Brett Cooper (fighter)

Brett Cooper (born July 2, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Welterweight division. A professional competitor since 2005, he has also competed for Bellator, PFL, Affliction, Absolute Championship Berkut, IFL, KSW, and Jungle Fight.

Background
Cooper was born in Providence RI, and has lived in Long Beach, California his whole life.

Early career
Cooper made his professional debut in 2005 when he was 17 years old and won via TKO. He held a record of 5–4 with a split decision win over future EliteXC and Strikeforce veteran Conor Heun before facing future UFC and Strikeforce veteran Jason Von Flue. Cooper won the bout via TKO and then made his IFL debut in his next fight against future UFC veteran Rory Markham. Cooper won again via TKO against the Miletich Fighting Systems product and followed this up with another win to bring his record to 8-4 and making his debut in Affliction.

Affliction
On January 24, 2009, Cooper fought Patrick Speight at Affliction: Day of Reckoning who he defeated by knockout.

Season Two Welterweight Tournament
Cooper fought Steve Carl as the main event at Bellator XV where is lost by split decision in the quarterfinals of the Bellator Season Two Welterweight Tournament.

Non-tournament bouts
In 2010, Cooper moved up to the Middleweight division. He fought Matt Major at Bellator XXIX where he won by second-round technical knockout.

In 2011, Cooper fought three times for Bellator in non-tournament bouts. He faced Alexander Shlemenko at Bellator XLIV where he lost by unanimous decision. Cooper fought Valdir Araujo at Bellator L where he won by third-round technical knockout. Finally, Cooper fought Jared Hess at Bellator LVIII where he won by unanimous decision.

In 2012, Cooper faced Darryl Cobb at Bellator LXXX where he won by unanimous decision.

Season Eight Middleweight Tournament
Cooper fought Norman Paraisy at Bellator LXXXIX in the quarterfinals of the Bellator Season Eight Middleweight Tournament. He won the fight via unanimous decision. Cooper faced Dan Cramer in the semifinals at Bellator 92. Despite losing the first two rounds, Cooper rallied to win via TKO in the third round. He faced Doug Marshall in the finals and lost via knockout in the first round.

Despite losing in the finals, Cooper was chosen as a replacement for Marshall when his former opponent injured his hand. Having earlier lost to Shlemenko in 2011, Cooper had the rematch with him for the Middleweight title on September 7, 2013, at Bellator 98. He lost the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision.

Season Ten Middleweight Tournament
In March 2014, Cooper entered the Bellator Season 10 Middleweight tournament. He faced UFC veteran Kendall Grove in the semifinals at Bellator 114. After losing the first round, Cooper rallied back to win the bout via knockout in the second round. He faced Brandon Halsey in the tournament final at Bellator 122 and lost via submission.

Non-tournament bouts
Stepping in as a replacement for an injured James Irvin, Cooper was set to face Brian Rogers at Bellator 125 on September 19, 2014. However, a foot injury forced Cooper out of the bout, he was replaced with promotional newcomer Rafael Carvalho.

Absolute Championship Berkut
Cooper signed with ACB and faced Beslan Isaev at ACB 43: Battle on Sura on 20 August 2016. He won by unanimous decision.

Cooper beat second Chechen super star Aslanbek Saidov at ACB 50: Rasulov vs. Goltsov on December 18, 2016. He won the fight via TKO in the third round and became a new ACB welterweight Champion.

Cooper faced Mukhamed Berkhamov at ACB 67: Cooper vs. Berkhamov on August 19, 2017. He lost the fight via knockout in the second round and lost ACB welterweight title.

Cooper faced Saraf Davlatmurodov at ACB 76: Cooper vs. Davlatmurodov on December 9, 2017. He won the fight via TKO in the second round.

Cooper was scheduled to face Beslan Isaev at ACA 116: Froes vs Balaev. However, after making weight, he consulted with his lawyers and decided to refuse fighting because of the U.S. Department of Treasury and Great Britain's sanctions policy against Kadyrov and any organization owned by him, this including Absolute Championship Akhmat. Under these sanctions, it is illegal for any US citizen to do business with any of these entities, meaning that all American fighters could face fines or jail time if they fight for the organization.

Professional Fighters League
Cooper was scheduled to face Nikolay Aleksakhin on August 13, 2021, at PFL 7. However, on August 4, it was announced that Aleksakhin had to pull out of the match-up and was replaced by Tyler Hill. Cooper won the bout in the first round via knockout.

PFL season 2022
Cooper faced Rory MacDonald on May 6, 2022, at PFL 3. Cooper lost the bout in the first round via rear-naked choke.

Cooper faced Ray Cooper III on July 1, 2022, at PFL 6. He lost the bout via TKO stoppage 24 seconds into the bout.

Personal life
Brett Cooper remains single and unmarried, with 2 brothers one who died.

Championships and accomplishments

 * Absolute Championship Berkut
 * Welterweight championship (one time)
 * Bellator Fighting Championships
 * Bellator Season 8 Middleweight Tournament Runner-Up