Incident Overview
In a concerning incident during the weigh-in for UFC 324, bantamweight fighter Cameron Smotherman collapsed shortly after successfully making weight. The event took place at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Friday afternoon, where Smotherman weighed in at 135.5 pounds for his scheduled fight against Ricky Turcios, set to take place on Saturday.
Details of the Collapse
Witnesses reported that Smotherman appeared to be in good spirits as he approached the stage. However, shortly after weighing in, he showed signs of distress, his eyes appearing heavy and blinking slowly. As he attempted to move off the scale, he lost his balance and fell forward, hitting his head and chin on the platform in a troubling scene.
Medical Response
Medical personnel quickly rushed to his side when he collapsed, and after an initial assessment, he was briefly able to sit up with help before lying back down. Approximately three minutes later, Smotherman was assisted to a seated position once again, but he appeared to lose consciousness as UFC staff carried him off the stage.
Aftermath
A UFC representative confirmed that Smotherman was transported to a hospital for precautionary measures, though he has since been discharged. This incident has resulted in the cancellation of his bout with Turcios, which was meant to take place on the undercard of UFC 324, the organization’s first event to be broadcast exclusively on Paramount+ following a lengthy partnership with ESPN.
Conclusion
This incident highlights the physical toll and risks fighters often face during weigh-ins, a critical yet intense moment leading up to competition.
