The veteran fighter passed away weeks after battling injuries from the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship event against Dillon Cleckler on August 20 in Mississippi.
- Oct 5, 2021
AceShowbiz - MMA star Justin Thornton has died after a violent KO loss. The fighter passed away on Monday, October 4, more than a month after he was knocked out during a fight against Dillon Cleckler. He was 38 years old.
Confirming the sad news was BKFC President Dave Feldman. "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," he said in a statement to MMA Fighting. "We join the rest of the combat sports community in sending our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones."
The cause of death has yet to be revealed, but Justin had been battling injuries for weeks following the KO loss. MMA Fighting reported during a Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship event on August 20 in Mississippi, Justin collapsed in the ring just seconds into the fight after taking multiple blows to the face. According to TMZ, Justin stayed down for several minutes.
He was then hospitalized with serious injuries. On September 23, his Facebook page gave an update on his condition, revealing that the fighter was paralyzed, required assistance breathing, and also suffered an infection in his lungs and spinal cord.
Despite his injuries, his partner Amber Willard said at the time that Justin was in good spirits as he was awake and able to joke around. She added that he wanted "to let everyone know that he thanks all of y'all for the support and we are gonna get him through this!!!!!"
Justin had been professionally fighting for over the decade. He competed in several regional promotions and compiled a 6-18 record, with fights against a number of recognizable names including UFC heavyweights Chase Sherman and Walt Harris as well as Contender Series veterans Michael Lombardo and Austen Lane.
