Bill Cooper (mixed martial artist)
Bill "The Grill" Cooper is an American mixed martial artist and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt currently competing in the lightweight division of Strikeforce.
Career
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu
At the time of his receiving his black belt, Cooper was the youngest American to do so.
Cooper's achievements include a Pan American gold medal at the brown belt level also a silver medal at the World Jiu-Jitsu Championships in the absolute category. Then, in 2008, Cooper placed second in the middleweight division at the black belt level. Also, he has won numerous Grapplers Quest championships.
Mixed martial arts
Cooper made his amateur MMA debut in April 2008 and he amassed an undefeated amateur record of 3-0 before turning pro. All of his wins came via submission in the first round.
Cooper made his professional MMA debut in February 2011, winning via submission just 0:23 into the first round. In July 2011, Cooper signed a 4-fight deal with the MMA organization Strikeforce. He debut on the preliminary card of Strikeforce Challengers: Voelker vs. Bowling III, winning via submission in the second round.
Cooper faced Matt Ricehouse at Strikeforce Challengers 20 on November 18, 2011. He suffered his first MMA defeat, losing via unanimous decision.
Cooper is currently taking a break from his Strikeforce contract and is scheduled to face Scott "KO" Catlin at the BAMMA event BadBeat 6 on July 13, 2012.
Mixed martial arts record
|- | Loss | align="center" | 2â1 | Matt Ricehouse | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce Challengers: Britt vs. Sayers | | align="center" | 3 | align="center" | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- | Win | align="center" | 2â0 | Maka Watson | Submission (rear-[...] choke) | Strikeforce Challengers: Voelker vs. Bowling III | | align="center" | 2 | align="center" | 2:39 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |- | Win | align="center" | 1â0 | Sam Rodriguez | Submission (guillotine choke) | Gladiator Challenge - Legends Collide 2 | | align="center" | 1 | align="center" | 0:23 | San Jacinto, California, United States |