Champions clash as middleweight title-holder Josh Crouch defends his belt against Georges Kopa at Fight For It IX

After a tough battle against Phil Kratz at Fight For It VIII, Atlantic MMA’s Josh Crouch left the ring wearing a belt, basking in the cheers of a hometown crowd. His evasive movements and clever angles gave him the edge in that bout, and ultimately won a unanimous decision from the judges.

But coming into his first title defense, the 4-1 middleweight faces perhaps his toughest opponent yet in Georges Kopa. Fighting out of Raleigh Institute of Martial Arts, Kopa boasts an 8-1 kickboxing record and is the current title holder in Triangle Kickboxing Promotions’ light middleweight division.

As Kopa steps up a weight class to challenge Crouch for another belt, Crouch will look to ride the momentum of his recent victory to a successful defense. A true clash of champions, this bout promises to crown a titan among the amateur ranks.

Fight For It IX takes place November 23 at Select Sportsplex in Hickory, N.C. Tickets are available online at store.atlanticmma.com.