Roy Nelson has shared the Octagon with both UFC heavyweight champion Stipe Miocic and title challenger Alistair Overeem.
While those two meet at UFC 203 later this year, Nelson is focused in on taking out Derrick Lewis at UFC Fight Night 90 this week before a possible rematch with either Miocic or Overeem.
The 40-year-old Nelson dropped a 2015 decision to Overeem and was bested – also via decision – by the hands of Miocic in 2013.
“Alistair’s not his old self,” said Nelson following open workouts recently (thanks to MMAjunkie for the quotes). “He’s an athlete now. Stipe’s an athlete. They’re not that old-school fighter where they’re really trying to knock you out. They’re trying to play that little (game). You got to watch that because they’re heavyweights and there’s that one punch. I would probably give it to Stipe because he’s a better athlete.”
Nelson (21-12) is coming off a February win over Jared Rosholt.