2021 PFL 2 – Syndication Server

Rory MacDonald: A fight with Ray Cooper III would match same grit and intensity as Robbie Lawler

If Rory MacDonald meets Ray Cooper III during the 2021 PFL season, he expects it to be an all-out war.

If [autotag]Rory MacDonald[/autotag] meets [autotag]Ray Cooper III[/autotag], the longtime Canadian veteran expects it to be an all-out war.

MacDonald (22-6-1) made good in his promotional debut, when he scored a first-round submission of Curtis Millender in the 2021 PFL 2 main event at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J.

On the same night, Cooper (21-7-1) also made quick work of his opponent, needing just 1:23 to tap out Jason Ponet in the co-main event. In the post-fight news conference, MacDonald was asked about a potential fight with reigning champion Cooper, and “Red King” is confident that they’ll meet at some point.

“To be honest, I’m ready for anything,” MacDonald said. “If it’s next, it’s next. If it’s in the finals, it’s in the finals. I don’t really have much of a say as far as that goes, but I’m up for whatever. I signed up to win this tournament, so at some point I’m sure Ray and I are gonna cross paths because he’s a dominant force to be reckoned with, and I’m looking forward to competing against him at some point, whenever it may be.”

MacDonald said Cooper reminds him of former foe Robbie Lawler, who he went to war with in 2015, in one of the most memorable fights in UFC history. MacDonald sees similar characteristics in Cooper, and he expects their fight to play out in similar fashion.

“You know he always brings it, and I’ve fought guys like that, like Robbie,” MacDonald said. “There’s some guys that are natural-born fighters, and I expect that same grit, that same hard, intense fight out of a guy like Ray. Those are always action-packed fights, so I’ve got a lot of respect for Ray. I’m a big fan of his, and I’m sure we’ll cross paths this season at some point.”

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2021 PFL 2 results: Rory MacDonald submits Curtis Millender in smooth PFL debut

Rory MacDonald’s PFL debut was a long time coming, but it may have been worth the wait.

[autotag]Rory MacDonald[/autotag]’s PFL debut was a long time coming, but it may have been worth the wait.

One of the PFL’s most high-profile free agent signings between its most recent 2019 season and the 2021 campaign, MacDonald (22-6-1) tapped out [autotag]Curtis Millender[/autotag] (18-7) with a first-round rear-naked choke in his promotional debut Thursday.

The finish came at the 3:38 mark of the opening round at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J., and gave MacDonald a crucial six points in the welterweight standings.

Millender wasn’t shy throwing kicks and punches early and tried to counter MacDonald’s early punches. But a little shy of the midway point, MacDonald moved in for a takedown. And while Millender defended initially, MacDonald got him to the canvas fairly quickly with nearly half the round left.

MacDonald moved around to take Millender’s back and with two minutes left had a body triangle. Millender defended at first, but in short order MacDonald had his arm under the chin with a rear-naked choke. It was tight, and it didn’t take Millender long to tap.

The Red King!! 1st round submission and a successful debut for Rory MacDonald!#2021PFL2
🇺🇸 LIVE NOW ESPN2
🌍 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/DU6wA0wgRB

— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 30, 2021

“I put in a lot of work, a lot of sacrifice over 2020 and this year, so I’m really glad to be here and have a good performance like that,” Macdonald said after the fight. “Of course (I’m interested in Ray Cooper III). He’s the champ here.”

MacDonald, a former Bellator welterweight champion and ex-UFC title challenger, joined 2019 welterweight winner Cooper at the top of the 170-pound standings after Cooper’s first-round submission in the co-main event.

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2021 PFL 2 video: 2019 champ Ray Cooper III chokes out Jason Ponet

It looked like Jason Ponet may have found an early way to keep Ray Cooper III under control. Then Cooper changed the narrative in a hurry.

It looked like [autotag]Jason Ponet[/autotag] may have found an early way to keep [autotag]Ray Cooper III[/autotag] under control in their 2021 PFL 2 co-main event.

Then standout wrestler Cooper (21-7-1) got tired of Ponet (20-13-1) trying to knee him in the midsection. He picked him up for a big slam takedown, and from there, it was academic.

Cooper, the PFL’s 2019 welterweight season winner, worked for an arm-triangle choke, secured it, and before long the Frenchman was out cold. Cooper picked up a crucial six points in the regular season standings for the first-round finish.

Check out Cooper’s finish in the video below from Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J.

Ray Cooper III moves to the top of the welterweight standings!! 6 Point Submission for Braddah!#2021PFL2
🇺🇸 LIVE NOW ESPN2
🌍 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/jrHYYNEs4s

— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 30, 2021

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2021 PFL 2 video: Antonio Carlos Junior submits Tom Lawlor in first

Tom Lawlor looked like he might give Antonio Carlos Junior some fits early in their Thursday fight. Then Junior turned the table on him.

