24-Bout MMA Veteran Justin Thornton Dies Following BKFC Knockout Loss in August
Crazy 1 punch knockout BKFC 20 #BKFC20 pic.twitter.com/1ypGt3qdQi
— SEATTLE MIKE (@fightswfriends) August 21, 2021
Justin Thornton, a veteran of 24 professional mixed martial arts bouts, has reportedly died due to injuries sustained in a knockout loss under the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship banner this past August.
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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,” BKFC president Dave Feldman said in a statement released to MMAjunkie.com. “We join the rest of the combat sports community in sending our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.”
Thornton compiled a 6-18 mark in MMA over the course of a professional career that began in 2008. He entered the BKFC bout vs. Cleckler on a five-bout MMA losing streak in which he was finished by each of his opponents inside of a round — two via knockout or technical knockout. Thornton previously faced Cleckler at Island Fights 20 in 2013, losing via TKO in 65 seconds. Cleckler owned an 11-1 MMA mark and was coming off a pair of knockout wins in BKFC.
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