Ian Cohen took down former NFL player Richard Seymour in the final heads-up battle
Ian Cohen clinched the 2026 World Poker Tour (WPT) Seminole Hard Rock Poker Showdown title after a grueling final table battle against professional athletes and poker veterans. The Florida resident earned $656,200 for his performance, securing his first major victory on the circuit.
By outlasting a massive field of 1,417 entries, Cohen added his name to the prestigious Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup. The tournament conclusion saw Cohen defeat three-time Super Bowl champion Richard Seymour in a dramatic heads-up match that solidified his place among the top performers of the year.
The event exceeded its $3 million guarantee by over $1.5 million, yielding a $4,534,400 prize pool. This sum was split among 178 finishers, with finalists securing the largest portions. Cohen entered the final day as the chip leader and navigated a dangerous lineup that included seasoned professionals like Frank Funaro and Raj Vohra. Despite the high pressure of the televised stage, Cohen remained composed as several notable players fell during the early levels of play.
Seymour provided a significant challenge throughout the afternoon, using his competitive experience from the NFL to apply pressure on his opponents. His second-place finish was good for a career-best $430,000.
The heads-up duel was a back-and-forth affair until the final hand, where Cohen held pocket sevens against the pocket tens of Seymour. A seven on the flop gave Cohen a set, ultimately ending the tournament. This runner-up finish lifted his career earnings over $1.8 million.
The victory propelled Cohen into the top 100 of the 2026 Player of the Year standings. Michael Amato finished third for $320,000 after a massive clash with the eventual champion.
Other finalists included Funaro, who earned $240,000 for fourth, and Johnny Bromberg, who took home $181,000 for fifth. Vohra rounded out the final table in sixth place with a $138,000 payout. Cohen expressed gratitude for the win, noting the experience would take time to process.
