Perhaps fight fans weren’t overly familiar with the name Carlos Leal as they entered 2022 PFL 3. One dominant victory later over two-time PFL champion Ray Cooper III and things might’ve changed.
At 2022 PFL 3, Leal (17-3) battered Cooper (24-8-1) en route to a unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 29-27). The fight served as the co-main event for the event, which was held Friday at Esports Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
Leal, 29, entered the matchup against Cooper approximately one week ago, on a short-notice basis. His entry into the season came on the heels of back-to-back wins for PFL Challenger Series since Feb. 25.
From the opening bell, Leal didn’t look the slightest bit out of place. He actually showed evidence of the contrary. As the fight progressed, so did Leal’s dominance. He pummeled Cooper with knees and elbows in the clinch. His hands were heavy. Leal stunned Cooper in Round 2 and nearly finished the fight in the first half of Round 3.
Carlos Leal is on the attack!#2022PFL3 LIVE on ESPN2 & ESPN+
🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomkWj8 pic.twitter.com/4FwVJnWIMY— PFL (@PFLMMA) May 7, 2022
Cooper showed resilience and even had his moments late in the fight. However, the damage was done as Leal swept the judges’ scorecards.
Carlos Leal wants the finish! #2022PFL3 LIVE on ESPN2 & ESPN+
🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomkWj8 pic.twitter.com/uI81F9Xa2Q— PFL (@PFLMMA) May 7, 2022
With the victory, Leal earns three points in the 2022 PFL welterweight standings. He has won 11 fights in a row, including an LFA welterweight title win in July 2021. His streak stretches all the way back to 2014.
Meanwhile, Cooper has his six-fight winning streak snapped. His most recent victory prior to Friday came in July 2019 when he was knocked unconscious by UFC alumnus John Howard. Ahead of 2022 PFL 3, Cooper missed the welterweight limit by 5.4 pounds.
Carlos Leal picks up his 3rd win in 2022 and 1st win in the 2022 PFL Season! #2022PFL3 pic.twitter.com/aoOfJJqHdF
— PFL (@PFLMMA) May 7, 2022
The up-to-the-minute 2022 PFL 3 results include:
- Carlos Leal def. Ray Cooper III via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 29-27)
- Anthony Pettis def. Myles Price via submission (mounted triangle) – Round 1, 4:17
- Rory MacDonald def. Brett Cooper via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:23
- Larissa Pacheco def. Zamzagul Fayzallanova via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:25
- Dilano Taylor def. Joao Zeferino via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
- Genah Fabian def. Julia Budd via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Sadibou Sy def. Nikolay Aleksakhin via split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
- Jarrah Al-Silawi def. Gleison Tibau via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28)
- Olena Kolesnyk def. Abigail Montes via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
- Martina Jindrova def. Vanessa Melo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
