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Ray Cooper III has his eyes set on new PFL-signee Rory MacDonald for a particularly personal reason.
Ray Cooper III wants to avenge Hawaiian legend B.J. Penn by wiping the floor with PFL’s latest acquisition, Rory MacDonald.
Shortly after winning PFL’s $1 million welterweight tournament, Cooper told MMA Junkie that he is out for revenge at the expense of the former UFC title challenger and Bellator champion.
“He’s a veteran in the sport. He’s got a win over B.J. Penn, one of my boys, and I’d like to get him back on that,” Cooper explained. “If I fight him first, I’ll fight him first. I’ll fight him whenever. I’m ready for him.”
MacDonald beat Penn way back in 2012, earning a dominant unanimous decision win on a card featuring Benson Henderson vs. Nate Diaz in the main event. Cooper earned a cool seven-figure cheque by TKOing David Michaud less than three minutes into round two.
After allowing his deal with Bellator MMA to expire, MacDonald signed a multi-fight deal with the PFL. MacDonald, who held the Bellator welterweight title, will compete in the PFL’s 2020 welterweight season.