Former University of Minnesota wrestler and two-time NCAA champion Cole Konrad was successful in his first MMA fight according to reports from the Max Fights 8 show in Fargo, North Dakota last Saturday.

Promoter Damian Holznagel wrote in with the following:

"Cole looked loose and calm. He came out and got a clinch early, and I think everyone knew once that was accomplished, what would happen next. Cole showed dominating top control and landed several right hands to the kidney area and some short elbows from inside his opponent's half guard as well. Hamen started to turn slightly, and Cole took the opportunity to look for a choke, but it looked like he actually had more of a neck crank. Due to the force and angle though, it caused his opponent to tap. [UFC Heavyweight Champion Brock] Lesnar, Marty Morgan and Chris Tuchscherer were all in Cole's corner."

The event was filmed and hopefully I'll have a link to video of the match to share with you soon. Results posted online report that Konrad won at 1:13 in the first round.

CFX Promotions to hold a show at the Target Center:

CFX Promotions announced that they will be having an event at the Target Center on April 24, 2010. This event should be the biggest event in the Twin Cities since UFC was here in August of 2008. Two Minnesota UFC veterns have already been announced for the card. Brock Larson (26-4), who was just recently released from the UFC, will be taking on Des Moines Iowa's own Brian Green (18-13), and former UFC champion Dave Menne (43-16-2) will be doing battle against UFC veteran David Strasser (25-8-4).

For Menne, who was the first ever UFC Middleweight champion, this will be only his second fight in Minnesota in the last four-and-a-half years . He has recently been fighting for the upstart Bellator Fighting Championships promotion.

Also on the show, Gideon "The Gladiator" Ray (17-11-1) vs. Derrick "The Eraser" Noble (26-12-1) and Matt Delanoit (13-8-0) vs. Ray Steinbeiss (12-6-0). Plus a women's fight featuring Shana Olsen (2-0).

Tickets are on sale already and are available at Ticketmaster.com or at http://www.targetcenter.com/default.asp?targetcenter=87&objId=730

Rochester Fights this Saturday Night:

Finally if you are looking for some local MMA action this weekend and will be in the Rochester area, there is a show at the Graham Arena on Saturday night on the Olmsted County Fairgrounds. Bell time is 7:30 and the main event features UFC and WEC vet Logan Clark (11-4) taking on local fighter Chris Barden (8-11). Clark is looking to recover from a quick loss in October, where he suffered a seven second knockout at the hands of Jason Guida (18-21) (brother of UFC star Clay Guida).

Other fighters currently scheduled to be on the card are: Heath Rud, Mariuscz Ksiazkiewicz, Mike McIntyre, Bruce Johnson, Jessica Bulver, Nick Bussell, Cody Furlong, Eric Pettengill, Jeremy Gabel, Louis Fisette, Derek Desart, Nwanda Bell, Jeff Meyer, Brad Bershine and Nick Enns.