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Dillon Cleckler, BKFC Fighter, Reacts to Opponent Justin Thornton’s Death

BKFC fighter Dillon Cleckler had a unique relationship and friendship with his recent opponent Justin Thornton, as the two Mississippi-born fighters fought against one another twice in the span of their careers. But, things took a tragic turn after Thornton died at just 38 years old just days after their BKFC 20 fight, following a […]

Cleckler viciously knocked out Thornton just second into the fight at BKFC 20, catching him with a big right hand that dropped him instantly. Thornton was then taken to a local hospital to treat a severe injury.

After his fight with Cleckler, Thornton also underwent treatment for a severe case of pneumonia on top of the injuries he sustained in the fight, which ultimately resulted in his tragic death.

Cleckler posted a lengthy message on his Facebook page to Thornton and his family.

“As a fighter, nothing prepares you for the news I received this morning on my way to training,” Cleckler posted. “Some of you may not of heard yet but my last opponent Justin Thornton passed away last night due to pneumonia. I can’t help but feel absolutely devastated about this because I’ve known Justin for years. Justin is a warrior. It’s in his blood to fight. He loved it. He fought anyone, anytime and anywhere and when I didn’t have an opponent, he still jumped at the opportunity.”

“My thoughts and prayers are with Justin Thornton and his family at this time. RIP warrior.”

The tragedy shocked the MMA community and most specifically BKFC and Cleckler. This comes as BKFC has risen in popularity in recent months especially with big signings such as Paige Van Zant and others.

A formal cause of death hasn’t been made public, but a young life and athlete has been taken away far too soon. Cleckler’s words go a long way in describing the type of person Thornton was to his colleagues and fellow athletes.

What is your reaction to the death of BKFC fighter Justin Thornton?

Justin Thornton Dies After Suffering Knockout Loss At BKFC 20

One-time BKFC competitor Justin Thornton has passed away due to injuries suffered in a knockout loss in August. He was 38. Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship released a statement on Thornton’s passing after an initial report from MyMMANews. “This morning we were very saddened to be notified of the passing of one of our fighters, Justin […]

One-time BKFC competitor Justin Thornton has passed away due to injuries suffered in a knockout loss in August. He was 38.

Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship released a statement on Thornton’s passing after an initial report from MyMMANews.

“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.

“We join the rest of the combat sports community in sending our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones.” (h/t MMA Fighting)

Thornton faced off against Dillon Clecker at BKFC 20. The fight ended in just 19 seconds, as Thornton was knocked unconscious and fell face first to the mat. He was taken to the hospital afterwards and was reportedly partially paralyzed from his injuries. He would remain in the hospital for several weeks as he fought off an infection from a spinal cord injury. A GoFundMe campaign was started to help his family cover medical expenses.

Prior to joining BKFC, Thornton was a mainstay on the regional MMA circuit. He compiled a 6-18 record over his career, fighting notables such as Chase Sherman and Walt Harris, as well as Contender Series alumni Michael Lombardo and Austen Lane. Most notably, he took part in a highly-publicized bout against Titan FC COO Lex McMahon in November 2020.

Everyone at LowKick MMA sends our deepest condolences to Justin Thornton’s family and friends.

Paige VanZant’s BKFC Future Still ‘Up In The Air’ Amid Recent Links With Bellator Move

UFC flyweight and strawweight alum, Paige VanZant’s future is admittedly still up in the air according to BKFC president, David Feldman, who is hopeful of keeping the two-fight veteran under the promotion’s banner, amid recent interest in a potential switch back to professional mixed martial arts under the Scott Coker-led Bellator MMA banner. Oregon native, […]

Oregon native, VanZant, inked a high-profile multi-fight deal with the bare knuckle fighting championship last year following a July armbar defeat to Amanda Ribas on ‘Fight Island’ at UFC 251, however, has yet to capture form or even a victory from two outings in the sport.

