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Professional Fighters League heavyweight Josh Copeland is known to fans and opponents as the “Cuddly Bear.” However, as he heads into the biggest fight of his career at the 2018 PFL Championship on Dec. 31, a new moniker like the “Appreciative Bear” seems more fitting. The Idaho native is thankful for the financial opportunities and improved lifestyle he now has as a PFL fighter.

Copeland surprised many, as he became a finalist in the heavyweight division during this season of the PFL. He even surprised himself.

“Even though I knew I could hang with [the heavyweights on the roster], I didn’t view myself as making it to the finals,” Copeland told Sherdog.com.

Even a week after his successful run through the quarterfinals and semifinals of the PFL playoffs, he still had feelings of euphoria over his achievement.

“To be honest, the whole first week afterwards I felt like I was dreaming. I just had that surreal feeling [of], ‘Did that really happen?’” he said with a laugh.

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