Ray Cooper III

Raynald "Ray" Cooper III[5] (born February 7, 1993) is an American mixed martial artist who competes in the Middleweight division. A professional competitor since 2012, Cooper is most notable for his time in the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where he is a two-time Welterweight champion. Fight Matrix had him ranked a top 10 Welterweight in the world in May 2022. He is currently ranked #16.

Ray Cooper III
BornRaynald Cooper III
(1993-02-07) February 7, 1993
Pearl City, Hawaii, United States
Other namesBradda Boy
NationalityAmerican
Height5 ft 7 in (1.70 m)[1][2][3]
Weight177 lb (80 kg; 12.6 st)
DivisionWelterweight
Lightweight
Reach70 in (178 cm) [4]
StanceOrthodox
Fighting out ofPearl City, Hawaii, United States
Team808 Fight Team
Lion of Judah
Rank2021 PFL Welterweight World Champion
Years active2011–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total34
Wins25
By knockout16
By submission7
By decision2
Losses8
By knockout2
By submission4
By decision2
Draws1
Other information
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Early life

Born and raised in Pearl City, Hawaii, Cooper got into many fights in the schoolyard, beginning to wrestle at the age of six and trained under the tutelage of his father, Ray Cooper Jr., a professional fighter.[6][7] In Hawaii, Cooper was a three-time state champion wrestler and two-time Oahu Interscholastic Association champion, winning his last championship at 173 lbs. Upon graduating at the age of 18, he began his career in professional MMA,[8] turning down a college scholarship to continue wrestling.[9][10][11] Starting to train with his uncles Ronald Jhun and David “Kawika” Pa’aluhi, also fellow former fighters, and his father, Cooper was the first Cooper sibling, 6 of them in total, to skip college.[12][13]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Cooper began competing as an amateur in 2011, compiling a record of 3-0 before turning professional in 2012. He competed in promotions King of the Cage, Gladiator Challenge, X-1 and PXC. He compiled a record of 13-5 before being signed by the Professional Fighters League.[7]

Professional Fighters League

On July 5, 2018, Cooper made his PFL debut at PFL 3 defeating former Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Jake Shields via technical knockout in the second round.[14]

On August 16, 2018, Cooper defeated Pavel Kusch at PFL 6 in 18 seconds of the first round advancing to the playoffs.[15]

On October 20, 2018, Cooper faced Jake Shields in a rematch at PFL 10.[16] He won the fight via technical knockout in the first round to advance to the semifinals of the playoffs. In the semifinals, Cooper defeated Handesson Ferreira in a rematch via technical knockout to advance to the Welterweight finals.[17]

Cooper faced Magomed Magomedkerimov in the finals at PFL 11 on December 31, 2018. Cooper lost the fight via a guillotine choke submission in the second round. Cooper said of the fight, “I left my neck out too much. I thought I was winning that fight, you know, I was pressing the action. I just left my neck out. He has some slick guillotines, he has some long arms."[15]

Cooper re-entered the welterweight tournament in 2019, facing his cousin, Zane Kamaka on May 9, 2019 at PFL 1. He won the bout via rear-naked choke in the second round.[18]

On July 11, 2019 at PFL 4, he faced John Howard, losing the bout after getting knocked out in the first round.[19]

He faced Sadibou Sy in the quarterfinals at PFL 7 on October 11, 2019. The fight ended in a draw with Cooper advancing. In the semifinals at the same event, he faced Chris Curtis and won by knockout in the second round.[20] Cooper faced David Michaud in the finals at PFL 10 on December 31, 2019. He won the fight via TKO in the second round to win the 2019 PFL Welterweight Tournament.[21]

Cooper faced Jason Ponet on April 29, 2021 at PFL 2 as the start of the 2021 PFL Welterweight tournament.[22] He won the bout with an arm-triangle choke in the first round.[23]

Cooper faced Nikolay Aleksakhin at PFL 5 on June 17, 2021.[24] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[25]

Cooper faced Rory MacDonald in the Semifinals off the Welterweight tournament on August 13, 2021 at PFL 7.[26] He won the bout via unanimous decision.[27]

