Magomed Magomedkerimov did not let Russia go winless at PFL 11, submitting the promotion’s hot commodity, Ray Cooper, in the second round.
Magomed Magomedkerimov comes in on a seven-fight win streak, going 4-0 for PFL in 2018. Those wins included a pair of victories over UFC veteran Bojan Velickovic. Prior to joining the PFL, Magomedkerimov had one fight in WSOF and was a veteran of Russian promotion ACB.
Ray Cooper has been the breakout star of PFL this season, knocking out all four opponents he faced, three in the first round. His breakout performance was against Jake Shields, who he ended up knocking out again in the playoffs. Cooper came into the season as a relatively unknown fighter from Hawaii with a 13-5 record.
Ray Cooper came forward quickly and started swinging at his Russian opponent. Magomed Magomedkerimov countered his aggression with a takedown and had his back quickly. Magomed was looking for the rear-naked choke, but Cooper muscled his way out and stood up, but Magomedkerimov stayed on him in the clinch, making Cooper work with his back to the cage. Magomedkerimov had him there for several minutes before allowing Cooper to get back to the center of the cage. Cooper was hunting for the knockout blow, but couldn’t catch it as the round came to an end.
Cooper bullrushed his opponent to start the second round, but Magomed thwarted the attack. Cooper caught him with a left, and Magomedkerimov was able to walk through it and clinch up. Nothing came of the clinch, and Cooper landed a hard right hand that Magomed ate. Cooper then was able to control the clinch and landed a takedown, but went right into the guillotine of Magomedkerimov. Cooper tried to scramble out, but Magomedkerimov had it locked in and forced Cooper to tap.
Magomed Magomedkerimov def. Ray Cooper III by Submission (Guillotine) in Round 2 (2:18)
