Bellator Boss: Eric Prindle-Cole Konrad Set for Heavyweight Gold at Bellator 65

Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney announced the news on Thursday night’s episode of MMA Uncensored Live on Spike TV. Also featuring a bantamweight title tilt pitting reigning 135-pound king Zach Makovsky against Season 5 tournament winner Eduardo Dantas, Bellator 65 takes place at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J. The evening’s main draw airs on MTV2 and Epix, while the preliminary proceedings stream live on Spike.com.

Though Prindle was declared the Season 5 heavyweight tournament victor, “The American Soldier” only had to win two fights to claim that title. After dispatching Abe Wagner and Ron Sparks in the opening rounds of the tournament, Prindle suffered a low blow courtesy of Thiago Santos in November’s Bellator 59 final and was deemed unable to continue.

The bout was ruled a no-contest, and a rematch was scheduled for Bellator 61 on March 16. However, Prindle developed flu-like symptoms the day of the weigh-ins, and the fight was postponed to the following week. This move proved futile, as Santos failed to make weight, and Prindle was declared the tournament winner and de facto title challenger.

Meanwhile, Konrad has yet to taste defeat as a pro. The former University of Minnesota wrestling standout conquered Bellator’s Season 3 tournament in 2010, outpointing Roger Lloret and Damian Grabowski before submitting Neil Grove in the final. “The Polar Bear” competed just once last year, showing improved standup en route to a unanimous nod over UFC veteran Paul Buentello in a non-title affair this past August.