Sherdog’s Top 10: Longest Bellator MMA Title Reigns

8. Cole Konrad

Konrad was Bellator’s inaugural heavyweight titleholder and retired as an undefeated champion in 2012 to pursue work as a commodities broker. The Appleton, Wisconsin, native parlayed an outstanding amateur wrestling career -- he was a four-time NCAA All-American at the University of Minnesota, where he won national championships in 2006 and 2007 -- into a successful transition to mixed martial arts. Konrad made his Bellator debut on May 6, 2010 and entered the promotion’s Season 3 tournament three months later, rattling off victories over Rogent Lloret, Damian Grabowski and Neil Grove to win the eight-man draw. He took a unanimous decision from Paul Buentello in a non-title bout at Bellator 48 and then successfully defended his championship by submitting Eric Prindle with a first-round kimura at Bellator 170 on May 25, 2012. He never fought again, as he announced his retirement and vacated the heavyweight title after 699 days as champion.

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