MMA fighter Josh Copeland has been arrested and charged with domestic abuse in Colorado, for allegedly striking his wife in front of their child.
According to an Adams County, Colorado, police report, Copeland’s wife was found with “an obvious bruise on her left eye, a cut and was bleeding.” Police added, “There was blood down the front of her face and neck,” TMZ reported.
Officers responded to a call about domestic violence at the couple’s home on February 2.
Police also said that the victim told them the two got in a shoving match after which she slapped her husband. In response, Copeland allegedly punched her in the face, and then confiscated her phone, so she could not call police. For his part, the MMA fighter said his wife was attacking him verbally for an extended period of time.
The 6’1″, 36-year-old fighter, though, told police he had no recollection of punching his wife.
Copeland was arrested and charged with second-degree assault, obstruction, and child abuse and was then released.
The Professional Fighters League has indefinitely suspended the heavyweight pending the outcome of the domestic violence incident.
“The PFL has zero tolerance for matters involving domestic violence. Per our company policy, following his arrest, Josh Copeland has been suspended indefinitely,” the PFL said in a statement.
Copeland has earned an 18 and 6 record as an MMA fighter. He also fought for the UFC in 2014 and 2015.
His most notable achievement was to earn a $1 MILLION championship fight in the PFL heavyweight tournament. However, Copeland lost to Philipe Lins on Dec. 31, 2018.
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