Konrad talks UFC 121 during plane ride to California

Anaheim, Calif. - Cole Konrad, a former Gophers wrestler and Brock Lesnar's training partner, didn't plan to sit next to me on a three-hour flight from Minneapolis to Orange County, Calif., Thursday.

But I'm glad he did.

I talked to the winner of Bellator's heavyweight tournament (and a $100,000 prize for the winner) for the bulk of the flight.

Konrad wrestled Cain Velasquez multiple times in college and simulated some of his movements when he trained with Lesnar in Alexandria, Minn.

He shared a few insights prior to Saturday's fight:

-Velasquez can be predictable. Konrad said he learned to anticipate Velasquez' tactics whenever they wrestled. He said the UFC's top heavyweight contender fights in a similar manner, sometimes giving away his next move with a rhythmic style.

-He expects Velasquez to shoot early but not because he wants to take the fight to the ground. Konrad said he thinks Velasquez will come forward and shoot early for the single-leg takedown, but he doesn't believe Velasquez will be looking to bring Lesnar to the ground as much as he'll be trying to throw off his balance and then, rely on his striking to score, similar to the way he's fought so far.

-Velasquez may change his game plan if Lesnar pushes the pace. Konrad said Velasquez became a different competitior when he increased his aggressiveness and changed the tempo in their wrestling matches. One of Velasquez' biggest adjustments may come when Lesnar engages and attacks with violence he's never encountered in the cage, Konrad said.

-Konrad will fight Lesnar. So many fighters refuse to fight friends and teammates. But Konrad said he knows that he might see Lesnar staring at him from across the cage one day, especially if he continues to excel in the sport. While he'd never have any "malice" against Lesnar if that scenario occurred, he said he wouldn't back down from the challenge.

-Konrad said he's not sure when he'll fight again for Bellator, but he's looking forward to taking some time off.

UFC holds public workouts at California gym

Hundreds of fans watched public workouts at the UFC's gym in Rosemead, Calif., Thursday afternoon. Due to my flight time, a story that wouldn't write itself and L.A.-area traffic, I missed some of the workouts, but I caught the end of Velasquez' brief training session.

-Velasquez is a big guy. I knew that before I saw him in person. But he has a freakish physique. And with that big jawline, it might take a hammer to put him down.

-Velasquez clearly faces a different pressure for this fight with so many Hispanic fans pulling for him. He barely made it out of the gym with all of the photo requests. He sports a "Brown Pride" tattoo on his chest. But on Saturday, he'll really feel the weight of the community he wants to deliver the title to.

-Tito Ortiz wore sunglasses. During the day. Inside of a building. Guess he's just cool like that.