Ray Cooper III might not be part of the Professional Fighters League postseason this year, but he is feeling rejuvenated heading into his showcase bout against Muhamed Berkhamov at PFL 9 on Friday.
That wasn’t necessarily the case in recent months, as he struggle to find motivation after capturing PFL championships in 2019 and 2021.
“I just wasn’t excited, from these last couple of flights and from my previous outings in the tournament,” Cooper said during a PFL media day. “Nothing excited excited me [in] PFL. When we first started the playoff, it was [two fights] in [one] night. That’s what really excited me to go and show who was really the toughest and I just wasn’t excited [anymore. Just from my last fight with Jason Jackson, it just excited me again, and that’s not how I perform and that wasn’t me.”
Cooper III would like to earn another shot at the former Bellator welterweight champion, but ultimately, the main objective is to find entertaining matchups that keep him engaged.
“I wasn’t even close to whatever I am now,” Cooper said. “And, the goal is just to get that rematch back.… I just want big fights right now.”
After the loss to Jackson at PFL vs. Bellator in February, Cooper didn’t take a break. That alone should be a sign that the two-time PFL champion is in the right frame of mind.
“I didn’t stop training. I trained right after that fight,” he said. “I didn’t stop training, and I just was hungry again.”
With 36 professional fights already under his belt, Cooper has acquired plenty of experience over the course of his career. But at 31 years old, he feels like he’s just getting started.
“Retirement is not in my vocabulary,” he said. “…I ain’t even done yet. I’m in my prime right now. So, I am nowhere near close to being done. I’m gonna win multiple more championships, world titles.”
PFL 9 takes place at the Anthem in Washington, D.C. and features semifinal bouts at featherweight and welterweight. The main card airs on ESPN and ESPN+ at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT, while prelims — including Cooper vs. Berkhamov — stream on ESPN+ at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT.
