Cole Konrad, Bellator Heavyweight Champion hangs up his gloves

Bellator Heavyweight champion Cole Konrad (9-0 MMA, 7-0 BFC) has retired, the promotion announced today. Konrad walks away from MMA with an unblemished record and is set to become an agriculture commodities trader specializing in dairy products.
The Wisconsin-native stated: “This decision has been on my mind for a while, and the time was finally right to make the move.”
Konrad wrestled for the University of Minnesota, where he was a Division I national champ in 2006 and 2007, a four-time All-America

News in Review: Jon Jones, GSP vs. Silva, Weidman vs. Boetsch, ONE FC

In less than two weeks, we’ll finally have a good reason to forget about Jon Jones’ controversial decision to decline the fight with Chael Sonnen at UFC 151. But until then, it’s time to look back at four of the biggest news topics that made headlines in the world of Mixed Martial Arts over the past few weeks.
We had Tito Ortiz adding his name to the list of fighters upset with Jon Jones’ decision-making process, the talk about Anderson Silva vs. Georges St. Pierre being in works

Has Jon Jones become the most hated champion in UFC history?

It is no secret that UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jon Jones has lost several fans in the aftermath of the cancellation of UFC 151. Many blamed Jones for the event’s demise for backing out of an impromptu fight with former Middleweight challenger Chael Sonnen. While he agreed to fight later in the month against Lyoto Machida and ultimately Vitor Belfort after Machida changed his mind, Dana White was quick to rush and blame Jones and his camp for being completely at fault. There are tons of details

Hector Lombard and four other most disappointing debuts in the UFC

When it comes to MMA promotions, the UFC is the biggest kid on the block. The best fighters in the world fight in the Octagon and the competitive level is second to none. Very often fighters will have successful runs in second and third tier promotions and go on to success in the UFC. However, there are a few that follow that same pattern only to find themselves totally outclassed in their Octagon debut.If it is “UFC Jitters”, it is usually bypassed by the second fight. However, if it goes beyond that,

Dana White: I expect UFC 100 numbers for Silva vs. Sonnen II

Speaking at yesterday’s UFC 148 media conference call, UFC President Dana White declared high hopes for the card that arguably the most anticipated rematch in MMA history, Anderson Silva vs. Chael Sonnen II. White was not bashful in his declaration of expectations for the event:
“There’s no doubt that we expect over 1 million buys here. We expect UFC 100 numbers.”
The bar has been set quite high for the UFC by its President, who has already set the comparisons to 2009’s summer blockbuster in motion. The

Lorenzo Fertitta: Alistair Overeem’s fate is in the NSAC’s hands

UFC co-owner Lorenzo Fertitta announced today that Alistair Overeem will not be scheduled to fight for the UFC until reinstated by the NSAC.  Currently suspended for nine months with elevated Testosterone levels,  Overeem could possibly be eligible to fight in late December. When asked about a possible year-end fight for Overeem, Fertitta quoted the following on the subject:
“That’s speculation. It’s in the NSAC’s hands.  The UFC can’t be presumptuous.” – via ESPN.com
Lorenzo Fertitta

Shogun Rua and the UFC are back on the same page

Recently, Dana White stated that Mauricio Shogun Rua was taking the strong stance of rather being cut by the UFC than fight Glover Texeira. Texeira was considered as the next opponent for Rua after his original opponent Thiago Silva was injured before their UFC on Fox 4 bout. This seemed to have caused some controversy between White and Rua’s team, who ultimately settled on a fight with Brandon Vera as the event’s headliner. When asked about White’s insinuation, Rua’s manager Julio Heller stepped up to