Fight in sport! Veteran fighter dies after losing fight by knockout in 'bare-knuckle boxing'

J. Thornton passed away at the age of 38. Photo: Reproduction/Twitter BKFC

The world of combat sports is in mourning. On Monday morning (4), 38-year-old American fighter Justin Thornton passed away after an injury suffered in his knockout defeat to Dillon Cleckler in the 20th edition of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC), which took place on 20 of August. The information was released by 'My MMA News' and confirmed by the organization's president, Dave Feldman.

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“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. We join the rest of the combat sports community in sending our deepest Condolences to his family and loved ones,” Feldman said in a press release.

At BKFC 20, Thornton faced Cleckler in a heavyweight fight (up to 120,2kg) and was knocked out with a right hand from his opponent just 18 seconds into the duel. He was even taken out of the ring on a stretcher, being hospitalized on the same day – with the right to a respirator.

According to reports published on his official Facebook page, Thornton was partially paralyzed and was hospitalized for several weeks after the event. He was also trying to recover from a spinal cord infection. The exact cause of death, however, has not yet been announced.

A professional since 2008, Justin Thornton had a record of eight wins and 16 losses – all of them on regional circuits – and hadn't won a match since 2016. The clash against Dillon Cleckler, in fact, was a rematch. On the first occasion, in 2013, his opponent also beat him, in a duel valid for the 'Island Fights' event.