Bare-knuckle fighter Justin Thornton, 38, dies six weeks after a brutal 19-second KO left him partially paralyzed
Justin Thornton, 38, was taking part in the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship (BKFC) 20 in Biloxi, Mississippi on August 20 when he sustained a brutal KO defeat.
His opponent Dillon Cleckler caught him with a vicious right hook just 19 seconds into the first round, sending him face-first to the canvas before the referee quickly halted proceedings and rushed to his aid.
According to his Facebook page,, Thornton was taken straight to hospital and was partially paralyzed and put on a ventilator for several weeks.
It has now been confirmed that Thornton succumbed to his injuries on October 4, six weeks after the officially-sanctioned bout.
Thornton had a 6-18 record in his MMA career, and had previously fought several recognizable names, including UFC heavyweights Chase Sherman and Walt Harris, as well as Contender Series veterans Michael Lombardo and Austen Lane.
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Justin Ray Thornton
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