LAS VEGAS — A frightening moment overshadowed Friday’s official weigh-ins for UFC 324 when bantamweight Cameron Smotherman collapsed immediately after making weight. Smotherman successfully hit the scale at 135.5 pounds for his scheduled bout against Ricky Turcios, but moments later fainted and fell face-first onto the stage. The impact was audible inside the venue, prompting immediate concern from fighters, officials, and fans in attendance.
Medical personnel rushed to Smotherman’s aid as he briefly sat up before lying back down on the stage. After several tense moments, he appeared conscious but was unable to leave under his own power and was carried off by staff.
Shortly thereafter, the UFC announced that Smotherman’s fight with Turcios was officially scrapped from Saturday night’s card at T-Mobile Arena.
Cause Unknown, Safety Comes First
At the time of publication, the cause of Smotherman’s collapse has not been disclosed. Weight cuts remain one of the most physically taxing aspects of MMA, and the UFC opted to err on the side of caution by pulling the bout entirely.
Smotherman, known by the nickname “The Baby-Faced Killer,” entered fight week looking to snap a two-fight skid after decision losses to Ricky Simon and Serhiy Sidey earlier in 2025. Prior to those setbacks, the 12-6 professional earned a win in his UFC debut over Jake Hadley.
While the cancellation is a setback competitively, the focus now shifts to Smotherman’s health and recovery.
UFC 324 Moves Forward
Despite the unsettling scene, UFC 324 proceeds as scheduled Saturday night in Las Vegas, though the incident once again highlights the risks associated with extreme weight management in combat sports.
For Smotherman, the priority is clear: get healthy first. Any return to the Octagon will come later.
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Robert LaMar is a writer for Dice City Sports. You can follow him on X via @RobertLaMar26
