UFC Fighter Cameron Smotherman Collapses After Weigh-In, Bout Cancelled
UFC bantamweight contender Cameron Smotherman was taken for immediate medical evaluation after collapsing moments after successfully making weight ahead of Saturday's UFC 324 event in Las Vegas. The harrowing incident, which unfolded during Friday morning's official weigh-ins at T-Mobile Arena, has prompted the cancellation of his scheduled preliminary card fight and reignited urgent debate over the perilous weight-cutting practices prevalent in mixed martial arts.
Harrowing Scene at T-Mobile Arena
The 28-year-old American fighter, Cameron Smotherman, appeared visibly unstable as he completed the mandatory weigh-in procedure. After stepping onto the scale and registering precisely at the bantamweight limit of 135.5 pounds, Smotherman walked off the platform before losing consciousness entirely and falling forward onto the stage floor in a distressing scene captured by attending media.
UFC staff and on-site medical personnel intervened with remarkable speed, attending to the collapsed fighter within mere seconds of the incident. Smotherman regained consciousness shortly afterward and was promptly escorted away from the arena for a comprehensive examination by physicians. The promotion has, as yet, declined to release any additional details regarding his current medical condition or prognosis.
Fight Cancellation and Card Implications
As a direct consequence of this medical emergency, Smotherman's scheduled three-round bantamweight contest against Ricky Turcios has been officially scrapped from the UFC 324 lineup. The matchup was originally slated for the preliminary portion of Saturday night's pay-per-view card. Turcios, a former winner of The Ultimate Fighter reality series, is now expected to be removed from the event entirely, leaving a gap in the fight schedule.
This development is a significant setback for Smotherman, who entered fight week with a professional record of 12-6 and was preparing for only his second appearance under the prestigious UFC banner. The cancellation underscores the physical toll and inherent risks associated with the extreme weight management protocols fighters endure before competition.
Broader Weigh-In Complications and Event Context
Friday's official weigh-ins were marked by further complications beyond Smotherman's collapse. Notably, former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo came in over the bantamweight limit for his scheduled bout, as did flyweight contender Alex Perez. Both fighters have been fined 25% of their respective fight purses as a penalty, though their contests are still expected to proceed as planned despite the weight misses.
Saturday's UFC 324 event remains headlined by a highly anticipated interim lightweight title fight between Liverpool's popular star, Paddy Pimblett, and the formidable Justin Gaethje. This main event is considered one of the promotion's most significant matchups of the year, though it is now overshadowed by the serious health scare involving Smotherman earlier in the day.
Renewed Scrutiny on Weight-Cutting Practices
The incident involving Cameron Smotherman represents the latest in a series of episodes that have forced renewed scrutiny on the dangerous weight-cutting culture within mixed martial arts. Fighters are required to weigh in officially the morning before competition, a process often preceded by severe dehydration and drastic weight loss methods to hit contractual limits.
While fighters typically participate in a separate ceremonial weigh-in for fans and media later the same day, Smotherman was notably absent from Friday evening's event, remaining under medical care. The UFC has publicly acknowledged the health risks associated with these practices but has yet to implement comprehensive reforms to safeguard athlete welfare, a point of persistent criticism from medical experts and fighter advocates.
This alarming collapse at a premier event serves as a stark reminder of the physical extremes athletes face and prompts urgent questions about the sport's duty of care and the need for systemic change in its weight management policies.
