- WSL
- WSL

Mark Occhilupo is one of pro surfing's greatest heroes. The Australian legend is largely responsible for the Tour we all know and love today, thanks to his incredible rivalry with Tom Curren throughout the 1980s that set it on fire. He also paved the way for Kelly Slater to get comfortable competing after the age of 30, by coming back from the dead to capture his World Title in 1999. At the time, Occy was the oldest World Champ in history.

Occy On the Spot
0:59
We asked former Pipe Masters champs Mark Occhilupo and Rob Machado which way they think the 2017 race will go.

Today, Occy is more loved than ever, and thanks to his new Occ-Cast, he's staying pretty busy. He just might become surfing's first Oprah, too, because let's face it, who's going to turn down an interview with one of surfing's greatest legends? Kelly Slater, Dane Reynolds, Mick Fanning, Joel Parkinson and Mason Ho are just a select few of the guests he's had on. But now he's starting to branch out. His latest interview is with Iggy Pop, the godfather of punk who recently collaborated with Billabong on a new collection.

During a recent filming for a future Occ-Cast with former Championship Tour star Rob Machado we managed to put both of them on the spot for their thoughts on this year's World Title race. Given they're both former Pipe Masters champions and know a thing or two about Title races, we figured their picks are about as legit as any. Here's how it went down.

World Title Showdown: Who Needs What to Win
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The 2017 World Title race is much closer than you think, and the Billabong Pipe Masters will settle it all. Details here.
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