Ray Cooper III Explains Weight Miss Ahead of Upset Loss at PFL 3

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.

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.