A scheduled UFC fight for Saturday night has been called off after fighter Cameron Smotherman collapsed following the official weigh-in. Smotherman was set to face Ricky Turcios at UFC 324, taking place at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada.
The incident occurred during the final weigh-in on Friday afternoon, where the 28-year-old Smotherman weighed in at 135.5 pounds. Shortly after stepping off the scale, he fainted, prompting immediate medical attention. Video footage captured the moment he walked away from the scale before collapsing, and medical personnel quickly came to his aid. After a few moments, he regained consciousness and was carried off the stage.
In light of the incident, the fight was unfortunately canceled. Later that evening, Smotherman took to Instagram to reassure fans that he was fine and to express his gratitude for the concern shown by the public. “I’m not entirely sure what happened,” he explained in the video. “I genuinely did not cut very much weight for this fight.” He also mentioned that he intends to undergo further medical tests in the coming weeks to identify the cause of his fainting. Additionally, Smotherman conveyed his apologies to Turcios for the unexpected cancellation.
This incident highlights the importance of fighter health and safety in the sport, ensuring that athletes are not just physically prepared but also monitored for their overall well-being before stepping into the octagon.