Rondel Da’twuan Clark, an amateur MMA fighter hailing from New England, died recently three days after a fight in the Cage Titans 35. It was his second professional MMA bout with Ryan Dunn who TKO’d Clark in the third round of the bout.
The technical knockout may have, according to initial reports, caused a concussion which led to a coma inducing complication that left Rondel in the Intensive care unit for three days until he died.
Rondel Clark, a welterweight fighter, and Ryan Dunn were taking it slow in the third round with both fighters landing punches really sluggishly after the exhaustion of the opening and 2nd round. The fight, aired on FloCombat Live, was going pretty even with both fighters looking to stay ahead of each other.
The equally sized opponents were only inching forward and weren’t making progress up and until two minutes into the round. The movement happened fast and before the whistle blew, the audience saw Dunn sitting on top of Clark with a hook confirming a TKO by the referee.
Only in June did he start off his professional career with a win. In his debut bout, Clark went head on with Jordan Boisvert in Combat Zone 62: Legendary. Only 25 seconds into the match and Clark ended Boisvert with a KO in welterweight division.
Part of the integrated martial arts club in Plymouth, Clark had created a really good impression and was set to be a contender in the MMA world.
Although much investigation is yet to happen, the 72 hours spent in Beth Israel Deaconness Hospital in Plymouth didn’t amount to an explanation as to what the cause was.
An ongoing investigation, Clark’s death is now scrutinized by the Massachusetts Police department, Plymouth Police Department, the DA’s office and the Massachusetts State Athletic Committee.
However, Clark has left a number of people in melancholy starting with his high school where he was the captain of Westborough Rangers Football team who he carried to the Playoffs for the first time in 15 years. Clark, according to his family, is also a talented musician and a rap artist/poet who would record samples professionally.
The Caged Titan posted “Rondel was a cherished soul throughout his athletic career, known for his utter tenacity on the grid iron, grappling mats, and inside the MMA cage,” it read.
“We at Cage Titans extend our deepest condolences to the Clark family, who request no outside communications at this time.”
With a record of 1-1, Rondel Clark’s death has been a tragedy in the MMA/Boxing world. A candle light vigil will take place in the Bay area of Plymouth. The family along with friends and the Caged Titans open their invitation to anyone who wants to pay respect to Rondel Clark.
