Ray Cooper III remembers the first time he saw his dad fight. It was July 9, 2004 against Jake Shields, and the vacant Shooto welterweight championship was on the line.

Cooper III, only 11 years old at the time, actually had walked his dad out to the ring that night at Neal Blaisdell Center in Honolulu. And what he witnessed was his father get submitted in the first round by rear-naked choke. The title victory was revenge for Shields, who’d lost a close majority decision to Ray Cooper Jr. two years earlier.

Now, 14 years later, it’ll be Cooper III (13-4) looking for redemption on his father’s behalf when he meets Shields (32-9-1) on Thursday night in the PFL 3 headliner to cap off a main card that airs on NBCSN following bouts streamed on Facebook.

“It’s kind of crazy fighting his son,” Shields, 39, told MMAjunkie Radio this week. “I remember when they asked me, ‘Oh, why don’t you fight Ray Cooper?’ I’m like, ‘Ray Cooper? I already fought a Ray Cooper (from) Hawaii.’ And then I looked him up, and sure enough it was the son of Ray Cooper (Jr.). Definitely interesting. I don’t think this has happened too much in the sport. … It’s the only time I know of it happening.”

As rare as this matchup might be, Cooper III believed it was destined to happen all along. And so did his father.

“When I saw that fight, I knew I was going to fight that guy,” he told Hawaiian FOX affiliate KHON2. I’m going to fight him when I get of age and it’s so awesome that it’s happening now.”

“Everything is timing,” Cooper Jr. said told. “His mentality is right right now. As he grew up and he kept talking about (Shields) in the back of my mind I was like, it might happen. Jake was still fighting and still on top and still good. Sooner or later I kind of thought it would come around,” Cooper Jr said.

At 25, Cooper III is 14 years Shields’ junior. He owns 13 stoppages (eight knockouts and five submissions) in 13 career wins since turning pro in 2012. Although Cooper III has competed for some top regional promotions, his PFL 3 headliner with Shields is his highest-profile bout yet.

It’s personal, of course, but there’s also the chance to secure points toward the welterweight playoffs that culminate with a $1 million grand prize. And there’s the sheer meaning of defeating someone of Shields’ stature – a former champion of major promotions, including Strikeforce, and UFC title challenger.

Suffice to day, it’s a big moment for Cooper III’s career.

“The number one reason why I wanted to fight in this promotion is because Jake Shields was fighting in it, and he was one of the top guys,” Cooper III said. “He beat the (current) UFC champion (Tyron Woodley). He beat Dan Henderson. He beat Robbie Lawler, the former welterweight champion. So, a win over him puts me at the top of any organization. That’s what I’m looking forward to, and I’m not looking past him, but I’m looking to go all the way and win this whole thing.”

For more on PFL 3, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.