Two-time PFL Welterweight Champion Ray Cooper III Returns to Battle Newly
Signed Derek Brunson

Tickets for MMA’s Richest Night Available Now on Ticketmaster

2023 PFL World Championship Friday, November 24 at The Anthem Washington D.C.
Live on ESPN+ PPV


NEW YORK (October 6, 2023) - The Professional Fighters League (PFL), the fastest growing and most innovative sports league, today announced that two-time PFL Welterweight World Champion, Ray Cooper III, will return to the PFL SmartCage to face Derek Brunson, who has signed a multi-fight deal with the PFL. Cooper III and Brunson square off on November 24 at the 2023 PFL World Championship from The Anthem in Washington D.C. The main event will be live on ESPN+ Pay Per View preceded by prelims on ESPN+.

Derek “The One” Brunson, will face Ray Cooper III in a Middleweight showcase bout. Cooper III, a Hawaiian born fan favorite, is making his 2023 PFL debut, while Brunson enters with a 23-9 record in his first fight with the league.

“The 2023 PFL World Championship is set to be the grandest event in PFL history, and we are excited to welcome Derek Brunson to the PFL and host the return of two-time PFL World Champion, Ray Cooper III,” said PFL CEO Peter Murray. “MMA’s richest night will feature the biggest stars in MMA vying for six world championships and $6 million, while including the return of Kayla Harrison and Biaggio Ali Walsh.”

Tickets for the 2023 PFL World Championship, presented by CELSIUS® Essential Energy, are on sale now for the event featuring 12 finalists facing off for six world titles and six $1 million dollar championship purses.


2023 PFL World Championship Card

PFL PPV ESPN+

PFL Lightweight Championship

  • #2 Olivier Aubin-Mercier vs. #1 Clay Collard

PFL Heavyweight Championship

  • #1 Denis Goltsov vs. #2 Renan Ferreira

PFL Women’s Featherweight Championship

  • #1 Larissa Pacheco vs. # Marina Mokhnatkina

Showcase – Women’s Featherweight

  • Kayla Harrison vs. Julia Budd

PFL Welterweight Championship

  • #3 Sadibou Sy vs. #1 Magomed Magomedkerimov

PFL Featherweight Championship

  • #2 Gabriel Braga vs. #4 Jesus Pinedo

PFL Light Heavyweight Championship

  • #1 Joshua Silveira vs. #3 Impa Kasanganay

 

ESPN+ Prelims

Showcase - Middleweight

  • Ray Cooper III vs. Derek Brunson

 Lightweight Amateur

  • Biaggio Ali Walsh vs. Joel Lopez

Showcase – Featherweight

  • Bubba Jenkins vs. Chris Wade

Showcase – Bantamweight

  • Khai Wu vs. Phil Caracappa

Showcase – Featherweight

  • Jesse Stirn vs. Josh Blyden

 

PFL is the #1 fastest growing company in MMA and the #2 MMA company worldwide. PFL is the only league in MMA with the sports-season format, where individual fighters compete in regular season, playoffs, and championships each year, making PFL a “win and advance” meritocracy like all other major sports. PFL’s fighter roster hails from over 20 countries and 25% of PFL fighters are independently ranked in the top 25 of their weight-class. The company leads in technology and innovation, with its proprietary PFL SmartCage powering real-time betting and a next-gen viewing experience.

ABOUT PROFESSIONAL FIGHTERS LEAGUE
Professional Fighters League (PFL) is the #1 fastest growing sports league and the #2 MMA company worldwide. PFL offers viewers the most innovative viewing experience in sports and PFL is the only league in MMA with the sports-season format.

PFL has four global live fight franchises: PFL League Season, PFL Challenger Series, PFL PPV SUPER FIGHTS, and PFL International Regional Leagues.

PFL was founded in 2018 and is backed by major blue-chip investors including SRJ, Ares, Knighthead, Luxor Capital, Waverley Capital, Elysian Park Ventures, and numerous NBA, MLB, NHL, and MLS team owners.

MMA is the growth sport of this decade, with 650 million fans worldwide, the youngest audience demographic of any sport, and true global revenue streams.

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