Cooper rematched Magomed Magomedkerimov in the Finals of the Welterweight tournament on 27 October 2021 at PFL 10.[28] Cooper had previously faced Magomedkerimov in the finals of the 2018 tournament, losing the bout via guillotine in the second round. He won the bout this time tho via knockout in the third round, winning the 2021 PFL Welterweight Tournament and another $1 million dollar prize.[29]

Cooper was scheduled to face Magomed Umalatov on May 6, 2022 at PFL 3.[30] Umalatov would pull out of the bout and be replaced by former LFA Welterweight Champion Carlos Leal.[31] At weigh-ins, Ray Cooper III missed weight for the bouts, weighing in at 176.4 pounds, 5.4 pounds over the welterweight non-title fight limit.He was fined 20 percent of their purses, ineligible to win playoff points, given a walkover loss, and was penalized one point in the standings[32] In an upset, Cooper lost the bout via unanimous decision.[33]

Cooper faced Brett Cooper on July 1, 2022 at PFL 6.[34] He won the bout via TKO stoppage 24 seconds into the bout.[35]

Cooper is expected to make his Middleweight debut against Derek Brunson on November 24, 2023 at PFL 10.[36]

Personal life

Cooper has four younger brothers; Bronson, Blake, Baylen and Makoa. All won wrestling state titles as well, with Blake, now a mixed martial artist, winning three. Both Blake and Baylen wrestled for Warner Pacific University where they were NAIA national champions and All-Americans. He also has a younger sister named Makana who is currently competing in the Hawaii High School Girls Wrestling division.[37] Even Cooper's wife is a former high school state wrestling champion.[10]

