The tragic death of Isaac T. Johnson, 31, who collapsed toward the end of his first ever amateur Thai boxing match against Corey Newell at the Matador Fighter Challenge at Cicero Stadium, has dominated news headlines over the last week.
At press time, The Matador Fighter’s Challenge website is currently down.
While widely reported as an MMA fighter, the extensive media coverage has revealed the devastating loss of a multi-talented Chicago native, known professionally as the respected music producer “Lord Haiti“ and a devoted father to six-year old daughter, Ayoola A. Johnson.
Lord Haiti: More Than the Octagon
A native of Chicago, Johnson was deeply established in the city’s artistic scene. Under the moniker “Lord Haiti,” he built a career as a talented music producer and songwriter, with credits on various tracks. His creative spirit also led him into entrepreneurship, notably with his brand OMS Organics. At the time of his death, he was balancing his production work with film school studies focused on music production, embodying the hybrid identity of a disciplined artist and ambitious professional.
A Fighter’s Motivation and Questionable Officials
Johnson’s single competitive fight was the culmination of years of martial arts discipline, including wrestling since high school, seven years of Muay Thai, 5 years of BJJ where he is a blue belt and two months of intensive boxing training. His fighter profile described his style as a Hybrid Striker—”where Fundamentals meet Finesse”—whose greatest strength was his mind.
His motivation was profoundly selfless: to retire from the sport after becoming a world champion to fulfill his true passion, which was mentoring and coaching at-risk youth in inner cities.
The fight itself, however, has been scrutinized for official conduct, particularly regarding the mandatory eight-count rule for Muay Thai contests in the state of Illinois. Examination of the fight footage reveals a deeply disturbing lapse in judgment during the second round. After Johnson’s opponent was seen kneeling, the referee began to count.
While the exact count number was obscured when the camera panned away from the action, a meticulous review of the provided video confirms that the action continued for approximately 13 seconds, far exceeding the time required for the eight-count, which should have led to a stoppage.
Furthermore, fans in the crowd were seen pleading with the referee by chanting to stop the contest, but the bout was allowed to proceed.
The Perspective of Johnson’s Fight Cornerman
The profound impact of Johnson’s character was shared by his cornerman and friend, Chris Nicholson, who immediately highlighted Johnson’s defining characteristic: “The first thing anyone remembers about Isaac is his smile,” Nicholson shared.
“It was impossible to ignore, contagious, warm and instantly disarming.”
Nicholson fondly recalled Johnson’s devotion as a father: “In the early days, he’d bring his daughter to the gym and she would sit quietly on the couch, taking everything in.”
Nicholson emphasized that Johnson’s decision to fight was not rushed, but deeply intentional:
“He put in the time, the hours, the work. He studied different disciplines, refined his craft, and waited until he truly earned the right to step into that ring,” Nicholson stated.
Johnson also served as a mentor in fatherhood to Nicholson: “He taught me a lot about being a present dad. He showed me that you should involve your kids in the things you love, encourage them into new experiences, and be right there beside them while they explore the world.”
A Horrowing Account of Delay and Doubt
The tragedy occurred toward the end of the third round when Johnson fell. Promoter Joe Goytia publicly confirmed that Johnson had passed all mandatory physicals, a fact that adds a baffling layer to the tragedy now under review by the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office and the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulations.
Johnson’s girlfriend, Charlese Antionette, provided a harrowing eyewitness account. She stated that he appeared “winded in the second round,” and her alarm grew when he fell in a “gradual fall, first to his knees then laying flat.”
She stressed that he was in perfect health leading up to the match: “I was with him for 48 hours before the fight and he was really healthy and energetic as usual.”
Antionette described the ensuing chaotic scene where she was initially told to get away, only to be left running alongside his stretcher, frantically demanding answers: “I’m asking ‘what’s wrong? what’s wrong?’ and they’re not giving me any answers.”
Her interaction with Johnson in the hallway was heartbreakingly intimate yet revealed critical gaps in the immediate response. His condition worsened rapidly, leading her to question the response: “I’m now wondering what took so long to get him oxygen,” she shared.
Witnessing his decline, she concluded, “His eyes were blank in a way I’ve never seen his eyes before. At that point I knew the love of my life was gone.”
She also questioned the overall urgency of the medical transport, recalling how, “The Superior EMTs take a long time to put Isaac in the elevator and get him outside to an ambulance. I don’t know what was taking so long, I thought they would rush him out since he wasn’t responsive.”
Johnson was transported to Loyola University Medical Center but was tragically pronounced dead shortly after midnight on Saturday, November 22nd.
As the community mourns and tributes pour in for the “vibe creator” and “true warrior,” the public is demanding answers regarding the official conduct during the fight and the speed of the medical response.
Isaac T. Johnson leaves behind a legacy defined by creative talent, dedication and a profound commitment to his family and his community’s future.
Johnson leaves behind his mother, Carol Johnson, his father Harold Johnson Jr., a sister, Briahna Gatlin, and two brothers Otis Gatlin and Harold “PJ” Johnson. He also has one daughter, Ayoola Johnson.
At press time, a GoFund me page was created to cover general expenses for Johnson’s daughter.
