Roy Nelson: ‘I’m getting a light version of Alistair Overeem with Matt Mitrione’ at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 16 Finale

I don't really see the similarities, but Roy Nelson seems to think Matt Mitrione, who "Big Country" will swing leather against at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) 16 Finale this weekend (Dec. 15, 2012) in Las Vegas, Nevada, is a lighter version of top heavyweight contender Alistair Overeem.

Sure, both "The Reem" and "Meathead" prefer to keep fights standing, however, the difference in the level of threat each man brings to the Octagon varies quite drastically and, with all due respect to Mitrione, Overeem's K-1 championship level striking is far superior to that of the three year mixed martial arts (MMA) pro.

And don't forget his 36-11 record.

Nevertheless, Nelson declared at this week's TUF 16 Finale media conference call that he will be fighting the lighter version of the Dutch striker in "Sin City," when he takes on the former NFL player, also saying he knew all along his original opponent, Shane Carwin, would pull out of their scheduled bout eventually:

"I figured Shane would pull out of the fight. This isn't the first time he's done it. I just didn't know when or where it would happen. One guy's a southpaw, one guy's orthodox. I can get a better camp than Shane Carwin and I think I'm getting a light version of Alistair Overeem with Matt Mitrione."

Though Nelson didn't elaborate on what exactly he meant when making the comparison, MMA fans would likely agree the two aren't exactly twins when it comes to their fighting credentials. Aside from both men training with "The Blackzilians," the heavyweights don't really have anything else in common as far as their fight game goes.

Or do they?

Mitrione was pegged as a late replacement to take on Nelson when Carwin came down with a knee injury.