The main card of UFC 110 features three battle-hardened Pride stars, all of whom are hoping to maintain the pulse of their storied careers by turning in convincing performances.  The seasoned veterans are taking on dangerous up-and-comers who want to make their mark and prove they're for real, and there is no better way to accomplish that than to knock-off of a veritable legend.

Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira represents everything honorable and classy about the sport, and he's rightfully earned the title of the world's second best heavyweight right behind the immortal Fedor Emelianenko.  He bears the distinguished honors of being the first Pride heavyweight champion, and also the first and only fighter to hold belts in both the UFC (interim heavyweight title) and Pride.

There is just something special about this guy.  He is MMA's original "comeback fighter" who has dazzled the world time and time again with dramatic, storybook-like submission victories after suffering prolonged beatings that caused even his most loyal and devout fans to outwardly cringe and call for the referee to stop the fight.  Although Demian Maia, Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza, and a handful of other fighters have entered MMA with a more gaudily decorated background in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, Antonio Rodrigo "Minotauro" Nogueira still sits proudly atop the heap as the undisputed king out of all the best submission fighters to ever compete.

As usual, Big Nog has his hands full.  Come fight-time, he will have a furiously tenacious, gorilla-like wrestler with an undefeated record standing across from him.  Cain Velasquez is one of the fastest rising heavyweights in the UFC; establishing this well-deserved status by rag-dolling and subsequently pummeling each and every fighter he's faced for convincing TKO stoppages, with Cheick Kongo's survival to a decision being the sole exception.

Velasquez is a member of the respected AKA team, one of the game's most highly regarded camps that has assisted in molding the two-time All American collegiate wrestler into a complete mixed martial artist.  Velasquez has been surrounded by gushing compliments and lofty praise from the people he's trained with, and he further legitimizes these claims with each foe that he crushes in his ascent to heavyweight stardom.

The strategies and strengths of both fighters are no mystery:  Nogueira is a silky-smooth spider off his back and will look to ensnare Velasquez in any submission opportunities that present themselves, while Velasquez will burst into action with an aggressive assault of ground-n-pound from the top that must be effectual enough to overwhelm Nogueira but harnessed enough to avoid overzealously opening himself up for Nogueira to catch him.

Keys to victory for Nogueira

Big Nog has the best sweep from the bottom in MMA, bar none.  While Velasquez is busy holding top-position and finding holes in Nogueira's defense to ram hammerfists through, Big Nog must keep his hips busy and use a lively guard to keep Velasquez at bay by continuously threatening with both sweeps and submissions.  A sweep may turn out to be just as foreboding as a submission, given that Velasquez' sterling grappling background translates beautifully to takedowns and relentless striking, but may be a liability if he finds himself underneath a technical wizard like Nogueira.

Both men are no slouches in the stand-up department, but Minotauro's boxing (and chin) is much more proven and will be a big factor any time the fight is not grounded.  Velasquez has impressed with how comfortable and natural he looks when striking on his feet, and he's shown startling speed and accuracy--but Kongo was the only fighter to test his beard, and Velasquez was visibly affected and obviously uncomfortable with the sting of leather when the crisp strikes landed.

Keys to victory for Velasquez

Intelligence and composure will serve the stout Mexican fighter well.  He's up against a wealth of experience, and a fighter that's consistently persevered through the highest level of adversity that MMA can offer.  He will walk a very fine line in keeping up the frenetic pace he's known for, as Nogueira has an entire encyclopedia of submissions that await him should he stomp on the throttle too hard or succumb to overconfidence if he's able to impose his will.

The second critical factor is something that only comes with years of training, and that's technique.  One of the many lessons we've learned in MMA is that size, strength, and athleticism can rarely compensate for the end result of years upon years of successfully applying martial arts technique at the elite level.  Muffling Nogueira's mythical staying power and evading the clutches of his entangling limbs for three straight rounds is the daunting task at hand for Cain Velasquez.

Conclusion

I won't mention "the F-word", but there is only one fighter on the face of the earth that I would pick to beat Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira.  Velasquez has all the tools and potential to defeat Big Nog, with his best chance resting on his ability to control and contain Nogueira in a very ill-advised position for a referee intervention, but again--we're talking about the best ground-fighter to grace the sport, even if his odometer is close to rolling.  Watch for Nogueira to underhook and butterfly sweep Velasquez to turn the tides by placing the young wrestler on his back and outside of his comfort zone.

Dallas' Pick:  Nogueira by sub          The Garv's Pick:  Nogueira by sub