Cole Konrad, Two-Time NCAA Champ and Brock Lesnar Training Partner, Added to Matrix Fights 1 on February 21
PRESS RELEASE:
In a major announcement, the Philadelphia-based Matrix Fights (www.MatrixFights.com) promotion revealed today that former two-time NCAA heavyweight champion Cole Konrad has been added to the promotion’s inaugural event on Saturday, Feb. 27 at The Arena in Philadelphia, PA.
Konrad is one of UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar’s training partners who made his professional MMA debut on Jan. 23 in Fargo, ND. With Lesnar in his corner, Konrad submitted Gary Hamen via polar bear choke at 1:13 of round 1. The highly anticipated debut has become a YouTube sensation and the dominant victory solidified Konrad’s standing as the top unsigned prospect in mixed martial arts.
“The addition of a fighter with the pedigree of Cole Konrad is a tremendous coup for Matrix and a strong example of our intent to become the premier MMA organization in the city of Philadelphia,” said Matrix Fights President Jimmy Binns Jr. “We were very satisfied with the existing card we had in place but with this being our first event, we wanted to really make a statement. Landing Cole Konrad’s second-ever professional MMA bout is about as big of a statement that a regional promotion can make.”
Konrad is currently being pursued by major fight organizations such as the Tokyo-based DREAM and U.S.-based Bellator Fighting Championships organization. Despite having a potential lucrative contract at stake, Konrad will be facing a stiff test against Joel Wyatt, 5-2, out of Richmond, Virginia.
“Joel Wyatt is a purple belt in jiu-jitsu and rated by UltMMA.com as a top 15 unsigned heavyweight prospect. This is not some setup fight for Cole. It is a prospect vs. prospect bout that I expect to be very competitive,” said Matrix Fights promoter Phil Migliarese. “Cole is taking a major risk here but as bad as we wanted him on the show, we did not want to do our fans a disservice by trying to pad his record. Make no mistake, Cole will be tested and there are no guarantees he’s going to pass.”
In addition to training with Lesnar in Alexandria, MN, Konrad also trains under Greg Nelson in Minneapolis, MN at the Minnesota Martial Arts Academy, home to top fighters such as former UFC lightweight champion Sean Sherk, UFC heavyweight Chris Tuchscherer, former BodogFIGHT welterweight champion Nick Thompson, former NCAA All-American Paul Bradley, and highly rated middleweight prospect Brett “The Natural Disaster” Stevens.
The Konrad vs. Wyatt bout is being billed as a “special attraction,” with the night’s main event featuring EliteXC veteran Matt Makowski (5-2) of Philadelphia, PA taking on former IFL draft finalist LeVon Maynard (9-5) of Virginia Beach, VA in a clash of welterweight prospects. The fight will serve as a long-awaited MMA-rules rematch to their 2006 Muay Thai encounter at the WKA Championships in which Makowski was the victor.
In addition to Konrad vs. Wyatt and Makowski vs. Maynard, Matrix Fights 1 (card subject to change) will also feature pro bouts between Aaron Miesner of Philadelphia, PA vs. Francois Ambang of Richmond, VA; Will Martinez in his Philadelphia debut vs. Mitch Lyons of Dayton, OH; and former United States Marine Julio Rosario vs. Steven Baker of Wilmington, DE.
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Pictured: Cole Konrad
Tags: Cole Konrad
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This gets me to a-wondering…
First I wonder whether or not Konrad in training with Lesnar at Greg Nelson’s is also training catch-wrestling under Erik Paulson.
Second I wonder what the specifics are of a “polar bear” choke.
Third, I wonder how long Konrad will remained “unsigned” by a major org.
And finally, I wonder if those HWs, especially the non-wrestlers, competing at 230-245 can actually SEE the writing on the wall, or if they still think they’ll continue to thrive when locked in cages with some ground-pounding, chest-beating silverback looking to make a statement by tearing off their head and sh!tting down their necks…
Ya its surprising Strikeforce doesn’t jump on signing him
They might if Konrad silverbacks this guy Wyatt in February…
I believe Konrad is under Pauson too. He was doing graduate assistant work w/ the Gophers for awhile I believe. He’ll be signed quickly believe me. There’s no way the UFC wants to lose out on both Cormier and a guy like Konrad who could add more youth to the division.
The polar bear choke is a great variant of the rear naked choke for transitioning wrestlers who are not comfortable sinking in hooks(or running legs) in(as few heavyweights do due to the massive size of many heavy weights thighs in NCAA wrestling). Essentially, you crossface hard to the opponents far shoulder from back side control. Then you drop the crossfacing arm from the chin to the neck, while isolating the near arm, then sink in the choke lock using either gable grip or the regular RNC grip if you can reach.
I do believe the writing on the wall is being seen. I was working a SAMBO clinic at a friend’s dojo and when I would go live-sparring w/ the guys my college wrestling fundamentals kick in on the ground and I can smother guys until I get what I want from other heavyweights who aren’t wrestlers. Those basics just aren’t in most combat martial arts that were built for combat rather than sport. I’ve even offered to start teaching MMA oriented wrestling because it is a valuble skill set.
Much obliged for the clarification on the polar bear choke. From your description, it almost sounds like its being used by wrestlers the way the old Severn choke was back in the day.
And as for Konrad, IMO all he needs to do is maul and brawl Wyatt into an impressive finish, and his cell will be blowing up by the time he gets out of the shower…
well Severn was a 4x AA at Arizona State, and a lot of guys just aren’t comfortable with hooks until you truly learn how to balance and recover. It doesn’t matter in MMA like it does in wrestling but you know how hard it is to break the mold of what you’ve been taught for years.
^^^ Truth…
he just looks like a fat ass
say that to his face see what happens
The picture of him on the main page makes him look like a fat lady. I know it’s the same as the pick above, it’s just the way it’s cropped. How’s that for some quality MMA insight…..