Ray Cooper III makes million-dollar comeback at PFL Championship

NEW YORK — For a minute there, Ray Cooper III looked like he was in for another disappointing result at the PFL Championship.

The Hawaiian welterweight lost in the championship round to Magomed Magomedkeriov last New Year’s Eve, but worked his way back through the 2019 season to earn another crack at $1 million, giving him the distinction of becoming the first PFL runner-up to get a second crack at the big prize.

The Big Apple loves stories of those who are knocked down and get right back up to try it again, and Cooper rose to the the moment under the bight lights of the biggest city Tuesday night at the Hulu Theater at Madison Square Garden.

In a short-but-wild fight, Cooper was nearly finished by David Michaud. But when it appeared he was set for another heartbreak and long, regretful flight back to Hawaii, Cooper managed to regain his wits and rally for a thrilling TKO victory at the 2:56 mark of the opening round, thus ensuring he’ll return to the islands with an oversized check for $1 million (yes, “actually” guy about to go to the comment section, we know taxes mean he’s not really going to be a millionaire. Settle down).

After the fight, the newly enriched Cooper said Michaud brought exactly what he thought his opponent would bring to the table.

“We did what we said we were going to do, lay it all on the line and try to knock each other out,” Cooper said. “That’s the name of the game, much respect to David.”

You can check out the nasty body shots that did the trick in the video linked below (via Twitter):