News UPDATE: Justin Thornton who was brutally KO'd at BKFC 20 last August has passed away

Rip

Bad look for bare knuckle. I honestly don't know if there's need for such a thing to exist even if this was freak accident and next would happen after 300 years.
 
RIP. Sounds like irresponsible match making may have definitely contributed to this. Wasn't a fan of bareknuckle before this, even less of a fan now. Sad reality of combat sports though.
 
RIP.

I saw this live on tv, and just knew it wasn’t good. But, never imagined it would end this way. Thoughts and prayers to his family and friends.
 
Damn...

More fuel to the fighters pay discussion.
You risk your life going in there each time and then Dana gives you your 10k/10k paycheck lol.
It's a miracle people don't drop dead in the UFC also considering how bad reffing if sometimes.
 
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CroCopsLHK said:
Who his opponent is is entirely relevant. Sanctioning bodies need to look out for the health of athletes and not sanction circus level mismatches. Mismatches generate knockouts which could lead someone to fall on their neck. Sure anyone could land like that, but im sure they are more likely to land like that with great skill discrepancy. BKFC sided with entertainment before safety this time
Click to expand...
I have seen Dana White saying a couple of times that the AC wouldnt allow them to make certain fight because of how different the fighters careers are, ie a guy in his prime vs a guy nearly retiring, but at the same time, it hasnt stopped them from putting CM Punk in there, they didnt put him against a top 5 guy, but at the same time, they did put him with Gall who was younger and way better, CM Punk had no place in a pro fight, period, no AC stopped them from doing that, more recently, the put Nick Diaz vs Lawler, one still active, past his prime, but still active and in way better shape than the other, who hasnt fought in ages, and seems to have partied hard during that time, no one stopped them from making the fight.

The only recent example i cant think of an AC not allowing a fight to be made was Vitor vs Holyfield, they went to a different state, lol, AC's need to get serious about how fighters match to each other.
 
BKFC has quickly become one of my favorite sports I love the shows these guys put on for us. Rough to hear about this.
Respect to the Warrior and your sacrifices
Thank you Justin Thornton RIP.
 
Kwic said:
Damn...

More fuel to the fighters pay discussion.
You risk your life going in there each time and then Dana gives you your 10k/10k paycheck lol.
It's a miracle people drop dead in the UFC also considering how bad reffing if sometimes.
Click to expand...
Not at all the time to make it a fighter pay issue imo.

RIP……..
 
man sad news.

wish his family all the best.

and i agree commissions need to do more to keep this sport safe. to many politicians and business men letting integrity slid.
 
My best friend growing up was a Thornton, Rip bud.
 
Awful news. Martial arts can be brutal by nature but that just makes safety regulations and responsible matchmaking even more important. In this case that doesn't exactly seem to have been a priority. Rest in peace.
 
sad to hear, it was probably the fall that did him in, he landed pretty bad
 
This is very sad news.
I watched that fight live, Cleckler and Thornton should never have been matched up, it was terrible matchmaking and BKFC have to change and be far far more careful following this.

Justin Thornton fell extremely badly, face first, landed on his head, it looked ominously bad immediately.

Thoughts with Thorntons' friends and family.
Cleckler must feel absolutely terrible about this too. Knowing he was indirectly responsible for this outcome (but all within the rules of fighting etc) must be an awful feeling.
 
Jackonfire said:
I think a lot of times fans take for granted just how dangerous this sport really is. I hope he makes a full recovery.
Click to expand...

Yep. Casuals on the internet declaring that fighters are boring or point fighters, because they don't see what's happening due to the quality of matchups. If you put in any decent 200+ pound competitor in there with someone of far less ability (or even no training whatsoever), this would be the brutal result the majority of the time.
 
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