Cameron Smotherman Collapses at UFC 324 Weigh-In
Cameron Smotherman collapse UFC 324 weigh-in
The UFC was forced to abruptly terminate its official weigh-in broadcast on Friday, January 23, 2026, after bantamweight Cameron Smotherman collapsed on stage shortly after stepping off the scale. Smotherman, 28, was preparing for his undercard bout against Ricky Turcios at UFC 324, headlined by the interim lightweight title fight between Justin Gaethje and Paddy Pimblett. After successfully hitting the bantamweight limit of 136 pounds, Smotherman appeared visibly frail and momentarily lost consciousness, falling face-first onto the stage in what witnesses described as a “shocking and scary” scene. UFC medical staff and his cornermen immediately rushed to his aid; though he regained consciousness quickly, he was transported to a local hospital for further evaluation and treatment for severe dehydration.
Following the incident, UFC officials confirmed that the bout between Smotherman and Turcios has been canceled due to medical concerns. The promotion prioritized Smotherman’s health, citing the physical toll of the weight cut as the primary factor. The collapse has reignited a fierce debate within the mixed martial arts community regarding the dangers of extreme weight cutting. The Voluntary Anti-Doping Association (VADA) issued a statement on social media shortly after the incident, warning that “drastic weight cuts continue to risk fighters acutely” and can contribute to long-term issues such as renal disease. Former champions and commentators, including Daniel Cormier and Chris Weidman, expressed their concern during the broadcast, noting that while “blacking out” is a known risk of the process, a face-first collapse is an extreme indicator of physiological distress.
Smotherman, known as “The Baby-Faced Killer,” was looking to rebound at UFC 324 after losing his previous two bouts by decision. This was his fourth appearance under the UFC banner since his successful short-notice debut in late 2024. While he is reportedly in stable condition and responsive, his future in the bantamweight division remains uncertain, with many peers and fans suggesting a move up to the featherweight division (145 lbs) to avoid similar health crises in the future. The UFC 324 card will proceed with the remaining scheduled bouts, though the “weight cut debacle” has cast a somber shadow over the highly anticipated return of the promotion to Las Vegas.
The cancellation of the Smotherman-Turcios fight was not the only weight-related issue on Friday; bantamweight contenders Deiveson Figueiredo and Alex Perez also struggled during their respective cuts, with both fighters reportedly forfeiting 25% of their purses to remain on the card. As the UFC moves toward Saturday’s event, the health of its athletes remains a primary focus for both regulators and the promotion’s executive leadership.
