Roy Nelson is perhaps in must-win mode against Alistair Overeem -- who is arguably in a similar position -- on the main card of UFC 185. "Big Country" is coming off a 2nd round knockout loss versus Mark Hunt last September, marking his first knockout loss since he was felled by Andrei Arlovski in 2008. Another loss on Saturday would put him at 1-4 in his last 5 and in all likelihood take him out of the top 10 of the heavyweight rankings.
Nelson has prepared for this fight by training at American Top Team down in Florida, the same state where Alistair Overeem trained with the Blackzilians before hopping over to Greg Jackson's camp in New Mexico. Overeem has been with Jackson's MMA for his past two bouts, a TKO loss to Ben Rothwell and a TKO win over Stefan Struve, and remains in Albuquerque for the Nelson battle. While Nelson gave Overeem plenty of respect as a fighter, he says he is hoping that training at Jackson's doesn't result in a negative change in style. (Via Fox Sports)
"For me the biggest thing with Overeem, he's a K-1 champ, Strikeforce champ, DREAM champ, you name it, he's had every belt in there. I just hope that's the Alistair that comes out," Nelson explained. "I know he's getting better and better, but I just hope his fight style hasn't changed being over at Jackson's.
"I hope he comes to fight cause that's what fans want to see. They don't want to see point and run."
Parroting old arguments made by UFC president Dana White and former UFC light heavyweight champion Quinton Jackson, Nelson further elaborated on the "safe" style of Jackson fighters and how it's not good for the fans.
"I think the difference with Greg Jackson is it's smarter fighting, where it's safer. I don't want to say unpredictable but just safer so that you have a longer career," Nelson said.
"It's a good thing on the business side, a bad thing for the fans."
For the record, Carlos Condit, Donald Cerrone, Jon Jones, John Dodson, and Cub Swanson are among the big names who have been with Jackson for years.