VanZant made her promotional bow at BKFC Knucklemania back in February in Miami, Florida — suffering a unanimous decision loss against Britain Hart in a main event slot.

Returning back in July in the main event of BKFC 19, VanZant rematched fellow UFC alum, Rachael Ostovich who made her organizational debut, however, suffered her second straight unanimous decision loss. VanZant had bested Hawaii’s Ostovich at UFC Fight Night Brooklyn in January 2019 in an armbar stoppage.

Admittedly, the aforenoted, Feldman explained how he was less than happy with VanZant’s decision to elect against post-fight media obligations following her summer defeat to Ostovich, as well as explaining how she now finds herself in a “must-win” scenario ahead of a potential third outing with BKFC.

“Absolutely she’s (Paige VanZant) in a must-win situation,” Feldman said of Paige VanZant’s loss to Ostovich. “I can’t keep saying, ‘She fought really good, now let’s see what happens next time.’ Eventually and now’s the time, she has to come out with a victory. Like I said, we’ll sit down with her team and see what happens. I think we’re all going to move forward together, but you’re absolutely right, she’s in a must-win situation without a doubt.“

VanZant’s immediate future with the organization was cast into doubt recently as well when she explained how she would be interested in competing under the Bellator MMA banner, where her partner, the #1 ranked middleweight Austin Vanderford competes.

“That’s always on the back of my mind,” VanZant said. “I would love for us to fight for the same organization. I would love to fight for Bellator, they’ve treated hum really well, especially now that he’s fought this way up to a title… I feel like it was good that we weren’t in the same organization because they couldn’t build him as a star bu himself. He would always kind of be in my shadow and I felt like now that I’m not with Bellator, he got to build himself up to a title shot all by himself.“

Speaking with MMA Fighting recently, Feldman admitted that he would like to offer VanZant another shot in the organization, however, noted her future was still undecided.

“We spoke to her management team and honestly it’s up in the air,” Feldman said. “We’re not 100 percent sure she’ll be back with BKFC. It looks like she will but at the end of the day, if her heart and her passion is she wants to give MMA another shot, we may give her that opportunity. I’m not here to hold anybody back.“

With Feldman planning on hosting another BKFC Knucklemania event in Miami, Florida next February, he noted his intentions to field VanZant on the card should she remain with the promotion.

“I’d love to put her on the Knucklemania card again as well,” Feldman said. “So we’ll see what happens with that this week.“

Paige VanZant Eying Bellator As BKFC Contract Nears The End

Paige Vanzant is looking at a potential run in Bellator, as she revealed that only one fight remains on her Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship contract. “12 Guage” has fought for David Feldman’s BKFC promotion twice now, but the results have not gone in her favor. First, she was paired with the tenacious Britain Hart. The […]

Continue Reading Paige VanZant Eying Bellator As BKFC Contract Nears The End at MMA News.

Paige Vanzant is looking at a potential run in Bellator, as she revealed that only one fight remains on her Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship contract.

“12 Guage” has fought for David Feldman’s BKFC promotion twice now, but the results have not gone in her favor. First, she was paired with the tenacious Britain Hart. The fight was exciting, but ultimately fans witnessed the former UFC fighter get outstruck for five, two-minute rounds. Then, in her next BKFC venture, she fought with a former UFC foe in Rachael Ostovich. Once again, Vanzant would suffer a second consecutive unanimous decision defeat in July at her new promotion.

Recently, on a podcast episode of Punchin’ In With American Top Team, Vanzant discussed her husband’s meteoric rise in the Bellator promotion. In addition, the BKFC star seemed interested in dipping her feet back into the MMA scene.

“That’s always on the back of my mind. I would love for us to fight for the same organization. I would love to fight for Bellator, they’ve treated him [Austin Vanderford] really well, especially now that he’s fought his way up to a title… I feel like it was good that we weren’t in the same organization because they couldn’t build him as a star by himself. He would be always kind of be in my shadow and I felt like now that I’m not with Bellator, he got to build himself up to a title shot all by himself,” Vanzant said.

