Josh Copeland pleads guilty to assault charges, receives two years probation

Josh Copeland has received two years probation after pleading guilty to a pair of assault charges stemming from a domestic violence incident that occurred this past February, MMA Fighting confirmed with Adams County district attorney public information officer Sue Lindsay.

TMZ and MMAjunkie were first to report the news.

The 36-year-old heavyweight competed five times for the Professional Fighters League last year. Shortly after Tuesday’s decision was handed down, PFL officials released a statement to MMA Fighting stating that “Josh Copeland was released from his contract and is no longer associated with the PFL.”

Copeland, 36, was originally arrested in Adams County, Colo., on Feb. 2 following reports that he was involved in a physical altercation with his wife that left her with a bruise on her left eye and blood on her face and neck. Allegedly, Copeland slapped his wife multiple times and punched her in the face, though Copeland initially told police that he “did not remember punching his wife,” per TMZ.

The initial charges filed against Copeland were for second-degree assault, obstruction and child abuse, the latter because the altercation allegedly took place in front of the couple’s child.

In an agreement with Colorado prosecutors on Tuesday, Copeland pleaded guilty to two charges, felony second-degree assault with serious bodily injury and misdemeanor third degree assault. He will now serve two years probation, during which he must also undergo evaluation and treatment for domestic violence and substance abuse, and pay a restitution amount that is yet to be determined.

Should Copeland fulfill the terms of his probation, he will serve no jail time and his felony charge will be expunged from his permanent record.

Copeland went 2-2-1 competing for the PFL in 2019 and he made it to the heavyweight tournament finals where he was knocked out by Philipe Lins. Following Copeland’s initial arrest in February, PFL officials suspended Copeland indefinitely citing a zero tolerance policy for matters involving domestic violence.

This story has been updated with the news of Copeland’s release.