Brock Lesnar's Training Partner and Two-Time NCAA Wrestling Champion, Cole Konrad Signs With Bellator
by Anton Tabuena on Feb 28, 2010 1:20 AM EST
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Cole Konrad (2-0), Brock Lesnar's training partner, just won his second pro fight against Joel Wyatt tonight, and when asked about his future plans on the post-fight interview, the 6-foot-5, two-time NCAA wrestling champ announced his signing with Bellator Fighting Championships:
"I’m excited to sign with Bellator. It’s a great opportunity to fight for a great company and I’m just really excited for what the future holds with this company."
Bellator CEO, Bjorn Rebney talked about signing the heavyweight prospect:
"Cole Konrad brings some great characteristics to the table that could make him a force at heavyweight. Brock Lesner’s dominance in the UFC has shown the impact that an elite, world-class wrestler can have in the heavyweight division. As a two-time NCAA heavyweight champion who is aggressively rounding out his MMA arsenal, Cole’s potential is unlimited. We are happy to be teaming up with him and, as a company, we are excited with what the future may hold."
"We are happy not only to announce our long-term deal with him but to reveal that fans will be able to see his next fight on one of our nationally televised May events on FOX Sports Net, NBC and Telemundo."
Cole Konrad's first pro fight is in the extended entry.
Fight starts at the 2:30 mark.
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Bellator has got their shit together.
"I hope he tries to stand with me. That'd be great, I'd love it." - Heath Herring UFC 87 pre-fight interview.
Feeder Org?
Wil Bellator eventually become the UFC’s breeding ground for the heavier divisions? Brock has to have some influence in where Konrad was gonna sign. He’s not ready for the UFC, so he signs with Bellator, and SF gets nowhere near him.
Bellator seems to be doing it right, not trying to compete with the UFC and staying within their means. The UFC never has a problem with regional/smaller organizations, and with Cole signing with them, maybe it’s the start of a good business relationship.
This is a great signing for Bellator. Cole could probably compete with the lower end of the UFC HW division right now, just based on his dominating wrestling, but UFC HW division is heavy on his training partners right now, Lesnar, Tuchshecher, and Madsen. This makes sense, especially since Bellator sounds like it will be running a HW tourney in the Fall.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Zuffa try to buy out Bellator at somepoint. Alot of good young talent under contract, and a nice video library just from the first season.
Fedor isn’t in bad shape though. That’s just his natural body type. Conrad has flab that actually jiggled when he moved.
Twitter: @FlyByKnite
by FlyByKnight on Feb 28, 2010 10:35 PM EST up reply actions
Bellator is doing a great job.
In comparison with MFC, StrikeForce Challengers, KOTC, Shine Fights and the few other lower talent pool promotions, Bellator seems to be picking up the best new guys. With Joe Warren, Ben Askren, Dan Hornbuckle, and now Cole Konrad, Bellator is lining up a potentially very strong set of competitors. The question is whether or not any of these guys will be good enough to challenge the veteran fighters.
Hornbuckle only has two fights at a semi elite level. I think he could use a few more fights before stepping onto gsp’s turf.
Sure glad Lesnar got his shit straightened out.
by judonerd on Feb 28, 2010 9:54 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
First of all he has a great shape, it’s called round.
Second of all, is everyone on here saying that Bellator is making a great signing because of how good this guy is or because he’s Brock’s training partner? If this headline read “Heath Herrings training partner Cole Konrad signs with Bellator” do we still get really excited based on that first fight and the shape he came in at?
Credentials
Cole has the pedigree of a prospect that is worth keeping an eye on. If Herring trained with someone like Cole, I believe it would be headline worthy…Brock certainly doesn’t hurt though.
big deals because this guy has one of, if not THE best wrestling credentials in the HW division. Yes, even better than Brock. He’s a two time NCAA champ involved in a couple of the most classic matches ever. People will bitch about his body but he’s always looked that way and if anything he’s getting in better shape than his collegiate years.
"I fight because I can’t sing, I can’t dance, and it beats working all day. Now ask me a question that doesn’t sound so fucking stupid." – Phil Baroni
Are you serious?
