Ray Cooper III and MacDonald face off in search of a place in the PFL #7 welterweight GP final

R. Cooper III (left) and R. MacDonald (right) face each other in the main fight of PFL #7. Photo: Reproduction/YouTube

This Friday (13), PFL #7 continues with the Grand Prix lightweight (up to 71,3kg) and welterweight (up to 77kg). Former UFC and Bellator, Rory McDonald measures forces against the current champion of the tournament, Ray Cooper III, in the main fight of the night. The winner guarantees a place in the final of the competition and faces Magomed Magomedkerimov and Sadibou Sy, who also face each other on the card.

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Raush Manfio He is the Brazilian representative in the semifinals of the lightweight GP (up to 70,3kg) and is trying to stamp his passport in the decision towards the US$ 1 million prize (around 5,2kg).

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He faces Clay Collard on the PFL main card. A fight before, Loik Radzhabov and Alexander Martinez also decide who takes the other playoff spot.

Ray Cooper III x Rory MacDonald

Member of the PFL since 2018, Ray Cooper III is the name to beat in the category. This is because the Hawaiian is the current welterweight Grand Prix champion and, in 2019, he took home the jackpot. In the current edition, the athlete achieved two victories against Jason Ponet and Nikolay Aleksakhin. He even qualified third.

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Former Bellator welterweight champion (up to 77kg) and former UFC title challenger, Rory McDonald is the big name in the division's Grand Prix and wants to 'assert' its favoritism. The Canadian, however, came in second place (behind only the Brazilian João Zeferino, who left the competition due to injury) in the initial phase with six points, after submitting Curtis Millender and losing to Gleison Tibau, in a controversial result in the judges' split decision. .

Cooper III, who is on a five-fight unbeaten streak, has a record of 22 positive results, seven negative results and one draw in his career, which began in 2012.

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A professional since 2005, MacDonald is considered one of the best fighters in the division in the world. Coincidentally, the Canadian has the exact same record as his opponent and has a career record of 22 wins, seven losses and one draw.

Raush Manfio x Clay Collard

At lightweight (up to 70,3 kg.), most lovers of mixed martial arts were taken by surprise when the former Ultimate champion, Anthony Pettis, did not make the playoffs. Still, four other athletes have the chance to impress in search of the dream jackpot of US$ 1 million (about R$ 5,2 million).

The only Brazilian representative in the division's playoffs, Raush Manfio He wants to use his jiu-jitsu to submit for the first time in his career. The 'War Horse', as it is known, passed through Joilton Pelegrino and himself Anthony Pettis – both in a split decision – to qualify for the semi-finals. In his career, there are 13 triumphs and three setbacks.

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Clay Collard, who finished in second place, had a similar trajectory to the Brazilian. The North American surprised, 'punished' Anthony Pettis in his debut and also defeated Pelegrino in a split decision by the judges. Professional since 2011 and with experience in professional boxing, 'Cassius' scored four consecutive victories and has 20 triumphs, eight setbacks and one unsuccessful fight.

Other side of the key

Former Ultimate, João Zeferino came first in the welterweight division (with eight points) and was preparing for the fight against Magomed Magomedkerimov on the card. However, the Brazilian injured his hand and gave way to the Swede Sadibou Sy, who was in fifth place.

In addition to the fight between Clay Collard and Raush Manfio, the other duel in the division is composed of Alexander Martinez and Loik Radzhabov, which came in first and fourth place, respectively. The fight is actually a rematch, as the two fighters faced each other in a balanced confrontation in the first phase, with the Paraguayan winning by split decision.

Gleison Tibau on the card

First 'reserve' at welterweight, veteran Gleison Tibau will also appear at the event and, on the preliminary card, he will face North American Micah Terrill. The Brazilian, who was seventh in the first phase, is coming off a victory against his own Rory McDonald and it is the first alternative, in case a fighter has problems before his presentation.