Ray Cooper III didn’t do enough to earn a slot in the 2022 PFL playoffs, but he sure went out with a bang in his final regular season appearance.
At 2022 PFL 6, which took place Friday at Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta, Cooper III (25-8-1) tore through opponent Brett Cooper (28-17) in just 24 seconds.
On the bubble of the playoffs at the start of the event, Cooper would’ve needed six points to clinch a playoff spot. However, just minutes before his scheduled cage-walk, Cooper had his postseason hopes spoiled when Magomed Magomedkerimov picked up six points in a first-round TKO of Dilano Taylor.
Cooper III was shown throughout the Magomedkerimov vs. Taylor bout. His expression was the same before and after his playoff dreams disappeared. He looked unfazed – and when it came time to fight, he fought unbothered.
From the opening bell, Cooper III blitzed the other Cooper. Punches and knees rained down as Brett Cooper covered up. Brett Cooper eventually turtled and hit the mat. Shortly thereafter the referee dove in to save him.
Check out the finish below:
FLAWLESS VICTORY for Ray Cooper III‼️#2022PFL6 LIVE on ESPN & ESPN+
🌎 https://t.co/jPNvomkWj8 pic.twitter.com/IaDbvBtDTo— PFL (@PFLMMA) July 2, 2022
“I was going to finish him no matter what. That was my goal,” Cooper told PFL commentator Sean O’Connell in his in-cage, post-fight interview.
Cooper III has only lost once in his most recent nine fights. It is unknown what his future holds, or if he is contractually tied to PFL going forward.
Meanwhile, Brett Cooper falls to 2-4 in his most recent six outings.
The up-to-the-minute 2022 PFL 6 results include:
- Ray Cooper III def. Brett Cooper via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 0:24
- Magomed Magomedkerimov def. Dilano Taylor via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:26
- Larissa Pacheco def. Genah Fabian via TKO (ground-and-pound) – Round 1, 2:39
- Magomed Umalatov def. Jarrah Al Silawi via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 3:33
- Marina Mokhnatkina def. Abigail Montes via split decision (30-27, 27-30, 30-27)
- Martina Jindrova def. Zamzagul Fayzallanova via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 4:04
- Olena Kolesnyk def. Vanessa Melo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