[autotag]Tom Lawlor[/autotag] looked like he might give [autotag]Antonio Carlos Junior[/autotag] some fits early in their Thursday fight.

Then Junior (11-5) turned the table on Lawlor (10-8) and submitted him with 17 seconds left in the first round of their light heavyweight bout at 2021 PFL 2.

Lawlor was able to work for a guillotine choke from his back in the first round, and it appeared to be tight – but not tight enough to have the Brazilian in too much trouble. After Junior got his head out, he was able to pass to full mount.

In mount, Junior worked for an arm-triangle choke, and when that wasn’t there, he jumped for a guillotine choke while nearly letting Lawlor back to his feet. It didn’t take long for Lawlor to tap, giving Junior a key six points in the light heavyweight season standings.

Check out Junior’s finish in the video below from Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J.

FIRST ROUND FINISH FOR SHOEFACE! He moves on with 6 points in the light heavyweight standings!#2021PFL2 pic.twitter.com/Y6gE82ympS

— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 29, 2021

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2021 PFL 2 video: Cezar Ferreira obliterates Nick Roehrick with quick first-round KO

If there was any question of whether Cezar Ferreira could handle a move 20 pounds north, he answered it Thursday.

If there was any question of whether [autotag]Cezar Ferreira[/autotag] could handle a move 20 pounds north, he answered it Thursday.

Ferreira (14-8) made quick work of [autotag]Nick Roehrick[/autotag] (9-2) with a first-round knockout in their light heavyweight regular season fight at 2021 PFL 2. The fight was Ferreira’s move to 205 pounds after fighting at 185 pounds for 15 fights in the UFC before signing with the PFL.

Ferreira backed Roehrick up quickly, then landed a handful of lefts and rights with Roehrick against the cage. Roehrick hit the canvas and was out just 37 seconds into the fight. The finish was the second fastest knockout in PFL light heavyweight history.

The Brazilian vaulted to the top of the light heavyweight standings with the first-round finish, which earned him the maximum 6 points.

Check out Ferreira’s finish in the video below from Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J.

.@cezarmutante gets the 6 point finish!! OMG that was devastating!#2021PFL2
🇺🇸 LIVE NOW ESPN+
🌍 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/ohhiaups6r

— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 29, 2021

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2021 PFL 2 video: Marthin Hamlet chokes out Dan Spohn early in second

Marthin Hamlet left little doubt about his game plan against Dan Spohn to open Thursday’s 2021 PFL 2 event.

[autotag]Marthin Hamlet[/autotag] left little doubt about his game plan against [autotag]Dan Spohn[/autotag] to open Thursday’s 2021 PFL 2 event.

Hamlet (7-1) bullied Spohn (18-8) to the canvas quickly in the first round and went to work in Spohn’s guard. He didn’t do a ton of damage, but he kept Spohn on his back the rest of the round.

Right away in the middle round, Hamlet landed a takedown inside of five seconds. But rather than just grind it out, Hamlet quickly worked his way to an arm-triangle choke. The position was perfect once Spohn moved his left arm the wrong way, and within a few seconds, Spohn was out cold.

The finish came 52 seconds into the second round and gave Hamlet 5 points in the light heavyweight standings.

Check out Hamlet’s finish in the video below from Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J.

MARTHIN HAMLET PUTS DAN SPOHN TO SLEEP! 5 points go to Hamlet to start off the night!!!#2021PFL2
🇺🇸 LIVE NOW ESPN+
🌍 https://t.co/jPNvomCxHI pic.twitter.com/Z08iJDZ5jm

— PFL (@PFLMMA) April 29, 2021

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2021 PFL 2 live and official results

2021 PFL 2 takes place Thursday, and you can join us for official results beginning at 6 p.m. ET (3 p.m. PT).

The event takes place at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J. The main card airs on ESPN2 following prelims on ESPN+.

In the main event, former Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald (21-6-1) makes his PFL debut against Curtis Millender (18-6) in the welterweight regular season. Plus, two 2019 season winners are back: Ray Cooper III (20-7-1) meets Jason Ponet (20-12-1) at welterweight, and Emiliano Sordi (22-8) takes on Chris Camozzi (25-14) at light heavyweight.

Official 2021 PFL 2 results include:

MAIN CARD (ESPN2, 9 p.m. ET)

Rory MacDonald vs. Curtis Millender
Ray Cooper III vs. Jason Ponet
Gleison Tibau vs. Joao Zeferino
Chris Camozzi vs. Emiliano Sordi

PRELIMINARY CARD (ESPN+, 6 p.m. ET)

Antonio Carlos Junior vs. Tom Lawlor
Cezar Ferreira vs. Nick Roehrick
Nikolay Aleksakhin vs. Sadibou Sy
Marthin Hamlet def. Dan Spohn via technical submission (arm-triangle choke) – Round 2, 0:52 – earns 5 points in light heavyweight standings

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2021 PFL 2 predictions: Can Curtis Millender upset Rory MacDonald?

