They say a college campus is one of the most diverse atmospheres one will encounter in his or her lifetime. When on a campus, there is a mixture of students and faculty. Some of the people walking around are more than your average student.

Criminal Justice and Business major KC Cooper is an example of that as a student, part-time worker and fighter. Cooper is a student by day and amateur Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter by trade.

Mixed Martial Arts fighting is intense fighting in a caged environment, in which the loser typically ends up bloody and unconscious. Mixed Martial Arts is just not a pick up sport-it takes guts and some would say a loose screw or two.

Cooper credits his roommate with his 10-month Mixed Martial Arts career. “My roommate was like, ‘Man, I think you should do it-it’s good training’, so I tried it,” said Cooper.

This drive and determination in Cooper was installed at a young age. “My grandparents and Aunts help motivate me and show me that you’re nothing without heart.”

Growing up in Birmingham, he cultivated his skills for multitasking at a high level, playing three varsity sports: track, soccer and football. Cooper’s family have always been supportive of him doing a variety of things. Participating in a variety of sports back in high school has helped in MMA training.

“It takes an athlete to compete at a high level,” said Cooper. Soccer helps with endurance while in the cage, track with flexibility, and football with the ability to deal with pain.

There is a very strict regimen being a student, fighter and part-time employee. Cooper’s days consist of 6 a.m. runs, school, work and then more training. The style of fighting that Cooper uses consists of formal style wrestling and judo. “The judo and wrestling helps with the takedown and ground-and-pound game,” said Cooper.

Cooper’s amateur career has only just begun, fighting only one match with a late loss to an opponent. “That loss taught me a lot. It shows that cardio is a key and you just can’t go for the knockout.” Cooper lost his first match after failing to impose his ground-and-pound game upon his opponent.

Cooper has installed some new moves for his upcoming fight. “I’m only 5’6, but I’m a southpaw,” said Cooper. “Most fighters are not used to that, so I take it to my advantage. I’ve been working on landing the fatal knockout blow.”

Cooper’s fight April 30 has forced him to retool himself and get mentorship from other victorious fighters and pro David Barber. “I’ve spoken with him a few times, and I just stay humble,” said Cooper.

Barber will be in attendance for Cooper’s next fight.

“When fighting you have to black out in that cage, forget about everything and keep going. When you get down, don’t give up,” said Cooper.

Cooper’s plans for the future are winning the next two matches for a title shot, graduating from school and becoming a U.S. Marshal-and working so that he and his roommate can become pro fighters.