Photo by Douglas Geller
Q&A with Ray Cooper III ahead of the PFL Championships
Ray Cooper III will compete for the welterweight title at the PFL Championships against Magomedkerimov on New Years Eve at Madison Square Garden. Cooper has been one of the breakout stars of the new organization and has a chance to win a million dollars at Madison Square Garden.. The fight airs live on NBCSN at 7 pm est.
As someone who is more reserved, are you enjoying the process and the attention you are getting?
I always enjoy competing and I’m looking forward to this. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a tournament style, last time I was in high school so, this is awesome, can’t wait, I’m ready.”
After watching him throughout the tournament, have you been able to pick up anything on your opponent?
“I didn’t watch him too much, just the times we fight it’s on in the back. I don’t really know anything of what he’s going to do, I’m going to go in there and finish him just like I did the last of my opponents.”
You’re considered one of the breakout stars from the PFL, how will you celebrate if you win and did you expect to be the break out star?
“Probably I’ll just go to the beach, I still have to get past this on Monday. I expected nothing less, I knew I was going to be here in the finals, it was just a matter of time, I’m excited.”
Hawaii MMA has made a statement this year, what does that mean to you?
“I really don’t train with anybody else from Hawaii, just being from the islands, from a small island and coming out and going out to the world and fighting in the states, that means a lot to everybody cause not a lot of people do it, I’m excited and I’m ready.”
After this fight, what is the future for Ray Cooper III?
“I’m planning on going up in weight, I’m planning on going to heavyweight and fighting. This is the beginning of my career. Probably the next stop is 85 or 205, talking with the PFL, we’ll see.”
