Head-to-Toe Breakdown

UFC 146 has gone through a lot of changes in the past few weeks. Every fight on the main card was changed—except one.

The fans tried to get it changed, but proved unable, as Mark Hunt was not given the title shot against Junior dos Santos.

He will instead remain in his fight against Stefan Struve, with the winner firmly cementing himself into the top ten in the UFC's heavyweight rankings.

This is a heck of a fight to kick off the main card, and is sure to be a good one.

Let's take a look at a head-to-toe breakdown of Mark Hunt vs. Stefan Struve.

Striking

While Struve is coming into his own as far as striking, he is not on the level that Hunt is.

Hunt is a former K-1 Grand Prix Champion, and has earned five of his eight MMA wins by some form of (T)KO. Two of his wins that were not (T)KO's came against two of the most formidable strikers ever, in Wanderlei Silva and Mirko Cro Cop. 

In addition to that, he has 13 wins by (T)KO in kickboxing, and an overall record of 30-13.

Edge: Hunt

Wrestling

Neither fighter is particularly known for his wrestling, and it isn't likely to be the deciding factor in this fight.

There is very little to be said about the wrestling of either fighter.

Edge: Push

Submissions

Once again, this is a category that is as easy to decide as who has the better striking.

Six of Hunt's seven defeats have come by submission, and only twice did he last longer than five minutes.

On the other hand, 15 of Struve's 23 victories have come by submission.

It should be clear how each fighter intends to win the fight.

Edge: Stefan Struve

Strength and Conditioning

Strength and conditioning is another category that likely won't play a huge factor in the fight, and neither fighter really has a huge advantage in either area.

Struve has been to a decision once in 28 fights, and Hunt has gone to a decision three times in 15 fights.

Both of these men are finishers, and I wouldn't expect this fight to leave the second round.

However, due to Hunt's performance at UFC 135—which did take place in Denver—the conditioning edge has got to go to Struve.

Edge: Stefan Struve

Experience

Hunt has 53 professional fights, if you combine his kickboxing and MMA bouts. Struve has 28 MMA fights and four kickboxing bouts.

As far as numbers are concerned, Hunt has the clear edge. However, Struve has the edge in UFC fights, so it's not as though experience will negatively impact either fighter.

In this case, Hunt will get the edge based on his experience with higher-level fighters. Hunt has fought such greats as Fedor Emelianenko, Wanderlei Silva, Mirko Cro Cop, Alistair Overeem and Josh Barnett.

Edge: Mark Hunt

Variables

For Hunt, his biggest variable will be his chin. Hunt is known for having a granite chin, and through 58 fights, he has only been (T)KO'd three times—one of which was a corner stoppage. He should be able to take anything that Struve can throw at him. The other thing he will have to focus on is keeping the fight on the feet. If it hits the ground, he's in trouble.

Struve's biggest variable will be his chin as well, but not in the good way. Struve has been (T)KO'd four times in his career. All four came in the first round. Struve can't afford to start slow against someone like Hunt, and he has to be wary of an overhand right. His other variable will be his size. He will have a 13-inch height advantage, and a 10-inch reach advantage. He has to make good use of that.

Prediction

Hunt comes to finish fights. He goes out there looking for a knockout every time, and if he starts fast—and Struve starts slow—then it's going to be a short night.

If this one goes into the second or third rounds, I expect Struve to submit Hunt with an armbar or a kimura, but if it ends in the first, expect Hunt to have his hand raised while Struve is laid out on the ground.

Prediction: Mark Hunt by first round TKO.

Tim McTiernan is a Featured Columnist for Bleacher Report. For the latest news on everything MMA, follow him on twitter @TimMcTiernan.