Investigation into MMA athlete's death underway following fight

PLYMOUTH, Mass. — An investigation is underway after an MMA athlete died after a competition over the weekend.

Plymouth County District Attorney's office said Rondel Clark, 26, of Sutton, was pronounced dead at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center early Tuesday morning.

Clark competed as part of Cage Titans XXXV on Saturday at Plymouth Memorial Hall.

The match was stopped after approximately two minutes into the third round and ruled a technical knockout, according to investigators.

“It was just really sad because no one knew," Kelley MacDOnald said. "We just assumed he’d go to the hospital and recover and be out just like several fighters have; they get fluid and get back to normal and he just never left.”

During a post-fight examination, it was determined he needed to be taken to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth. Clark was then transferred to Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

The Office of the State Medical Examiner will determine the cause and manner of Clark's death.

The investigation is ongoing by State Police Detectives assigned to the Plymouth County District Attorney's Office, Plymouth Police and the Massachusetts State Athletic Commission.

Cox Media Group