Brock Lesnar vs. Alistair Overeem: A Complete Head-to-Toe Breakdown

One of the biggest fights in the history of the UFC's heavyweight division will occur at the end of this year.

Today, the UFC announced that not only have they signed former Strikeforce Heavyweight champion Alistair Overeem, but also that his first fight will be against the promotion's biggest buy—former UFC Heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar.

Both fighters are coming off injuries and will look to prove themselves as one the top heavyweights in the world.

The fight will take place at UFC 141 on December 30 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.

Here's how these two former champions match-up in a head-to-toe breakdown.

Striking

It is no secret that Alistair Overeem is one of the most feared strikers in the heavyweight division.

A former K-1 champion, Overeem has the best technique and some of the hardest strikes out there.  He has knocked out 14 of his opponents, including a knockout of Todd Duffee that took only 19 seconds.

To his credit, Brock Lesnar has improved his striking over his last few fights, but it is still his kryptonite and a weak facet of his game.

Lesnar was demolished by Shane Carwin in the stand-up and could not hang with Cain Velasquez, who neutralized his wrestling to take the UFC Heavyweight title.

Overeem may have some trouble knocking Lesnar out, but will have no problems out classing him on the feet.

Advatange: Overeem

Wrestling

A former NCAA heavyweight champion and two-time All-American, Brock Lesnar has the best pure wrestling in almost all of MMA.

Facing a heavy-handed Shane Carwin, Lesnar proved there's a big difference between being a Division I and a Division II champion.  Lesnar powered through a one-sided beating and was able to take Carwin down before finishing with a submission.

Alistair Overeem has not faced an opponent as decorated in wrestling as Lesnar.  Overeem does have a good grappling game, but the pure take down power and top control game of Lesnar is far superior.

Advantage: Lesnar

Submissions

The reason why Overeem is so dangerous is because his submission game is just as good as his striking.

19 out of 35 of Overeem's wins have come via submission, several by his infamous guillotine.

Overeem was the 2005 ADCC European champion and has submission wins over Mark Hunt and Vitor Belfort.  He has shown a diverse arsenal of submission moves and is a force to be reckoned with off his back.

Lesnar has a great top game and even has a tap out win over Shane Carwin, but he has not shown what skills he has, if any, off his back.

I'm sure his wrestling has put him ahead of the game in terms of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, but Overeem has the most experience and more success with submissions.

Advantage: Overeem

Experience

Although both fighters have a long history of success in all manners of competition, in just MMA, Overeem has way more experience.

Overeem has truly grown up in the sport, starting off in the early days of Pride against some of the biggest names in MMA history.  Although guys like Shogun Rua and Chuck Liddell have defeated Overeem, these losses have helped him evolve as a fighter.

As a champion, Overeem has taken over both Dream and Strikeforce while running through opponents in K-1.

Now on MMA's biggest stage, the UFC will be a true testing ground for Overeem, something that his experience will really help him with.

Lesnar has been competing since he was a boy and dominated the wrestling scene. He also has the media and fame experience to not get distracted by the big names and big paycheck.

When it comes to MMA, Lesnar is still a very young fighter with only seven fights under his belt.  To his credit, he has taken on some of the sport's toughest athletes and owns wins over Randy Couture, Shane Carwin and Frank Mir.

I still have to give the edge to Overeem though.

Advantage: Overeem

Cardio

Cardio is what saved Lesnar in his title defense against Shane Carwin.

After pummeling Lesnar for an entire round, Carwin gassed hard while Lesnar was just starting up.  Showing how good his conditioning is, Lesnar powered in for a take down before securing the arm-triangle.

Out of a total of 47 fights, Overeem has only gone the distance five times.  His ability to knock people out has prevented him from going into the later rounds. 

I don't expect cardio to be an issue for either fighter, but in a five round non-title match, I'd give the nod to Lesnar.

Advantage: Lesnar

Strength

Let's face it, both guys are just behemoths in the cage.

Tipping the scales at the 265 lb. maximum, Overeem and Lesnar are gigantic and freakishly strong.

Lesnar has used his size advantage to put guys down and to keep them there.  Working his ground and pound and his submission game from the top.

Overeem has gone up in weight classes as his career has gone on.  Only 19 when he made his professional debut, Overeem has transitioned from light-heavyweight to heavyweight and has packed on a ton of muscle.

It's pretty much even between these two in terms of strength.

Advantage: Even

Injuries

Overeem: After defeating Fabricio Werdum in the first round of the Strikeforce World Heavyweight Grand Prix, Overeem suffered a toe injury that subsequently coincided with his removal from both the tournament and Strikeforce.

Overeem felt that returning in September to continue in the tournament would have been too soon and as he would not be healed up in time.

With the fight booked for the end of December, Overeem will surely be all healed up and ready to go, barring any issues with training.

Lesnar: Suffering from a second bout with diverticulitis, Lesnar was unable to face Junior dos Santos after the Ultimate Fighter ended.  

Lesnar has not fought in almost a year but reports claim that he feels strong and healthy after a second surgery. 

Variables

Overeem: The multiple time former champion will have a big test waiting for him as he debuts in the UFC.  Overeem's last few opponents have not been the cream of the crop and the UFC will force him to have to step up.

As long as no injuries are nagging him, Overeem should have no outside distractions that should prevent him from bringing his all. 

Lesnar: The biggest draw in the UFC, Lesnar will have all eyes on him as he takes on a legitimate Top 5 heavyweight in his own return to the Octagon.

The layoff due to surgery will surely have some impact on him.  Lesnar will have to show that he still has the heart to continue his career because Overeem is going to hit hard.

Prediction

All the signs point in Overeem's favor entering into his UFC debut.

"Ubereem" has been undefeated in his last 11 fights and will have a huge advantage striking.

Lesnar is coming off a loss, a surgery and over a year layoff that will surely be a drag on his game.  He will have to look for the take down if he wants to win a shot to reclaim his belt as striking with a K-1 champion is never a good idea.

As long as he can keep it on the feet and utilize his guard if he does get taken down, then Overeem should have no problem taking the victory.

Prediction: Overeem via third round TKO.