Stipe Miocic vs. Mark Hunt: A Full Head-to-Toe Breakdown

UFC Fight Night 65 comes your way this Saturday, and the event features a top-five heavyweight main event.

No. 4-ranked heavyweight contender Stipe Miocic battles No. 5-ranked Mark Hunt in a bout scheduled for five rounds. The event sees the UFC return to Australia for the first time since November.

With the heavyweight title unification bout between interim champion Fabricio Werdum and champion Cain Velasquez scheduled for UFC 188, this heavyweight tilt could propel the winner into a title match later this year. The heavyweight division is thin, and these are two of the most marketable challengers available.

Miocic and Hunt are both coming off losses. Miocic lost a hard-fought decision to former champion Junior dos Santos, and Hunt came up short against Werdum in the interim title tilt.

Who has the advantages this weekend? That's what we are here to find out.

This is your complete breakdown of this exciting heavyweight matchup.

Miocic has good power and quality boxing, but he will lag just behind Hunt in the stand-up.

A lot is still made of his K-1 wins and kickboxing background, but it's time to focus on his striking inside the Octagon alone. Recent fights are far more important. He is still technically sound but not as good as he once was. Hunt has certainly slowed over the years, but his speed is still deceptive.

Miocic will be able to find success on his feet, but it is not his best bet.

Both guys love to exchange, and that plays into Hunt's favor much more.

Hunt has a solid chin and good head movement. He can evade Miocic's standard boxing attacks and respond in vicious fashion.

Edge: Hunt

Miocic is not a top-tier wrestler, but he does have the advantage in grappling without much argument.

The one area where Hunt may find success is grappling against the cage. He does a good job of positioning his opponent on the fence and working his offense in tight. Miocic can match him there, and everywhere else it's solidly in Miocic's favor.

He is faster and a better athlete. Hunt's takedown defense has improved, but if Miocic times it right, he won't have any problems putting Hunt on the canvas.

Hunt's grappling has gotten better during his UFC stint, but he will almost always be behind against the elite in this category.

Edge: Miocic

Typically, I would say not to expect a submission, but this could be the path of least resistance for Miocic.

Hunt does not have great submissions, but he has tried to use some in recent fights. They just have not been technically proficient. He has also showed good submission defense. Roy Nelson took him down, yet Hunt survived, and he played in Werdum's guard and survived.

Regardless, it is still his biggest weakness.

Miocic has yet to show finishing ability with his submissions in his MMA career, but he has the capability. And the deeper the fight goes, the more opportunities he will have against Hunt. I wouldn't place money on a submission in this matchup, but I wouldn't be flabbergasted if that's how Miocic won the fight.

Edge: Miocic

Hunt's X-Factor: Cardio

Hunt's improved takedown defense may be able to stop Miocic in the early rounds, but as he begins to fade, it will be increasingly difficult. That is why his cardio will play a huge factor Saturday.

Hunt must be able to defend. His striking style won't tire him out, but constantly defending Miocic's grappling will.

The Super Samoan increases his chances of landing the KO blow the longer he can force Miocic to stand.

Miocic's X-Factor: Fight IQ

Miocic is an intelligent fighter, but he loves to scrap too much. We saw that in the Junior dos Santos fight.

It plays well for the fans but not for longevity, especially against a striker like Hunt. If Miocic wants to go punch-for-punch with Hunt, he will wind up unconscious.

Miocic will need to stay technical while striking and look for opportunities to take Hunt down. Or at the very least, look for opportunities to force Hunt into a defensive shell. He cannot trade with The Super Samoan for five rounds.

Each time Hunt fights against elite competition, my brain tells me to pick against him. Sometimes I listen, and other times my love for The Super Samoan causes me to pick him.

Perhaps this is one of those times.

Miocic is younger, faster and more athletic than Hunt; Miocic is the better all-around fighter. But Hunt's one-punch KO ability leads me to pick him here.

Miocic will get caught up in another dangerous striking exchange, and Hunt's deceptive speed will allow him to sneak a left hook onto Miocic's chin. Lights out. Expect another walkaway KO for Hunt this weekend.

Prediction: Hunt defeats Miocic by KO in the second round.