Cole Konrad retired in 2012 and is still under 40. If he stayed in Bellator, I think there's a chance he could still be an undefeated champ. Look how Kongo did in his 40s with far inferior wrestling. I think he could've done well if he eventually moved to the UFC, but don't think he'd be undefeated.
If there were ever a time for wrestlers to develop and do well at HW (and even LHW and MW) it's now. HW has been weak, aging and dominated by strikers, as seen in the recent Gane and Rozenstruik fights where fighters thought they could kickbox all the time and not worry about the ground.
You don't remember the story of why he came to the ufc with only 2 fights? He had 2 fights then couldn't get a regional fight for 2 years.... so AKA begged to get him into the ufc because they could not find willing opponents.......Remember what about Cain? He fought twice in three months, and then the UFC signed him. Hardly relative to what you were claiming.
You don't remember the story of why he came to the ufc with only 2 fights? He had 2 fights then couldn't get a regional fight for 2 years.... so AKA begged to get him into the ufc because they could not find willing opponents....
Agreed lmaoIt's fair enough tbh. Imagine if you're a regional heavyweight and someone offers you a grand to fight fucking Cain Velasquez.
Lol, true<45>It's fair enough tbh. Imagine if you're a regional heavyweight and someone offers you a grand to fight fucking Cain Velasquez.
Lol, true<45>
But still, there will always be some random fucker who says “I don’t give a shit, gimme the fight”
Lmao I think I’ve seen that fight.Indeed, three guys are the unsung heroes of our sport. Like I was watching some random dude the other week who agreed to fight 6"7 Olympic taekwondo bronze medalist Robelis Despaigne.
He lost in about 10 seconds, but still takes some stones.
Lmao I think I’ve seen that fight.
Is he that extremely tall black guy who just got his feet wet in MMA?
You don't remember the story of why he came to the ufc with only 2 fights? He had 2 fights then couldn't get a regional fight for 2 years.... so AKA begged to get him into the ufc because they could not find willing opponents....
Yep. Another one (and a similar-sized and skilled wrestler) was Tom Erickson. Like Couture, he started NHB/MMA in his early 30s in the mid-90s. Then he took a 2-year break followed by a 3-year break a few years later to wrestle, maybe coach wrestling and do K-1 kickboxing (not his specialty at all). Word is no one wanted to fight him when he was younger, including Kerr and Coleman. It's possible he could've been the top HW circa 1997-99 if he fought consistently in the UFC and/or Japan and faced Coleman/Kerr (he obliterated Randleman already), Bas, Igor V., Couture, Rizzo and whoever else was willing to fight him. But we'll never know.Konrad is one of the biggest what-ifs in MMA, if not THE biggest what if at heavyweight. Youth, size, wrestling, undefeated.
I would have loved to see Cain or Cormier vs Konrad.
Meanwhile Gabe is stuck on wwe devepemental scene for about three years now
It's Gable's spot.I'm surprised he isn't aiming for the Olympics.
I was thinking the same thing. No where in those promotional photos does it say what weight he will fight at. Honestly, he should stick to heavyis he going to fight at HW or LHW? it says he is 6 ft 2.. 237? I mean its not too short for HW...
at 27 years old with only 1 fight... he had better get a move on if he wants to be champion level before like... 32? he needs at least 10 fights so like 2 a year thats 5 years unless he can get like 4 guys lined up in a row.
You sure about that?olympics doesn't pay jack compared to the UFC
Within the freestyle heavyweight rankings in the US, there is only one.
is he going to fight at HW or LHW? it says he is 6 ft 2.. 237? I mean its not too short for HW...
at 27 years old with only 1 fight... he had better get a move on if he wants to be champion level before like... 32? he needs at least 10 fights so like 2 a year thats 5 years unless he can get like 4 guys lined up in a row.
Caption says light-heavyweightI was thinking the same thing. No where in those promotional photos does it say what weight he will fight at. Honestly, he should stick to heavy