FROM BODYBUILDER TO CAGE FIGHTER

Justin Wilcox is enjoying his career change and making a name for himself in MMA in Fresno.

By James Gilliland
VSP MMA Columnist

Justin “The Silverback” Wilcox has never had it easy.

His Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) journey has taken him from the East Coast to the Central Valley.

Wilcox (6-3) started wrestling at the age five and always had to be tough, growing up with three brothers.

Justin would continue to wrestle throughout high school and go on to Edinboro University. His college wrestling career would be cut short due to a concussion. So, he took up bodybuilding as a way to stay active.

But everything would for the bodybuilder after watching an episode of the Ultimate Fighter with his wife, Leslie. He saw his former college wrestling teammate Josh Koscheck competing.

“If Kos can do it that I can surely do it,” said Wilcox. “Kos inspired me to get into it and it really fit me.”

He competed in one more bodybuilding show, he started training in MMA.

“I would win a lot of shows (bodybuilding) but I still felt empty, I didn’t have that one on one competition,” said Wilcox.

When he was bodybuilding he weighed 205 pounds. After competing in MMA, he is now down to 155 pounds.

But in his first fight, he was so underweight, he weighed in with all of his clothes on. He showed size didn’t matter, as he finished his opponent by technical knockout in the second round.

“In my first fight I was a straight wrestler,” said Wilcox. “Went in for a takedown, had no striking.”

After amassing a record of 3-2, he would eventually meet up with Koscheck again. After training together, Koscheck brought him to American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) in San Jose.

“First thing they did was put me in a ring with Phil Baroni and (Jon) Fitch,” said Wilcox. “They liked what they saw and I was on the team.”

Justin decided moved to the Fresno and start training with Koscheck at AKA Fresno.

In his last fight on the Carano vs. Cyborg, Strikeforce card, he scored a rear-naked choke at 3:16 in the third round against David Douglas (4-2). “It was a sweet victory,” said Wilcox.

Aside from being a fighter, Justin is a family man to his wife, Leslie, and their daughter Natalie.

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