Justin Wilcox is a former professional bodybuilder and currently competes in the Lightweight division of Bellator. Wilcox also competed for Strikefore holding a record of 5-3 in the organization. Justin began wrestling when he was five years old and continued in the sport through college at the Edinboro University of Pennsylvania alongside Josh Koscheck, who was an NCAA Champion.

Wilcox excelled at the collegiate level, becoming an NCAA qualifier as a true freshman and as a sophomore he won several tournaments. However, after being hit with an inadvertent headbutt which may have caused a concussion, Wilcox was preparing for another match when he slipped and knocked himself out when he hit the floor. The concussion, along with multiple bone fractures, were severe enough to end his career.

Wilcox was inspired to compete in MMA after seeing Koscheck on the first season of "The Ultimate Fighter".  At the time, Wilcox was a professional bodybuilder and had won various contests while also running a gym in Pennsylvania, and he also weighed 205 lbs. After a shaky 2-2 start to his career, Wilcox moved to train with Koscheck at American Kickboxing Academy as well as dropping down a weight class to compete at lightweight.

After over a year away from the sport, Wilcox was signed by Bellator as a last minute replacement for their Season 9 Featherweight tournament, marking the first time Wilcox ever competed as a featherweight. Wilcox replaced Shahbulat Shamhalaev on just a few days notice and fought against Akop Stepanyan at Bellator 99. Despite losing the first round decisively, Wilcox mounted a comeback in the second round and won via rear naked choke submission moving him into the next round of the tournament.

Wilcox faced up-and-comer Joe Taimanglo in the semifinals at Bellator 103. Wilcox controlled the entire matchup and won via unanimous decision.

In the finals of the featherweight tournament at Bellator 108, Wilcox fought Top 15 featherweight, Patricio Freire. Wilcox lost the fight via first round technical knockout. After the loss, Wilcox decided to return to his natural weight class of lightweight (155 lbs.).

Wilcox defeated Jason Fischer by unanimous decision at Bellator 114 on March 28, 2014

Wilcox faced Daniel Straus in the main event at Bellator 127 on October 3, 2014. He lost the fight via knockout in the first round.