Ray Cooper III 'Pissed Off' With The PFL Ahead Of Return From Long MMA Absence (Exclusive)

Originally posted on MMA News | By Curtis Calhoun | Last updated 11/7/23

Former PFL welterweight champion Ray Cooper III isn't happy with how the league has handled his long absence from the SmartCage.

Cooper will make the full-time move to 185 pounds to welcome Derek Brunson to the PFL at the upcoming November 24 card. The PFL World Championship in Washington D.C. is headlined by six title fights and features an intriguing undercard.

It's been a long road back to the cage for Cooper, who hasn't fought since a win against Brett Cooper during last year's regular season. Before that, he lost to Carlos Leal by unanimous decision after missing the welterweight limit by six pounds at the weigh-ins.

Many have wondered why Cooper wasn't in this year's PFL welterweight season or why he hasn't fought for more than a year. According to the man himself, the PFL is to blame for his long hiatus from competition.

Ray Cooper III Returns At Middleweight vs. Derek Brunson

In an exclusive interview with MMANews, Cooper shared some of his frustrations with the PFL after more than a year on the sidelines.

"I'm pretty pissed about it because that's how we make our living, fighting," Cooper said. "They just benched me, and I'm not able to go anywhere else and fight...I'm frustrated with them...

"I wasn't able to do the season format because the cut to 170 was becoming way too much for me...so hopefully, I can be in that Super Fight division going forward [at middleweight] and they can give me fights."

Cooper took home the PFL welterweight title by knocking out Magomed Magomedkerimov at the 2021 PFL World Championship. Before the loss to Leal, he won six consecutive fights, including finishes of Chris Curtis and Jason Ponet.

After some speculation about his PFL future in 2021, Cooper remains under contract with the league. But, his recent absence could potentially spell the final days for him with the promotion.

Cooper is fighting with a lot to prove in his return later this month, and his relationship with the PFL remains a bit shaky as he gets ready to throw hands against Brunson.

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This article first appeared on MMA News and was syndicated with permission.

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