Cooper and his wife Kelly have five children, with his last two children being twins.[38][39]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown
34 matches 25 wins 8 losses
By knockout 16 2
By submission 7 4
By decision 2 2
Draws 1
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 25–8–1 Brett Cooper TKO (knees and punches) PFL 6 July 1, 2022 1 0:24 Atlanta, Georgia, United States
Loss 24–8–1 Carlos Leal Decision (unanimous) PFL 3 May 6, 2022 3 5:00 Arlington, Texas, United States Catchweight (176.4 lb) bout; Cooper missed weight.
Win 24–7–1 Magomed Magomedkerimov KO (punches) PFL 10 October 27, 2021 3 3:02 Hollywood, Florida, United States Won the 2021 PFL Welterweight Tournament.
Win 23–7–1 Rory MacDonald Decision (unanimous) PFL 7 August 13, 2021 3 5:00 Hollywood, Florida, United States 2021 PFL Welterweight Semifinals.
Win 22–7–1 Nikolay Aleksakhin Decision (unanimous) PFL 5 June 17, 2021 3 5:00 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States Catchweight (171.8 lb) bout; Cooper missed weight.
Win 21–7–1 Jason Ponet Submission (arm-triangle choke) PFL 2 April 29, 2021 1 1:23 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 20–7–1 David Michaud TKO (punches) PFL 10 December 31, 2019 2 2:56 New York City, New York, United States Won the 2019 PFL Welterweight Tournament..
Win 19–7–1 Chris Curtis KO (punch) PFL 7 October 11, 2019 2 0:11 Las Vegas, Nevada, United States 2019 PFL Welterweight Semifinal bout.
Draw 18–7–1 Sadibou Sy Draw (unanimous) 2 5:00 2019 PFL Welterweight Quarterfinal bout.
Loss 18–7 John Howard KO (punches) PFL 4 July 11, 2019 1 3:23 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 18–6 Zane Kamaka Submission (rear-naked choke) PFL 1 May 9, 2019 2 4:29 Uniondale, New York, United States
Loss 17–6 Magomed Magomedkerimov Submission (guillotine choke) PFL 11 December 31, 2018 2 2:18 New York City, New York, United States For the 2018 PFL Welterweight Championship.
Win 17–5 Handesson Ferreira TKO (punches) PFL 10 October 20, 2018 1 2:28 Washington, D.C., United States 2018 PFL Welterweight Semifinal bout.
Win 16–5 Jake Shields TKO (punches) 1 3:10 2018 PFL Welterweight Quarterfinal bout.
Win 15–5 Pavel Kusch TKO (punches) PFL 6 August 16, 2018 1 0:18 Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States
Win 14–5 Jake Shields TKO (punches) PFL 3 July 5, 2018 2 2:09 Washington, D.C., United States
Loss 13–5 Handesson Ferreira Decision (unanimous) Mid-Pacific Championships 5 November 18, 2017 3 5:00 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Win 13–4 Charles Bennett TKO (punches) X-1 48: Braddah vs. Felony August 12, 2017 2 2:48 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Win 12–4 Jonathan Pico Submission (rear naked choke) X-1 46: Armed and Dangerous April 29, 2017 1 3:16 Kahului, Hawaii, United States
Loss 11–4 Jun Yong Park Submission (anaconda choke) Pacific Xtreme Combat 56 March 25, 2017 1 N/A Guam
Win 11–3 Matthew Colquhoun KO (punch) X-1 45: Live January 28, 2017 1 0:04 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Win 10–3 Zach Conn KO (punches) X-1 44: The Return September 24, 2016 1 0:12 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Welterweight debut.
Win 9–3 Gabe Rivas KO (punches) Star Elite Cage Fighting April 29, 2016 1 1:41 Waipahu, Hawaii, United States
Win 8–3 Josh Drake Submission (front choke) Gladiator Challenge: Season's Beatings November 28, 2015 1 1:06 Rancho Mirage, California, United States Won the vacant Gladiator Challenge Lightweight Championship.
Win 7–3 Adrian Bartree KO (punch) Gladiator Challenge: Showdown August 15, 2015 1 0:34 Rancho Mirage, California, United States
Win 6–3 David Douglas TKO (punches) Star Elite Cage Fighting August 7, 2015 1 0:27 Waipahu, Hawaii, United States
Win 5–3 Dave Mazany Submission (rear naked choke) Star Elite Cage Fighting March 20, 2015 2 1:24 Waipahu, Hawaii, United States
Win 4–3 Jody Carter TKO (punches) Gladiator Challenge: Season's Beatings November 22, 2014 1 1:58 Rancho Mirage, California, United States
Loss 3–3 Craig Jackson TKO (strikes) War On The Valley Isle 3 November 8, 2014 1 2:25 Kahului, Hawaii, United States
Loss 3–2 Danny Navarro Submission (guillotine choke) Gladiator Challenge: Payback August 30, 2014 1 1:34 San Jacinto, California, United States
Win 3–1 Nate Harris Submission (guillotine choke) Destiny MMA: Na Koa 5 May 3, 2014 1 2:52 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Loss 2–1 Joey Gomez Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) Destiny MMA: Na Koa 3 April 6, 2013 1 2:21 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Win 2–0 Adam Smith Submission (rear-naked choke) Destiny MMA: Na Koa 2 January 19, 2013 1 4:41 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Win 1–0 Kani Correa KO (punch) KOTC Ali'is July 14, 2012 1 0:08 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Lightweight debut.

