UFC bantamweight Cameron Smotherman collapsed immediately after making weight Friday, resulting in the cancellation of his scheduled fight against Ricky Turcios at UFC 324 in Las Vegas.
Smotherman (12-6) weighed in at 135.5 pounds at T-Mobile Arena Friday morning, meeting the bantamweight limit. However, shortly after stepping away from the scale, he fell to the floor and had to be carried off by medical personnel. Physicians tended to Smotherman on-site. Turcios successfully made weight, but the bout was ultimately scrapped due to Smotherman’s collapse.
This incident underscores the risks of extreme weight cutting, a common practice in MMA and the UFC. Fighters often shed more than 10% of their body weight in the days leading up to weigh-ins, only to rehydrate and regain weight before stepping into the cage. While it can offer a competitive advantage, the process can be physically taxing and, in some cases, dangerous.
The UFC has not released an update on Smotherman’s condition, but his team and arena medical staff reportedly acted immediately to ensure his safety. Smotherman is 1-2 in his three UFC appearances, with this canceled fight representing a setback for his career trajectory.
Weight-cutting issues were not isolated to Smotherman at UFC 324. Former flyweight champion Deiveson Figueiredo missed weight by 2.5 pounds for his matchup against Umar Nurmagomedov, and flyweight Alex Perez also missed by the same margin for his fight against Charles Johnson. In both cases, the fighters were fined 25% of their purses, but their bouts are still scheduled to proceed as planned.
While missing weight is typically handled through fines and catchweight bouts, Smotherman’s collapse highlights the physical toll extreme weight cuts can take. Experts have long warned that rapid dehydration and calorie restriction can lead to fainting, organ stress, and long-term health consequences, and incidents like this bring renewed attention to the safety of fighters during weigh-ins.
The UFC has faced increasing scrutiny over weight-cutting practices, especially after several high-profile incidents where athletes suffered medical emergencies after making weight. In response, there have been calls from fighters, trainers, and medical professionals to adopt safer protocols, including earlier weigh-ins, hydration testing, and restrictions on how much weight a fighter can cut.
For now, the UFC 324 card will continue, with fans eagerly watching other bouts and hoping for updates on Smotherman’s condition. His collapse serves as a stark reminder of the fine line fighters walk between peak performance and physical danger when engaging in extreme weight management.
