UFC Fighter Cameron Smotherman Collapses Post Weigh-In in Shocking Incident

UFC bantamweight fighter Cameron Smotherman collapsed shortly after weighing in for his match at UFC 324. The incident occurred on Friday morning at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, where Smotherman weighed in at 135.5 pounds. This alarming episode led to the cancellation of his scheduled fight against Ricky Turcios.

Cameron Smotherman’s Collapse: The Incident

Smotherman, age 28, appeared unsteady as he completed his weigh-in. After stepping off the scale, he lost consciousness and fell forward onto the stage. UFC personnel quickly responded, providing medical assistance moments after the collapse. Smotherman regained consciousness shortly after and was taken for further medical evaluation.

Impact on Scheduled Fight

As a result of this incident, Smotherman’s fight against Ricky Turcios was called off. The matchup was initially set as part of the preliminary fights scheduled for Saturday night.

Weight-Cutting Practices Under Scrutiny

Weight-cutting has become a controversial topic within mixed martial arts. UFC fighters are required to weigh in officially the morning before their fights. This is often linked to intense weight-cutting practices. Smotherman did not participate in the ceremonial weigh-in later that day, which is typically attended by fighters for fans and media.

Events from Friday’s Weigh-In

• Smotherman’s record: 12-6, marking his fourth UFC appearance.
• Ricky Turcios, a previous winner of The Ultimate Fighter, is likely to be removed from the event altogether.
• Other fighters, including Deiveson Figueiredo and Alex Perez, also faced weight-related complications, resulting in fines of 25% of their purses.

Despite these complications regarding weight, their fights are expected to continue as planned.

Highlights of UFC 324

The UFC 324 event is headlined by a highly anticipated interim lightweight title fight featuring Liverpool’s Paddy Pimblett and Justin Gaethje. This matchup has garnered significant attention and is considered one of the most awaited bouts of the year.

The recent collapse of Cameron Smotherman has raised further concerns about the safety of weight-cutting practices in the UFC. While the organization has acknowledged these issues, comprehensive reforms are still pending.