Ray
Cooper III didn’t have a long-winded explanation behind the
weight miss that occurred prior to his loss to Carlos
Leal Miranda at PFL 3.
Advertisement
The two-time PFL champion tipped the scales 5.4 pounds above the
contracted welterweight limit and then looked sluggish in a
unanimous decision defeat to Miranda. Now, the Hawaiian needs a big
performance to keep his postseason hopes alive.
“I just came in out of shape. That’s pretty much it,” Cooper said
at a PFL media day. “I started my camp late. Things happen and I
just started late.”
Cooper III will get a chance to right the ship at PFL 6 against
Brett
Cooper, a veteran of 44 professional fights who is a former
Bellator title challenger and an ex-Absolute Championship Akhmat
title holder. “Braddah Boy” is well aware of the stakes
involved.
”Brett
Cooper has been around a while. He’s got a lot of fights,” the
Hawaiian said. “But I really didn’t watch his fights, only a couple
of them. I’ve faced everybody, so it’s not a big deal. I’ve just
got to get a finish in the first round and hopefully get in the
playoffs.”
While Cooper has joined the list of prominent Hawaiian fighters to
have success in MMA with his consecutive PFL titles, B.J. Penn remains
perhaps the most prominent fighter to have emerged from the island.
While Cooper III is admittedly not someone big into politics, he
did share his thoughts on the UFC Hall of Famer’s campaign for governor of
Hawaii.
“He’s just a man for the people,” Cooper III said. “I think he
would be good for the people and fight for the people. I’m not
really into politics and stuff. I know he’s a fighter at heart and
he would fight for everybody in Hawaii.”
PFL 6 takes place at Overtime Elite Arena in Atlanta, Ga., on
Friday and is headlined by a lightweight clash between Kayla
Harrison and Kaitlin
Young. The main card airs on ESPN and ESPN+ at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m.
PT, while prelims will be broadcast on ESPN+ at 6 p.m. ET/3 p.m.
PT.