A BARE Knuckle Fighter passed away nearly two months after a knockout left him partially paralyzed.
Heavyweight mixed martial artist veteran Justin Thornton, 38, died on October 4 after sustaining a brutal knockout at Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship 20 on August 20, 2021.
Dillon Cleckler knocked out Thornton with a vicious right hook in the first round of the August bout.
The fight lasted just 19 seconds, with Thornton falling face-first to the canvas after he was knocked out during a rapid-fire exchange in the middle of the ring.
His fight against Cleckler was his lone fight for the promotion.
In a statement to MMA Fighting, BKFC announced Thornton’s passing several weeks after his fight at BKFC 20 in Mississippi.
“This morning we were very saddened to be notified of the passing of one of our fighters, Justin Thornton, who competed at BKFC 20 on August 20, 2021,” BKFC President Dave Feldman said.
“We join the rest of the combat sports community in sending our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.”
According to his Facebook page, Thornton was hospitalized after he suffered the knockout blow at BKFC 20.
Thornton was reportedly partially paralyzed after the fight and was on a ventilator for several weeks.
The veteran fighter also suffered an infection, steeming from a spinal cord injury.
Throughout his MMA career, Thronton competed in several regional promotions and boasted a 6-18 record.
Thronton fought recognizable names, including UFC heavyweights Chase Sherman and Walt Harris and Contender Series veterans Michael Lombardo and Austen Lane.
