Konrad's return to Bellator set, Wisconsin prepares MMA regulation

Two-time NCAA heavyweight champion and former Golden Gopher Cole Konrad (4-0) announced earlier this week that he has been signed to fight in the upcoming Bellator Fighting Championship's heavyweight tournament.

The tournament will be the highlight of the third season of Bellator's show on the Fox Sports Network.

Konrad is best known nationally for being the training partner of UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar at his camp in Alexandria. He has gone 4-0 since start his fighting career earlier this year, including winning his first two fights in the Bellator cage this last season, beating Pat Bennett and then John Orr both by decision.

"This tournament is going to provide me with the greatest test that I've faced so far in my fighting career," Konrad said according to an article on Bellator.com. "But this is exactly the kind of test I'm looking for. I want to get as many fights under my belt as I can and I want to keep fighting tougher guys. This tournament is going to allow me to do that.

The best known name in the tournament is for UFC fighter Eddie Sanchez (12-3). Sanchez was 3-3 in his UFC career from 2006-2008.

The first round match-ups start August 12 on Fox Sports Net.

An initial draft of the legislation regarding the regulation of mixed martial arts in Wisconsin has been released according to an article by MMA blogger Paul Fladten at Wisconsin Combat Sports.

Fighter blood work will be renewed every 90 days according to Fladten, and every fighter would be eligible for drug testing anytime after weigh-in until 24 hours after the fight. The promoter would be responsible for paying for the testing according to Fladten's report.

Minnesota only requires blood work once a year, and has no authority to require drug testing at all.

Wisconsin will also require $25,000 in life and medical insurance for the event, Minnesota only requires $10,000. Wisconsin will not allow same-day substitutions of fighters when an opponent backs out, something that happens regularly in Minnesota.

Promoters will also have to have an ambulance on hand at the event, along with a medical team. Minnesota requires a doctor be present at the event.

Wisconsin became the 43 state to regulate MMA when Governor Jim Doyle signed a bill regulating it back in February. The draft will be discussed in a series of meetings throughout Wisconsin before the bill is finalized later this year.

Jon Nowacki of the Duluth News Tribune talked to suspended boxing promoter Chuck Horton this week about what he is up to while waiting for his appeal to be heard by the commission.

I don't want to steal Nowacki's hard work so if you are interested you can read it here, but thing people might be interested in is that he's promoting two amateur boxing events this month, despite the fact that he can't currently promote professionally. Amateur boxing is regulated by USA Boxing in Minnesota and they allowing the events to take place.

Horton's appeal will be heard by the Commission's grievance committee on Aug 16.

Minneapolis native Carey Vanier (9-3) will return to the Bellator steel on Sept 9 when he takes on former UFC veteran Rich Clementi (46-16-1) for a spot in the Season 4 lightweight tournament, according to mmafighting.com.

Vanier made it to the semi-finals of this years lightweight tournament before he lost by armbar to Toby Imada.