A UFC event took a worrying turn after Cameron Smotherman collapsed moments after making weight, forcing officials to cancel his scheduled fight. The incident occurred on Friday, January 23, during the official weigh-in ahead of UFC 324 in Las Vegas, shocking fans and fellow fighters present at the venue.
The 28-year-old bantamweight fighter from Tennessee successfully weighed in at 135.5 pounds for his bout against Ricky Turcios. However, just seconds after stepping off the scale, Smotherman appeared visibly disoriented before suddenly falling face-first onto the stage.
Medical staff and Smotherman’s team reacted immediately, rushing to his aid as concern spread across the arena. He was quickly carried off the platform and transported to a local hospital for further medical evaluation. Following the incident, UFC officials confirmed that his fight had been removed from Saturday’s fight card as a precaution.
While there has been no official medical update from the UFC regarding Smotherman’s condition, early speculation suggests the collapse may be linked to extreme weight-cutting practices. Fighters often rely on intense dehydration to meet weight limits before weigh-ins, followed by rapid rehydration afterward, a process that can place severe strain on the body.
Weight cutting has long been a controversial issue in mixed martial arts, with numerous fighters in the past experiencing medical emergencies, including fainting and organ stress. Smotherman’s collapse has once again raised concerns about the physical risks associated with rapid dehydration in professional combat sports.
Commentators and fans alike expressed alarm as footage of the incident quickly spread online, with many calling for stricter monitoring and regulation of weight-cutting methods. The UFC has previously introduced hydration testing and other safety measures, but incidents like this highlight ongoing challenges.
As of now, Cameron Smotherman remains under medical observation, and fans await further updates on his health and recovery. The priority, officials emphasized, is ensuring the fighter’s safety before any future competition is considered.
