UFC 146 Predictions: Junior Dos Santos vs. Frank Mir

Junior dos Santos has enjoyed an empathic rise through the heavyweight division, going from contender to UFC champion, solidifying his status as the best heavyweight fighter in the world.

Dos Santos will match up against heavyweight submission artist Frank Mir, who replaces original challenger Alistair Overeem after he failed a pre-fight drug test.

Overeem's absence will affect some of the appeal from the main card, but the headliner is still an intriguing bout. 

If anything, this fight can be easily sold as a grudge match after Mir submitted dos Santos' trainer and mentor, Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira, at UFC 141 last year. But the Brazilian hasn't become too invested in the emotional aspect and only intends on making a successful title defense.

And it could very well be the first of many for the 27-year-old. 

Dos Santos holds the best boxing in the heavyweight division, possessing speed, power and technique. Out of his nine UFC victories, seven have ended by knockout and only two have gone the distance. And only one knockout victory has come out of the first round. He also has shown excellent take-down defense as well. According to FightMetric.com, dos Santos has stopped 85 percent of his opponents' takedowns and has only spent a total of 13 seconds on the ground. 

For a majority of his career, the Las Vegas resident has always had the odds stacked against him, but Mir has somehow pulled through adversity.

Some oddsmakers have labelled Mir as a 5-1 underdog. And while the Brazilian is rightfully favoured to win, Mir has the tools to compete with the champion. 

He has polished his striking in recent years, knocking out fighters like Mirko Cro Cop, Cheick Kongo and Nogueira, but his main strength in his submissions. In 16 career victories, Mir owns eight submission wins and holds 14 wins in the heavyweight division, a UFC record. 

Mir will need to bring this fight to the ground to have any success. He cannot execute a takedown from a distance because of how efficient dos Santos' defense is. His best bet is to clinch and try for a sweep or pull guard.

However, Mir does not have the wrestling ability to go to the ground, and he will be peppered with strikes anytime he attempts to close the distance with the champion. 

Watch for dos Santos to set the pace early, setting up his jab and pressing forward, where he will begin to land combinations. It won't take long for "Cigano" to get comfortable and find his range, and he will land at will, finishing Mir in the first round.

Prediction: Junior dos Santos via first-round knockout.