Pros Pick: Silva vs. Sonnen

Jeff Joslin: Anderson was one of my favorite fighters to watch a while back after some great performances and humble post fight interviews. Unfortunately, I don’t feel the same anymore, as his in-cage antics, showboating, taunting and hesitation to engage have caused me to no longer look forward to his bouts. I’m picking Chael Sonnen to win by decision by scoring takedowns and dishing out steady ground-and-pound throughout the fight. Hopefully, after it’s all over, we have a new middleweight champ.

Benji Radach: This is going to be a fun fight to watch, depending on if Chael has his dancing shoes on that night or not (laughs).

Bill Mesi: Here it is again, the classic “I’m a better wrestler than he is a striker matchup. I’ll just take him down and pound his head in.” Some of my most memorable beatdowns have followed up these exact words. That seems to be everyone’s fail-proof strategy against Anderson, and although I don’t care for either fighter, I have to go with “The Spider” on this one. It’ll be super boring, with flashes of beatdown. Anderson via third-round TKO.

Jason Dent: I’m picking and pulling for Anderson in this fight. Regardless of what happened in Anderson’s last couple fights, I’m still and will always be a huge fan. I see Anderson finishing this fight with a submission after hurting and wearing Sonnen out on his feet. I can see Sonnen actually getting Anderson down, but I think Anderson will drop some elbows on Sonnen’s head. This is a five-round fight, which means Anderson has plenty of time to work.

Mike Ciesnolevicz: Chael Sonnen is gonna go big brother on Anderson and rough him up. You better believe it’s gonna be a hoe down when Chael Sonnen enters the Octagon. Anderson is an amazing fighter, but after his last performances against [Patrick] Cote, [Thales] Leites and [Demian] Maia, I hope he loses. If he does that [stuff] against Chael, I hope Dana White cuts him.

Robin Black: People think Sonnen has been trash talking, but he hasn’t. He’s just been “truthing.” Sonnen is tougher than Silva. He says so, and I believe him. Silva is getting fired Aug. 8 and Sonnen is becoming the champ and a hero to millions.

Ray Elbe: “The Spider” picks up the submission sometime in the first round.

Eddy Millis: I have been going back and forth on this one. Chael is a juggernaut, and I really believe he has what it takes to win. Anderson Silva is an enigma. I think that Chael may be too focused on the takedown, resulting in a brutal knee KO by Silva. If he mixes it up and creates some misdirection, Chael could surprise Silva. In the end, my gut says Silva by knee KO.

Marvin Eastman: Silva wins by KO in the third.

Josh Thomson: Don’t know what round, but Silva is either gonna fight conservatively or now care what Dana White says and fight to win. Either way, Chael’s f---ed, I believe.

Din Thomas: Anderson is going to knock him out, and [Barack] Obama will still be president. Chael is going to be hating life.

Ryan Schultz: I take Chael. He is going to smother him with ground control and beat him down with relentless ground-and-pound. Anderson won’t have an answer for Chael’s superior all-around skills.

Ricardo Liborio: Anderson Silva wins by “verbal” tapout.

Josh Neer: Anderson Silva by first round KO. I predict he will play with Chael for the first minute and then take him out with a knee when Chael shoots.

Seth Petruzelli: Chael and Silva circle each other in the ring. Chael starts trash talking right away, and Silva responds by putting his hands down and taunting him. This continues for five rounds until nobody has thrown one punch but both have made fun of each other.

Dan Hardy: I think that Sonnen will get caught with a shot in the first round trying to take Silva down. He will get cut but manage to grind out a decision over five rounds. Silva will be too passive and not attempt to get back to his feet.

Greg Nelson: Verbally, Chael has kicked some serious ass. Anderson has to make a statement in this fight. If Anderson is on point and his former fighting self, it could be rough for Chael as long as [Anderson] stays on the feet and drops bombs. If Chael can deal with the strikes and get to the inside and get Anderson to the ground, his tenacity and nonstop grind could be a problem for Anderson. Who do I want to win? Chael. Who do I think is going to win? Anderson. Do I hope I’m wrong? Yes. I like to listen to Chael bark. Hopefully, he can sink his jaws down on Anderson before he gets hit with a stick.

Matt Mitrione: I think, believe and almost pray to the gods of all that is holy that Chael Sonnen loses. I’m usually pro USA, but sweet Jesus guy, give it a rest.

Thiago Goncalves: Anderson will knock out with a knee to the mouth.

Scott Smith: Chael Sonnen wins. He is a good ol’ boy who is too hungry.

Carlos Barreto: Although many people think it will be an easy fight for Anderson, I watch with caution. “The Spider” is much better, but Sonnen may complicate Anderson with his good quality wrestling. That pressure should last no more than two rounds, because Silva is motivated. And as everyone knows, when he’s willing to fight, it’s hard for his opponent to handle the pressure. Anderson by TKO in the third round.

Tom Vaughn: I’m a big Anderson Silva fan. He is an amazing fighter that brings art to MMA. Silva has taken a lot of heat for his antics in certain fights, but I think he’s been put in some fights he had nothing more to gain than a paycheck. If Anderson doesn’t knock someone’s head into the third row, people think he’s having a bad night. The truth is some styles are harder for Silva to do what he does well, and when that happens, he clowns and plays it safe. Sonnen has the style that brings out the best in Anderson Silva. Chael is going to bring the fight to Anderson, and he’s going to pay the piper for doing so. Sonnen’s been selling it just a little too hard, and I think he’s trying to convince himself as much as he’s trying to convince MMA fans. Anything can happen in MMA, but I don’t think it's time for Anderson Silva to fall from grace. I’m going with Anderson Silva via TKO in round three.

Marcos Galvao: Anderson wins. He’s a complete fighter and very experienced in that division. I don’t see anyone winning against him.

Jeff Monson: Sonnen by decision

Carina Damm: Anderson wins, for sure. For me, he’s the best fighter of all time. He’s aggressive and very technical, too.

James Zikic: Anderson Silva by second-round TKO.

Pedro Rizzo: I think Anderson will eventually knock him out in first round.

Nam Phan: I would say Chael Sonnen will win by verbal beatdown. Also, I think he will be able to take him down and work his ground-and-pound to steal the belt.

Amilcar Alves: Anderson wins by killing Sonnen’s wrestling game and working his muay Thai.

Pros who picked Silva: 30
Pros who picked Sonnen: 9
Pros who couldn’t decide: 7

You can contact Mike Sloan at www.facebook.com/mikesloan19 or follow him on Twitter @mikesloan19. Gleidson Venga contributed to this report.