The big boys are set to clash this weekend on FOX.

With UFC 194 in the books, it’s time to look forward to this weekends awesome card featuring a bout with a pair of heavyweight standouts known for their crushing power striking and massive frames. Junior dos Santos and Alistair Overeem will meet in the co-main event of UFC on Fox: Rafael dos Anjos vs Donald Cerrone. It’s a dream match up that MMA fans have been clamoring for back when Junior dos Santos was the undisputed UFC heavyweight champion and Alistair Overeem was the Strikeforce heavyweight champion. Now we finally have our chance, though the stakes won’t be quite as high. Both men are no longer champions, though they both have the distinction of having already beating the current UFC heavyweight champion Fabricio Weirdum. That fact alone brings a great deal of intrigue to the match up and most likely the match will produce the next contender for the heavyweight title.

Since his debut in MMA, Junior dos Santos has primarily been a boxing oriented fighter. With thunderous power, a good job, and blistering combinations, dos Santos has been a tough out for many an opponent, knocking out a great deal of them within the first round, namely a certain current UFC champion. Offensive grappling and wrestling have never been the former champion’s strong suit, though he has displayed great takedown defense. Luckily for dos Santos he won’t really have to worry much about that in this fight. If Cain Velasquez couldn’t get the former champ down, Overeem probably stands little chance. Speaking of the former Strikeforce champion, Alistair Overeem is perhaps on paper the biggest striking threat dos Santos has ever faced aside from Mark Hunt. Unlike his Brazilian foe, Overeem brings a much more diverse striking game to the table. With effective kicks, including the front, round, and low variations, Overeem has far more tools in his tool kit. “The Demolition Man” has some terrifying power of his own and some effective wrestling though I doubt he’ll be able to get dos Santos down. Coming from a Dutch kickboxing background, Overeem is slick at landing offense when he gets into striking range. And therein lies his problem.

Overeem is adept at landing offense, but usually lingers in the pocket for far too long. His chin isn’t the greatest at heavyweight and he has absorb more than his fair share of knockouts because of his refusal to exit striking range with his hands high. He could be on a tremendous winning streak if only he game planned better and refused to stand right in front of his opponents giving them the best and only opportunity to mount a counter offense. He’s had nearly all of his UFC opponents hurt or reeling from punishment only to be caught with a fight ending strike coming in with his hands down and his chin exposed. If Overeem hopes to stand any chance against “Cigano” then he’ll have to play a patient game, stay out of range of counter punches and use his kicking game effectively while maintaining a tight high guard. Unfortunately for Alistair, he’s never been the greatest defensive fighter and dos Santos’ proficiency to land counter punches will liking be the deciding factor of the fight. It’ll be fun while it lasts, but I’m going with Junior dos Santos by first round KO. Who do you think will win this heavyweight contest? Let us know in the comments and forums. Also, be sure to follow Generation Iron on Facebook and Twitter.