Cameron Smotherman collapses at UFC 324 weigh-ins
American UFC fighter Cameron Smotherman suffered a frightening collapse at the UFC 324 weigh-ins in Las Vegas on Friday, faceplanting onto the stage moments after successfully registering his weight, reports BritPanorama.
The 28-year-old bantamweight, known by his nickname ‘The Baby-Faced Killer’, had just stepped off the scale at 135.5 pounds ahead of his scheduled bout against Ricky Turcios when his legs buckled beneath him. Smotherman stumbled forward before crashing face-first into the floor, leaving the arena in stunned silence.
The alarming incident was broadcast live on the UFC’s Morning Weigh-In Show, with a presenter noting, “That’s the first time I’ve ever seen that.” Medical personnel immediately rushed to the stricken fighter’s side as he lay motionless on the stage floor.
Witnesses reported that Smotherman appeared unresponsive for several moments before regaining consciousness. Footage circulating on social media showed him sitting up briefly before lying back down as medics attended to him. Once stable, Smotherman was unable to walk unaided and had to be physically carried from the stage by his team.
Following his medical evaluation, he was transported to hospital for further examination, though no updates on his condition have been released. The UFC confirmed that Smotherman’s contest against Turcios was scrapped from the card, with no indication of whether it might be rescheduled.
The incident has reignited discussion about the perils of weight cutting, a practice where fighters severely dehydrate themselves to meet division limits. Speculation suggests Smotherman’s body may have simply given out under the physical strain of making the bantamweight threshold.
This cancellation represents a significant setback for Smotherman, who entered the week with a professional record of 12 victories and six defeats. Despite the disturbing scenes, UFC 324 is proceeding as planned at the T-Mobile Arena, featuring Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett, who tops the bill in his bid for the interim lightweight championship against veteran Justin Gaethje.
The card also includes several former titleholders, such as Sean O’Malley, who faces China’s Song Yadong as the third-ranked bantamweight seeks to strengthen his case for another championship opportunity. Smotherman was due to appear on the preliminary portion of the event.
As we witness the tension of elite competition unfold in the Octagon, the debate continues around the high-stakes ritual of weight cutting. In this high-pressure arena where every pound counts, it is a stark reminder of the fragile line between dedication and danger.