Cole Konrad is a big deal, regardless of his training partners.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
by Blackout612 on Feb 28, 2010 11:15 AM EST up reply actions
thx for the reply’s cubsin2010, midwestbred, and blackout612. I did read this with an eye of skepticism but I was actually honest with my question of “would this be a big deal if…”
I do my best to keep up with UFC fighters, and some strikeforce, but I have no hope when it comes to amateur guys. That’s why I come to BE to get the inside info. I’ll keep an eye on this guy when he makes it to the UFC
Fun Fact: Konrad beat Cain Velasquez in the 2006 Semifinals, the year he won his first NCAA championship.
Cole Konrad
“Submissions by Lesnar, body by Tuchshecher”
Bellator seems about right for him.
BTW – no, you can’t compete at the top of the UFC HW division with a body like that. Not in 2010 and beyond. Will he put in the work to make it better, alot better? I hope so.
thats the dumbest thing ive ever heard
by Austin Martin on Feb 28, 2010 9:06 AM EST up reply actions
What an odd thing to say.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
MMA Editor - SBNation.com
by Brent Brookhouse on Feb 28, 2010 9:26 AM EST up reply actions
U r rong
Sure glad Lesnar got his shit straightened out.
by judonerd on Feb 28, 2010 9:56 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
roy nelson does and he looks 7 months pregnant
Renzo Gracie: I was doing this when BJ was on his fathers nutsack.
by SerraJitsu0876 on Feb 28, 2010 10:38 AM EST up reply actions
I was at the fight tonight
He beat up a guy who looked at least 30lbs lighter. The guy was the definition of a tomoato can. Hard to tell where his skills actually are.
by Nick Travaglini on Feb 28, 2010 7:45 AM EST reply actions
well he's 6'5, and cuts to 265 right?
Like Lesnar, He’ll naturally have at least a 30lb advantage over most HWs..
by Anton Tabuena on Feb 28, 2010 8:29 AM EST via mobile up reply actions
The fight was stopped after the first real shot was landed and his opponent’s eye swelled shut almost instantly. Very anti climactic.
by Nick Travaglini on Feb 28, 2010 2:31 PM EST up reply actions
Hah
I love how so many people are judging Conrad off of looks. I hope his opponents aren’t as ignorant. He might not be the genetic monster that Lesnar is, but what he doesn’t have in physical condition, he more than makes up for in skill.
"You guys are jerking eachother off with some pseudo deep bullshit." - Kid Nate
Exactly...
and watching any of his epic wrestling matches, it’s not like he has ever had bad conditioning.
The above comment that he can’t compete at the top of the division with his build is really odd. This isn’t a bodybuilding competition.
Editor - BloodyElbow.com - SBNation's mixed martial arts headquarters.
MMA Editor - SBNation.com
by Brent Brookhouse on Feb 28, 2010 9:55 AM EST up reply actions
BJ Penn is in the top 5 pound for pound fighters, and only recently has he started not looking squishy in his fights. I understand the criticism because it is the Heavyweight division and typically if you see a guy with Conrad’s build…you know what you’re going to get.
But you DO NOT win two NCAA championships, and not be in good physical shape. My guess is, his body is weird. I’ve met guys who weigh 135lbs, nothing but muscle, and have absolutely no cardio. I’ve also met guys who weigh 300lbs, not look in shape, and go through some intense training without keeling over.
It’s all good though, let’s see if oddsmakers are this dumb…
"You guys are jerking eachother off with some pseudo deep bullshit." - Kid Nate
by Kaleb Kelchner on Feb 28, 2010 11:53 AM EST up reply actions
This thread is hilarious
I don’t want to fuck him, I just want to watch him fight.
Blackout612- "Wuts teh UFC?"
Ubernoober- "It like two guy who just stand and swing for fence and try to knock each other shit out it awesome"
I take it you’re not a chubby chaser?
Keep firing Assholes!
Blackout is always right
by Ubernoober on Feb 28, 2010 12:25 PM EST up reply actions 2 recs
Exciting Times for the HW Division
So many exciting prospects now …
If nothing else, the overall athleticism of HW is 10x what it used to be.
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