Cameron Smotherman: Weight | Height | Weigh-in | Collapse | Update

On January 23, 2026, UFC bantamweight Cameron Smotherman experienced a frightening health incident when he suddenly collapsed moments after making weight for his scheduled bout at UFC 324 in Las Vegas. The incident has sparked intense discussion across the MMA world about weight cutting, fighter safety protocols, and athlete health monitoring. Below is the most thorough and updated breakdown — from his physical stats to the collapse itself and the aftermath.

Who Is Cameron Smotherman? (Background & Career)

Cameron Smotherman is an American professional mixed martial artist competing in the UFC’s bantamweight division (135 lbs). Known as “The Baby-Faced Killa,” he fights out of Metro Fight Club and has established himself as a gritty competitor with a background in high-level combat sports.

Career Highlights:

• Professional MMA Record: 12-6 (as of January 2026)

• UFC Debut: 2024 with a win over Jake Hadley

• Most Recent UFC Record: Struggled with a 1-2 mark in his latest three appearances

Smotherman’s career has been defined by resilience and hustle, traits that made the sudden collapse at the Vegas weigh-ins both surprising and concerning for fans and experts alike.

Cameron Smotherman: Height & Weight Stats

Athlete bio data gives a clear picture of Smotherman’s physical profile:

• Height: ≈ 1.75 m (5’9″)

• Weight Class: Bantamweight (max 135 lbs)

• Fight Week Weight: Successfully weighed in at 135.5 lbs for UFC 324

• Walk-Around Weight: Typically higher than his competition weight — fighters often cut significant pounds before official weigh-ins.

These measurements are in line with his role in the bantamweight division where athletes often undergo aggressive weight cuts to compete.

The UFC 324 Weigh-In Collapse: What Happened?

The Incident

On January 23, 2026, during the official UFC 324 weigh-ins in Las Vegas:

• Smotherman stepped onto the scale and made weight at 135.5 lbs without issue.

• Moments after stepping off the scale, he stumbled and collapsed face-first onstage in a frightening scene for onlookers.

• Medical personnel and UFC staff rushed to his aid.

• His scheduled bout against Ricky Turcios was cancelled as a result.

This collapse occurred despite him successfully making the required weight, leading many in the MMA community to immediately speculate about weight cutting stress and dehydration — a controversial and dangerous element of combat sports.

Reaction & Immediate Response

Footage of the collapse went viral immediately after it happened, showing Smotherman falling hard and being attended to by UFC officials. Most reports described the scene as “scary” and “chaotic,” with safety concerns rising among fans and fighters alike.

Did Weight Cutting Cause the Collapse?

Weight cutting, the process by which fighters dehydrate and drastically reduce body mass to make a lower weight class limit, is widespread in MMA. Fighters often lose 10% or more of their body weight just days before weigh-ins.

However, in the case of Cameron Smotherman, he himself disputed that narrative:

“I genuinely didn’t cut very much weight for this fight… I came in pretty low, …[I’m] not entirely sure what happened.” — Smotherman

In his post-collapse statement, he emphasized that while he was “completely OK,” he didn’t feel the collapse was directly caused by an extreme weight cut — though he plans further medical tests to determine the cause.

Medical Update & Current Condition

After the incident:

• Smotherman was rushed to a local hospital for evaluation due to the collapse onstage.

• He underwent CT scans and X-rays that reportedly came back clear.

• The fighter received a few sutures for a chin cut sustained during the fall.

• He was discharged and is reportedly stable and recovering.

Smotherman’s own statement was calm and grateful — he thanked fans for concern, reiterated his uncertainly about the cause, and said he hopes to return to competition soon.

Why This Matters: MMA Safety & Weight Cutting Debate

The MMA community has a long-standing debate about weight cutting safety:

• Extreme dehydration poses risks including fainting, brain trauma, organ strain, and impaired cognitive function.

• Analysts argue that Smotherman’s collapse, while not conclusively tied to weight cutting, highlights how fragile fighters’ health can be during fight week.

• Many fans and fighters online believe the broader system of weight class pressures needs reform — from more weight classes to limits on drastic dehydration techniques. (Social reactions show these concerns cropping up immediately.)

This incident may reignite discussions within the UFC and MMA regulatory bodies about adjusting protocols for fighter health, especially around weigh-ins and dehydration.

Smotherman’s Career Outlook After Collapse

While the scheduled UFC 324 fight was canceled, Smotherman’s future in the Octagon is still intact. Based on his current medical clearance:

• He has a history of competitive MMA success and is expected to continue his career after thorough medical evaluation.

• No official word from UFC President Dana White has indicated long-term suspension or concern beyond this single event.

His next fight and competitive timeline will likely depend on his recovery and medical assessments in the coming weeks.

Key Takeaways

• Cameron Smotherman is a 28-year-old bantamweight UFC fighter with a 12-6 pro record.
• His height is approximately 1.75 m (5’9″) and he weighed in at 135.5 lbs before collapsing.
• He collapsed immediately after weighing in at UFC 324, leading to fight cancellation.
• Smotherman disputes extreme weight cutting as the cause, despite speculation.
• Medical scans were clear, and he’s recovering with follow-up tests planned.
• The incident renewed debate about fighter health and weight cutting protocols.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1. Why did Cameron Smotherman collapse at UFC weigh-ins?
A: Smotherman collapsed suddenly after making weight — he wasn’t visibly ill before, and he himself says he didn’t perform an extreme weight cut. The exact cause remains unclear, with further medical tests planned.

Q2. What weight did Cameron Smotherman make?
A: He made 135.5 pounds for his bantamweight bout at UFC 324.

Q3. Is Smotherman okay now?
A: Yes — he passed CT and X-ray scans with no significant injuries and was discharged after treatment.

Q4. Was the fight canceled because of the collapse?
A: Yes — his bout against Ricky Turcios was officially canceled on medical grounds after the incident.

Q5. Will this change UFC weight cutting rules?
A: While this incident magnifies safety concerns, no official policy changes have been announced yet. Ongoing discussions in MMA circles may influence future reforms.