Tag: dillon cleckler

Video – UFC alum Roy Nelson lands stunning KO win over Dillon Cleckler at Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA

Roy Nelson stops Dillon Cleckler with first round KO Gamebred Bareknuckle MMAFormer UFC heavyweight contender and The Ultimate Fighter 10 winner, Roy Nelson managed to rack up his first mixed martial arts victory since 2017 last night in the main event of a Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA card – promoted by former UFC welterweight, Jorge Masvidal. Nelson, a fan-favorite knockout puncher, made his first mixed martial arts […]

Roy Nelson stops Dillon Cleckler with first round KO Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA

Former UFC heavyweight contender and The Ultimate Fighter 10 winner, Roy Nelson managed to rack up his first mixed martial arts victory since 2017 last night in the main event of a Gamebred Bareknuckle MMA card – promoted by former UFC welterweight, Jorge Masvidal.

Nelson, a fan-favorite knockout puncher, made his first mixed martial arts walk since 2020 in his return to action last night, most recently dropping his fifth consecutive loss in the form of a unanimous decision defeat against Valentin Moldavsky.

Roy Nelson adds to his knockout rate with a stoppage of Dillon Cleckler

However, managing to snap his recent losing skid stretching back to 2018, Roy Nelson turned back the clock with a stunning win over fellow headliner, Dillon Cleckler inside the opening round in Sunrise, Florida.

Dropping the highly-touted Cleckler in the opening frame, Nelson swarmed and finished the bout with follow up strikes. 

The victory came as Las Vegas native, Nelson’s first since he defeated Javy Ayala in a unanimous decision victory in his Bellator MMA debut.

A fan-favorite knockout striker over the course of his storied mixed martial arts career, Nelson, 46, holds triumphs over the likes of Brendan Schaub, Stefan Struve, Mirko Cro Cop, Matt Mitirone, Chieck Kongo, Minotauro Nogueira, and ‘Bigfoot’ Silva. 

In a preliminary bout on TUF 10 – which Nelson went on to win outright, the Nevada native stopped the late sport icon, Kimbo Slice with a second round TKO win to boot. 

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

Dillon ClecklerBKFC 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 […]

Dillon Cleckler

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 battle with pneumonia.

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?