D. Clecker spoke out after the death of J. Thornton (Photo: Disclosure/BKFC)
The world of combat sports is mourning the passing of Justin Thornton, who died last Monday (04) due to a series of injuries suffered in his knockout defeat to Dillon Cleckler in the 20th edition of the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC ), which took place on August 20.
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Upon learning of his opponent's death, Dillon Clecker took to social media to mourn what had happened and pay tribute to Justin Thornton and his family.
“As a fighter, nothing prepares you for the news I received this morning on the way to training. Some of you may not have heard, but my last opponent Justin Thornton passed away last night from pneumonia. I'm absolutely devastated by this because I've known Justin for years. Not everyone knows this, but we faced each other eight years ago and he told me straight away that he wanted a rematch. I know that when he got the call to finally have the rematch on a bigger stage, he saw a huge opportunity and took it. Justin is a warrior, fighting is in his blood. He loved. He would face anyone, anytime, anywhere, and when I was left without an opponent, he jumped at the opportunity and got in there with me again. Any man or woman who steps into the ring or cage is special and takes a risk that 99,99% of the world would never take. Sometimes I still wonder why we do this. But Justin has been a fighter his entire life and deserves nothing but respect. My thoughts and prayers are with Justin Thornton and his family. Rest in peace, warrior”, wrote the fighter.
Justin Thornton was Dillon Clecker's third opponent in his professional MMA career. On that occasion, in February 2013, Clecker defeated Thornton by technical knockout in the first round in a duel valid for the Islan Fights 20 event. Eight years later, in a rematch valid for the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship, a bare-knuckle boxing organization, Clecker won again by knockout in the first round, but with a tragic ending.
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