Bellator Signs Heavyweight Cole Konrad, a Precursor to New Divisions?

Bellator announced that they have signed heavyweight Cole Konrad (2-0) to a contract. Konrad is known throughout the MMA community as a training partner for Brock Lesnar on top of being  a two-time NCAA wrestling champion.

The signing of Cole could be viewed as a precursor to Bellator's rumored expansion for season three. Currently the promotion features four weight classes (featherweight, lightweight, welterweight, middleweight) each with champions that were decided during the inaugural season. Season two will determine the number one contenders for each champion through tournaments while season three will feature the actual title fights (Bellator's champions will engage in "super fights", e.g., Eddie Alvarez vs. Josh Neer, during season two).

The plan for season three is to add three possibly four divisions and feature tournaments to crown champions in each new division. Currently it is rumored that they will add bantamweights (135 lbs.), light heavyweights (205 lbs.), heavyweights (265 lbs.) and a female division for the third season. 

Perhaps Cole Konrad is the first participant for a heavyweight tournament later this year?

Yet, such an expansion for Bellator posses certain difficulties, namely depth. As of this moment there is a serious shortage of talent in the heavyweight division (see: season ten of The Ultimate Fighter) and the light heavyweight division, which poses a serious problem for a promotion perceived as a destination for prospects. Besides, what prospects are available are immediately scooped up by the UFC e.g., Shane Carwin, Cain Velasquez, Todd Duffee and Phil Davis. 

It will be intersting to see what kind of talent Bellator can find or if they attempt to adapt their tournaments for the heavier weight classes. WKR can't wait to see what they do next, which is saying something compared to another national promotion *cough Strikeforce cough*.

Press Release:

PHILADELPHIA, Penn. (February 27, 2010) - Two-time NCAA heavyweight wrestling champion Cole Konrad is the latest highly sought-after MMA prospect to join Bellator Fighting Championships growing roster of top fighters.

Konrad made the revelation during a backstage interview earlier tonight following a first round TKO (doctor's stoppage) of Joel Wyatt during a Matrix Fights event in Philadelphia.

The win improved Konrad's professional record to 2-0. Konrad broke the news during a post-fight interview after he was asked about his plans for the future. He said that he had been pursued by a variety of other promotions, but made the choice to sign with Bellator.

"I'm excited to sign with Bellator," Konrad said. "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."

In attendance to watch Konrad's performance was Bellator Fighting Championships founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney, who addressed his promotion's latest blue chip acquisition with the media following the event.

"Cole Konrad brings some great characteristics to the table that could make him a force at heavyweight," Rebney said. "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."

Prior to making his professional MMA debut earlier this month in Fargo, N.D., Konrad's greatest claim to fame in the sport had been his role as a full-time training partner of current UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar. Konrad is a fixture at Lesner's training camps in Alexandria, Minn.

Konrad's professional debut took place on Jan. 23 with the former aspiring NFL offensive lineman recording his first-ever win just 1:07 into Round 1 following a "polar bear choke" against Gary Hamen. With his formidable amateur wrestling credentials and close affiliation with Lesnar, Konrad's recent entry into the professional MMA ranks is a hot topic among fight fans.

According to Matrix Fights promoters, ticket sales and media requests surged dramatically following the surprise announcement early this month that Konrad had been added to the co-main event of its first-ever show.

"Cole has already generated quite a buzz," Rebney said. "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."

Bellator's second season will continue for 11 consecutive weeks following the April 8 kickoff in Florida with a third season already planned and slated to start in August.

After making a strong debut in its first season last year on ESPN Deportes, Rebney announced a landmark television deal this past fall that included new partnerships with FOX Sports Net, NBC, and Telemundo. Much like Season 1, Bellator will be conducting tournaments at 145, 155, 170, and 185 lbs. during Season 2 with the winners earning title shots against the promotion's respective champions in each weight class.