Vanzant’s husband Austin Vanderford is unbeaten with five fights under his belt at Bellator. It appears that Vanderford is next in line to challenge Gegard Mousasi for his 185-pound title. With the success of her husband, Vanzant is highly receptive to a transition to Bellator once her BKFC contract is up.

Do you think Paige Vanzant ends up in Bellator with her husband?

Continue Reading Paige VanZant Eying Bellator As BKFC Contract Nears The End at MMA News.

Paige VanZant: ‘I Would Love To Fight For Bellator’

Paige VanZant shared that she only has one more fight on her Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship contract. She plans to possibly join Bellator where her husband also fights. VanZant is coming off a 2nd loss in a row at BKFC where she lost to another former UFC fighter, Rachel Ostovich. She has since spoke out […]

Paige VanZant shared that she only has one more fight on her Bare Knuckle Fighting Championship contract. She plans to possibly join Bellator where her husband also fights.

VanZant is coming off a 2nd loss in a row at BKFC where she lost to another former UFC fighter, Rachel Ostovich. She has since spoke out about how that fight against Ostovich has effected her mental health. The former UFC fighter and her husband (Austin Vanderford) both appeared on the ‘Punchin’ in’ podcast to talk about many things, including her future.

In the interview VanZant had this to say about her future in the fighting world, “That’s always on the back of my mind. I would love for us to fight for the same organization. I would love to fight for Bellator, they’ve treated him [Austin Vanderford] really well, especially now that he’s fought his way up to a title… I feel like it was good that we weren’t in the same organization because they couldn’t build him as a star by himself. He would be always kind of be in my shadow and I felt like now that I’m not with Bellator, he got to build himself up to a tile shot all by himself,” (H/T Sportskeeda)

Vanderford is currently next in line to fight for Gegard Mousasi’s Middleweight title. He has only had 5 fights in Bellator and his ascension has been relatively quick. He has gone from Mr.VanZant who got a shot on Dana White‘s Contender Series, to title challenger in no time.

VanZant has had her ups and downs throughout her career in the UFC and BKFC. Making the move to Bellator may be the best possible move for her. ’12 gauge’ also said in the interview that she expects to fight for 6 more years.

Does Paige VanZant fighting under the Bellator banner interest you?

VIDEO | Houston Alexander Scores Savage KO Win At BKFC 21

Houston Alexander is BACK! After a long, four-year hiatus from the world of combat sports, Alexander returned and absolutely obliterated Wes Combs in the first round of the fight. The combat sports world last saw Alexander in 2017, when he lost back-to-back fights against Rakim Cleveland in both Primus FC and Extreme Challenge. However, the […]

Houston Alexander is BACK! After a long, four-year hiatus from the world of combat sports, Alexander returned and absolutely obliterated Wes Combs in the first round of the fight.

The combat sports world last saw Alexander in 2017, when he lost back-to-back fights against Rakim Cleveland in both Primus FC and Extreme Challenge. However, the former UFC and Bellator fighter is apparently back to his best following said incredible knockout over Combs.

Alexander is unquestionably one of the most experienced veterans of the MMA world, having enjoyed extensive stints in both the UFC and Bellator. Alexander actually made his UFC debut at UFC 71, all the way back in 2007 with a win against Keith Jardine. The card that night was headlined by Chuck Liddell and Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.

It was a very back-and-forth encounter for what lasted of the first round, before Alexander absolutely pulverized Combs with a right hook followed by some nasty ground-and-pound to win the fight. It is very clear that 49-year-old Alexander is out to prove that age is just a number.

With that monstrous finish over Combs, Alexander has very much sent a message that he is still a threat to any would-be opponents at light heavyweight. With this return to form, could this be the beginning of a run for Alexander in the world of BKFC?

Who do you think Houston Alexander should fight next?