Josh Copeland is a former ministry student whose nickname is “Cuddly Bear,” but do not let those facades fool you. He is quietly putting together an impressive resume as a professional mixed martial artist.
The 33-year-old Copeland will challenge Blagoy Ivanov for the World Series of Fighting heavyweight championship in the WSOF 31 main event on Friday at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. The Idaho-born Copeland has a laid-back Midwestern manner about him and never truly planned on throwing his hat in the MMA ring.
Copeland was raised in Arkansas before moving to Fort Worth, Texas, to study youth ministry at Dallas Baptist College.