Quick Facts
Biography
Brett Cooper (born July 2, 1987) is an American mixed martial artist who formerly fights for Bellator Fighting Championships in the Middleweight division and has also fought as a Welterweight. He has also competed in the IFL, Affliction, Shooto, and Jungle Fight. He fights out of Reign Training Center, alongside UFC Middleweight Mark Munoz. ACB Welterweight champion.
Background
Cooper was born in Los Angeles, California, and has lived in Long Beach, California his whole life.
Mixed martial arts career
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.
Bellator Fighting Championships
Season 2 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 8 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 10 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 win over by unanimous decision.
Cooper is expected to face Aslanbek Saidov at ACB 50: Rasulov vs. Goltsov on December 18, 2016.
Personal life
Cooper is married and has a daughter.
Championships and accomplishments
- Absolute Championship Berkut
- Welterweight championship (one time, current)
- Bellator Fighting Championships
- Bellator Season 8 Middleweight Tournament Runner-Up
Mixed martial arts record
| Professional record breakdown | ||
| 35 matches | 23 wins | 12 losses |
| By knockout | 15 | 5 |
| By submission | 2 | 2 |
| By decision | 6 | 5 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 23–12 | Aslambek Saidov | TKO (punches) | ACB 50 | December 18, 2016 | 3 | 0:27 | St.Petersburg, Russia | Won the vacant ACB Welterweight championship. |
| Win | 22–12 | Beslan Isaev | Decision (unanimous) | ACB 43 | August 20, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Penza, Russia | |
| Loss | 21–12 | Maiquel Falcao | KO (punch) | KSW 32 | October 31, 2015 | 1 | 0:59 | London, England | |
| Win | 21–11 | Jessie Glass | TKO (punches) | Gladiator Challenge: California State Championship Series | June 20, 2015 | 1 | 2:11 | San Jacinto, California, United States | |
| Loss | 20–11 | Mamed Khalidov | Decision (unanimous) | KSW 29 | December 6, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Kraków, Poland | |
| Loss | 20–10 | Brandon Halsey | Submission (armbar) | Bellator 122 | July 25, 2014 | 1 | 2:09 | Temecula, California, United States | Bellator Season 10 Middleweight Tournament Final |
| Win | 20–9 | Kendall Grove | KO (punches) | Bellator 114 | March 28, 2014 | 2 | 3:33 | West Valley City, Utah, United States | Bellator Season 10 Middleweight Tournament Semifinal |
| Loss | 19–9 | Alexander Shlemenko | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 98 | September 7, 2013 | 5 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | For the Bellator Middleweight Championship. |
| Loss | 19–8 | Doug Marshall | KO (punches) | Bellator 95 | April 4, 2013 | 1 | 3:39 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Bellator Season 8 Middleweight Tournament Final |
| Win | 19–7 | Dan Cramer | TKO (punches) | Bellator 92 | March 7, 2013 | 3 | 3:19 | Temecula, California, United States | Bellator Season 8 Middleweight Tournament Semifinal |
| Win | 18–7 | Norman Paraisy | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 89 | February 14, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Charlotte, North Carolina, United States | Bellator Season 8 Middleweight Tournament Quarterfinal |
| Win | 17–7 | Darryl Cobb | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 80 | November 9, 2012 | 3 | 5:00 | Hollywood, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 16–7 | Jared Hess | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 58 | November 19, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Hollywood, Florida, United States | |
| Win | 15–7 | Joe Doerksen | TKO (punches) | Score Fighting Series 2 | October 14, 2011 | 1 | 3:55 | Hamilton, Ontario, Canada | |
| Win | 14–7 | Valdir Araujo | TKO (punches) | Bellator 50 | September 17, 2011 | 3 | 0:35 | Hollywood, Florida, United States | |
| Loss | 13–7 | Alexander Shlemenko | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 44 | May 14, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
| Win | 13–6 | Keith Berry | KO (punches) | Lords of the Cage | November 19, 2010 | 1 | 0:10 | Temecula, California, United States | |
| Win | 12–6 | Matt Major | TKO (punches) | Bellator 29 | September 16, 2010 | 2 | 1:27 | Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States | Moves up to Middleweight |
| Loss | 11–6 | Steve Carl | Decision (split) | Bellator 15 | April 22, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Bellator Season 2 Welterweight Tournament Quarterfinal |
| Win | 11–5 | Sérgio Moraes | KO (punch) | Jungle Fight 16 | October 17, 2009 | 2 | 5:00 | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil | |
| Loss | 10–5 | Waachiim Spiritwolf | TKO (punches) | Fight Force International: Ultimate Chaos | June 27, 2009 | 1 | 3:41 | Biloxi, Mississippi, United States | |
| Win | 10–4 | Joe Cronin | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Call To Arms 1 | May 16, 2009 | 1 | 1:17 | Ontario, California, United States | |
| Win | 9–4 | Patrick Speight | TKO (punches) | Affliction: Day of Reckoning | January 24, 2009 | 2 | 4:10 | Anaheim, California, United States | |
| Win | 8–4 | Dusty Arden | KO (punches) | PureCombat 4: Bombs Away | June 6, 2008 | 2 | 0:39 | Visalia, California, United States | |
| Win | 7–4 | Rory Markham | TKO (punches) | IFL - World Grand Prix Finals | December 29, 2007 | 2 | 1:15 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 6–4 | Jason Von Flue | TKO (punches) | PureCombat 1: From the Ashes | December 1, 2007 | 1 | N/A | Visalia, California, United States | |
| Win | 5–4 | Vince Guzman | Submission (anaconda choke) | Shooto - The Arrival: This is Shooto | August 18, 2007 | 1 | 1:58 | Irvine, California, United States | |
| Loss | 4–4 | Toby Grear | Decision | Total Fighting Alliance 6: War on the Shore | April 28, 2007 | 3 | 5:00 | Santa Monica, California, United States | |
| Win | 4–3 | Jesse Romero | Submission (guillotine choke) | Total Fighting Alliance 5: Conflict on the Coast | February 24, 2007 | 2 | 2:09 | Santa Monica, California, United States | |
| Win | 3–3 | Conor Heun | Decision (split) | Total Fighting Alliance 4: Fight Night, Fright Night | November 3, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Carson, California, United States | |
| Loss | 2–3 | Jesse Romero | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Universal Above Ground Fighting: Kaos on the Kampus | May 20, 2006 | 2 | 3:52 | Los Angeles, California, United States | |
| Loss | 2–2 | Bryan Joplin | Decision (unanimous) | California Xtreme Fighting 1 | April 29, 2006 | 3 | 5:00 | Upland, California, United States | |
| Loss | 2–1 | Ed Ratcliff | KO (spinning heel kick) | Total Combat 12 | December 17, 2005 | 2 | N/A | Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico | |
| Win | 2–0 | Jesse Romero | Decision (unanimous) | World FC: Rumble at the Ramada | December 8, 2005 | 3 | N/A | Norwalk, California, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Cody Culkin | TKO (punches) | Total Combat 10 | October 25, 2005 | 1 | 1:38 | San Diego, California, United States |