MMA fighter Justin Thornton has died at the age of 38.
The veteran fighter died more than a month after he was knocked out by Dillon Cleckler, during the Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship event on August 20 in Mississippi.
BKFC President Dave Feldman confirmed Thornton's tragic death on Monday, October 1.
"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," Feldman 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."
MMA Fighting reported the Thornton-Cleckler fight lasted for a matter of seconds before Thornton collapsed in the ring, after taking multiple blows to the face.
According to TMZ, the fighter stayed down for several minutes. Thornton was hospitalized and suffered serious injuries.
A post on Thornton's Facebook page made on September 23 said the fighter was paralyzed, required assistance breathing, and also suffered an infection in his lungs and spinal cord.
His partner Amber Willard said at the time despite his injuries he was in good spirits, and even joked with her.
In the post, she wrote: "I've been with Justin on and off the past 7 years those who know me personally and have met me you guys know who you are I'm here with him and I'm never leaving, him and I are very much in love!"
She continued: "As y'all know he is paralyzed he DOES NOT have a pacemaker. Here is as followed, he is on a ventilator, he has a tracheotomy, he is on ivs for infection in his lungs and medication for his spinal cord injury.
"I bathe him 4 times a week. I feed him when I am able and I give him drinks all the time. "He watches his favorite tv shows and movies on my tablet... He makes jokes."
It is not clear at this time why his health declined.
Prior to his BKFC debut, Thornton was a regular on the MMA circuit and took on the likes of Lex McMahon and UFC heavyweights Chase Sherman, Walt Harris.