See also

References
  1. https://www.espn.com/mma/fighter/_/id/4339208/ray-cooper-iii
  2. https://www.tapology.com/fightcenter/fighters/21174-ray-cooper-iii-braddah-boy
  3. https://pflmma.com/fighter/ray-cooperiii
  4. "Ray Cooper III". www.pflmma.com.
  5. "Ray Cooper III fighter profile".
  6. "Ray Cooper's stunning KO earns the Pearl City alum $1 million". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. 2021-10-28. Retrieved 2022-05-20.
  7. Taylor, Tom. "Why Fighting Is the Ultimate Prize for PFL's Ray Cooper III". Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
  8. "Ray Cooper III: Family Ties and Unimaginable Highs". Sherdog.
  9. "Ray Cooper III seeks redemption in PFL, 14 years after Jake Shields defeated his father". KHON2. 2018-06-01. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
  10. "Feelin' Like A Million Bucks". MidWeek. 2020-01-22. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
  11. "Training with family at home daily, life is normal for Ray Cooper III". FanSided. 2020-04-11. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
  12. Gross, Josh. "With 1 more victory, Ray Cooper III could top his dad's biggest MMA payday by $993,000". The Athletic. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
  13. Hull, Billy (2018-12-29). "Ray Cooper III's lifetime of training with family leads to shot at big payoff". Honolulu Star-Advertiser. Retrieved 2022-09-06.
  14. "PFL 3 results: Ray Cooper III rolls over Jake Shields in main event".
  15. "Ray Cooper III Interview: PFL, Magomedkerimov Rematch, Standin' and Bangin' - the Fight Library". 30 May 2019.
  16. "PFL 10 preview: Cooper III vs. Shields rematch among playoff fights in Washington DC".
  17. "Ray Cooper III Blows Away Jake-Shields, Handesson Ferreira in PFL Welterweight Playoffs".
  18. "Cooper III submits Kamaka in PFL welterweight showdown". Hawaii News Now. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
  19. Anderson, Jay (2019-07-11). "PFL 4 2019 Results: John Howard Scores Highlight Reel TKO of Ray Cooper III". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-09-13.
  20. Nick Baldwin (October 12, 2019). "Chris Curtis retires twice in one night after PFL 7 losses". bloodyelbow.com.
  21. "Fight Card - 2019 PFL 10". PFL.
  22. Damon Martin (March 2, 2021). "Rory MacDonald faces David Michaud in PFL debut as welterweights, light heavyweights begin season on April 29". MMAFighting.com. Retrieved March 2, 2021.
  23. Marrocco, Steven (2021-04-29). "PFL 2 results: Rory MacDonald tricks Curtis Millender, gets first-round tapout". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-04-30.
  24. "Rory MacDonald vs. Gleison Tibau headlines PFL 5 main card with welterweights and light heavyweights". MMA Fighting. 2021-05-19. Retrieved 2021-05-20.
  25. "PFL 5: Rory MacDonald, Ray Cooper III, Emiliano Sordi secure playoff spots". ESPN.com. 2021-06-17. Retrieved 2021-06-18.
  26. "PFL playoff cards announced with first event kicking off Aug. 13 with Rory MacDonald vs. Ray Cooper in main event". MMA Fighting. 2021-07-20. Retrieved 2021-07-20.
  27. Anderson, Jay (2021-08-14). "PFL Playoffs 1: Ray Cooper III Decisions Rory MacDonald, Heads to Finals". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-08-14.
  28. Alexander, Mookie (2021-08-28). "Here are the six tournament finals for the PFL 2021 season finale". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2021-09-27.
  29. Anderson, Jay (2021-10-27). "PFL Championship 2021 Results: Ray Cooper III Exacts His Revenge Against Magomed Magomedkerimov". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2021-10-28.
  30. "Kayla Harrison, Anthony Pettis and Rory MacDonald headline PFL 3 card on May 6". MMA Fighting. 2022-04-05. Retrieved 2022-04-05.
  31. "Магомед Умалатов выбывает с поединка против чемпиона PFL". mma.metaratings.ru (in Russian). 2022-04-30. Retrieved 2022-05-02.
  32. "2022 PFL 3 results: Carlos Leal dominates, snaps Ray Cooper III's lengthy winning streak". MMA Junkie. 2022-05-07. Retrieved 2022-07-02.
  33. Anderson, Jay (2022-05-06). "PFL 3: Carlos Leal Pulls Off Upset Despite Late Surge by Ray Cooper III". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-07-02.
  34. "Harrison gets toughest test yet vs. Budd at PFL 6". ESPN.com. 2022-06-01. Retrieved 2022-06-01.
  35. King, Nolan (2022-07-02). "2022 PFL 6 results: Ray Cooper III gets eliminated from playoff contention, destroys Brett Cooper in 24 seconds anyway". MMA Junkie. Retrieved 2022-07-02.
  36. "Brunson joins PFL, to fight Cooper III on Nov. 24". ESPN.com. 2023-10-06. Retrieved 2023-10-06.
  37. "Cooper Bros. Bring Home Titles from CCC Championships". Warner Pacific University Athletics.
  38. Mick Hammond (May 29, 2020). "Ray Cooper III staying ready to fight in PFL again, looks back at his wins over Jake Shields". mmaweekly.com.
  39. "With 'stay at home order' life remains the same for PFL champ Ray Cooper III and his growing 'ohana". KHON2. 2020-04-15. Retrieved 2022-07-20.
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