Delayed Title Defense Frustrates but Helps Cole Konrad

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Cole Konrad will have to wait a little bit longer to make his first Bellator title defense.

The heavyweight champion was scheduled to take on Eric Prindle on Friday at Bellator 65, but Prindle suffered a hand injury and the bout has been pushed back to May 25.

“Typically it would be a big inconvenience, getting bumped back that far because that was another seven weeks back from when I found out [about the fight], but in this instance, it really wasn’t,” Konrad told the Sherdog Radio Network’s “Savage Dog Show.” “I took the fight with Pringle on short notice. They told me three weeks out. Actually, having it bumped back to May 25 kind of played into my hands a little bit better, I think. I have a longer time to prepare for him.”

Konrad has fought just once -- a decision over Paul Buentello in a non-title bout -- since winning Bellator’s Season 3 heavyweight tournament, and the belt, in October 2010. He was itching to get back in the cage Friday, but Prindle’s injury intervened.

“To be totally honest, it was a little bit of a letdown,” Konrad said. “It’s part of the sport. Really there’s no control over it. Injuries happen in training. It’s just the nature of the beast. It’s a tough sport, and that stuff happens. If I’m being totally honest, yeah, it was a little frustrating because I fought seven times [in 2010]. I’d like to get a fight every few months if I could. I was hoping on that, but that’s just not how it worked out. It’s not really anyone’s fault.”

Konrad made a point not to blame the delay on Prindle.

“I know Prindle, and he’s a good dude,” Konrad said. “If he could fight, he would fight. He works hard and he’s focused. I’ve got no bad things to say about the guy. I think he’s an entertaining fighter. He fights with a lot of heart.”

Prindle won the Season 5 heavyweight tournament by default. His final bout against Thiago Santos was ruled a no-contest due to a low blow, and then the rematch was postponed after Prindle fell ill, and then it was nixed when Santos missed weight.

It’s been an unlikely series of events, but Konrad thinks the matchup works out best for the fans. In his view, a bout against Santos would have been more tactical and perhaps less entertaining. He’s predicting an exciting encounter with Prindle, though.

“I honestly think the fight won’t go beyond a round or two, one way or the other,” Konrad said. “I’m going to be looking for submissions. He’s going to be looking to knock me out. I think we’re just going to lay it all on the line. I think it will be a little bit different of a fight than people are used to seeing, out of me anyway, just because I think we’re going to come with a faster pace and a high tempo.”

Listen to the full interview (beginning at 1:29:34).