Deceased Toughman Fighter's Story Shared as Competition Returns to State

By Jon Jordan, NEWS 9

BIXBY, Oklahoma -- The Oklahoma Toughman fighter who died following an Original Toughman Competition three weeks ago will have his story shared with fellow fighters in Oklahoma.

Twenty-three-year-old Nathan Johnson's story was shared for the first time when the action returns to the SpiritBank Event Center in Tulsa March 12 and 13. Officials with the Original Toughman Competition will tell Johnson's story as a way educate fighters about the dangers of fighting.

"The Oklahoma Athletic Commission has been in contact with his [Johnson's] family, and his story will be told to fighters before every Toughman, Professional Boxing, and Mixed Martial event held in the state," said Stephen Coppler, the organization's president.

Johnson died back on February 20 of "blunt force trauma to the head," after slipping into a coma during a fight in a Toughman Competition in Oklahoma City. Johnson never woke up. The manner of Johnson's death is listed as an accident.

It was eventually determined that Johnson had complained to his family about headaches he had from a fight the night before, but he never told doctors with the Toughman Competition the next day for fear of not being allowed to fight.

By telling his story, Original Toughman officials said they hope to eliminate similar incidents from happening.

"The fighters will hear if they have an injury and cannot fight, that does not make them weak or less of a man," said Joe Miller, with the Oklahoma Athletic Commissions. "Nathan's accident could have been prevented, and I think that's what his mother, Suzie, wants everyone to know. I believe being able to say, 'Hey, this kid gave his life because he did not speak up,' speaks volumes."

More on News9.com:
- Contestant Dies After Toughman Contest
- Family Grieves Over Amateur Boxer Who Lost Life in Fight
- Autopsy Report Reveals Toughman Fighter's Cause of Death