Check out our staff members’ picks for the 2021 PFL 2 main card, featuring welterweights and light heavyweights.

	MacDonald vs. Millender	Cooper vs. Ponet	Tibau vs. Zeferino	Camozzi vs. Sordi
MMA Junkie readers’ consensus picks 2021: 50-34	MacDonald (84%)	Cooper (91%)	Tibau (56%)	Sordi (66%)
John Morgan @MMAjunkieJohn 2021: 53-31	MacDonald	Cooper	Zeferino	Sordi
George Garcia @MMAjunkieGeorge 2021: 52-32	Millender	Cooper	Zeferino	Camozzi
Ken Hathaway @kenshathaway 2021: 52-32 2018 Champion	MacDonald	Cooper	Zeferino	Sordi
Danny Segura @dannyseguratv 2021: 51-33	MacDonald	Cooper	Tibau	Sordi
Simon Samano @SJSamano 2021: 51-33	MacDonald	Cooper	Tibau	Sordi
Nolan King @mma_kings 2021: 50-34	Millender	Cooper	Zeferino	Sordi
Brian Garcia @thegoze 2021: 50-34 2017 Champion	MacDonald	Cooper	Tibau	Sordi
Matt Erickson @MMAjunkieMatt 2021: 48-36	MacDonald	Cooper	Tibau	Sordi
Dan Tom @DanTomMMA 2021: 48-36 2020 Champion	MacDonald	Cooper	Zeferino	Sordi
Mike Bohn @MikeBohnMMA 2021: 46-38 2014 Champion	MacDonald	Cooper	Tibau	Sordi
Abbey Subhan @kammakaze 2021: 46-38	MacDonald	Cooper	Tibau	Sordi
Farah Hannoun @Farah_Hannoun 2021: 44-40	MacDonald	Cooper	Zeferino	Sordi
BetMGM Betting Favorites	MacDonald -450	Cooper -650	Zeferino -175	Sordi -350

The PFL is back for its second event of the 2021 regular season with welterweights and light heavyweights on the docket.

2021 PFL 2 takes place Thursday at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, N.J. The main card airs on ESPN2 following prelims on ESPN+.

(Click here to open a PDF of the staff picks grid in a separate window.)

In the main event, former Bellator welterweight champion [autotag]Rory MacDonald[/autotag] (21-6-1) makes his PFL debut against [autotag]Curtis Millender[/autotag] (18-6). MacDonald is a heavy favorite at -450 at BetMGM, and he’s got a big 10-2 lead in the picks from our 12 editors, writers, videographers and radio hosts.

In the co-feature, 2019 welterweight season winner [autotag]Ray Cooper III[/autotag] (20-7-1) is back to go after his second $1 million prize. He’s the biggest favorite on the card against [autotag]Jason Ponet[/autotag] (20-12-1) at -650, and he’s our staff members’ only unanimous pick.

Our most contentious fight from a picking standpoint is between former UFC fighters [autotag]Gleison Tibau[/autotag] (34-14) and [autotag]Joao Zeferino[/autotag] (24-9) at light heavyweight. Zeferino is a mild favorite at -175, but the picks are dead even at 6-6.

And to open the main card, [autotag]Chris Camozzi[/autotag] (25-14) meets [autotag]Emiliano Sordi[/autotag] (22-8). Sordi, the 2019 light heavyweight season winner, is a -350 favorite and is a near-unanimous pick at 11-1.

In the MMA Junkie reader consensus picks, MacDonald (84 percent), Cooper (91 percent), Tibau (56 percent) and Sordi (66 percent) are the choices.

Check out all the picks above.

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MMA Junkie Radio #3153: ‘Stitch’ Duran helps break down ONE, PFL and UFC

Check out Thursday’s episode of MMA Junkie Radio with “Gorgeous” George and “Goze.”

Thursday’s edition of MMA Junkie Radio with hosts “Gorgeous” George and “Goze” is here, and you can watch in on SportsCastr beginning at noon ET (9 a.m. PT).

On Episode 3,153, the fellas welcome legendary cutman Jacob “Stitch” Duran to help recap ONE on TNT IV, as well as preview Thursday’s 2021 PFL 2 and Saturday’s UFC on ESPN 23. Tune in!

Stream or download this and all episodes of MMA Junkie Radio over at OmnyStudio. You can also catch it on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher, and more. A new episode of the podcast is released every Monday and Thursday.

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