BOSTON, Mass. -- This is the Bellator live blog for Cole Konrad vs. Pat Bennett, a heavyweight bout on tonight's Bellator 17 event at the Wang Theatre.Konrad, a training partner of UFC heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar, is making his promotional debut for Bellator.
The live blog begins below.
Round 1: Bennett came out the aggressor with strikes, but Konrad eventually ducked under a punch and scored a takedown, quickly moving to half-guard. Bennett worked hard to escape but Konrad was an All-American collegiate wrestler, and his top control was too good. Still, Bennett's activity from the bottom kept Konrad from doing too much damage early. Konrad passed to full mount with 70 seconds left. Konrad put a beating on him for the last 20 seconds, but Bennett avoided a major blasting. Round 1 to Conrad, 10-9.
Round 2: Konrad threw some strikes and chased Bennett to the cage, but Bennett escaped with a knee to the body. Bennett is bleeding from the mouth now. Konrad with a body lock and dragging Bennett around the cage looking for a takedown, but Bennett weathers it and pulls free. Konrad lands a hard right that wobbles Bennett with a minute remaining, but he's too gassed to let his hands go. Still, MMA Fighting scores the round to Conrad 10-9.
Round 3: For the first time, Bennett puts Konrad on his heels with a heavy right. Off a clinch, Bennett again backs Konrad up, this time with a series of strikes. Konrad is content to stand on the outside despite his wrestling advantage, and Bennett is a little faster in this late stage of the fight. Nice exchange late with Konrad scoring with a right and Bennett answering with a hook of his own. MMA Fighting scores the round to Bennett, 10-9.
Winner: Cole Konrad via unanimous decision
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