Cameron Smotherman: Fight Cancelled | Age | What Happened To Him | Wiki

On January 23, 2026, the mixed martial arts world was rocked when UFC bantamweight fighter Cameron Smotherman collapsed just moments after making weight for UFC 324 in Las Vegas, leading to the cancellation of his scheduled fight. The incident reignited debate around weight-cutting practices in combat sports and raised serious questions about fighter safety protocols. In this in-depth guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know — from his age and career to what exactly happened at the weigh-ins and what’s next for the American contender.

Who Is Cameron Smotherman?

Cameron Smotherman is an American professional mixed martial artist and bantamweight competitor known for his tenacity inside the cage. Born and raised in the United States, the 28-year-old has built a reputation as a tough competitor, with a professional record of 12 wins and 6 losses prior to the UFC 324 incident.

Smotherman began his fight career in regional circuits and earned his way into the UFC through hard-fought performances. Standing 69 inches tall with a reach that complements his aggressive style, he’s shown a mix of striking and grappling tools throughout his career.

He made his Octagon debut on October 19, 2024, where he earned a unanimous decision victory — a high point in his early UFC tenure. However, recent performances saw him drop consecutive bouts leading into UFC 324.

UFC 324 Fight Cancelled — What Happened?

Smotherman was scheduled to face fellow American Ricky Turcios in a bantamweight bout on the preliminary card of UFC 324 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas.

The Weigh-In Incident

On January 23, 2026, Smotherman stepped onto the scale and successfully made weight at 135.5 pounds, meeting the bantamweight limit. However, as soon as he walked away from the scale, he appeared unsteady and collapsed face-first onto the stage, drawing immediate concern from officials and fans alike.

Video from the scene showed him stagger and fall after only a few steps, indicating a sudden loss of balance and consciousness. Medics rushed to his aid, and UFC personnel assisted him off the platform.

Cancellation of the Fight

Due to the severity of the moment, Smotherman’s fight with Turcios was officially called off. The UFC confirmed the cancellation, citing a medical issue related to his collapse at weigh-ins.

This marked a highly unusual and concerning moment in MMA — where a bout was scrapped not over missed weight or injury, but due to a fighter collapsing in public before the event even began.

Why Did Cameron Smotherman Collapse?

The exact cause of Smotherman’s collapse remains unclear, and the fighter himself expressed uncertainty about what exactly happened. After being treated and released from the hospital, Smotherman posted a statement saying:

“I’m not entirely sure what happened… I genuinely didn’t cut very much weight for this fight.”

Weight Cutting and Health Risks

Weight cutting (rapid dehydration to meet a division limit) is a common but risky practice in MMA. Fighters often shed significant weight in the days leading up to a fight to gain a size advantage when rehydrating before the bout.

Although Smotherman claimed he didn’t cut a lot of weight, the community widely speculates that dehydration and physical stress may have contributed to his collapse — even if he wasn’t attempting an extreme cut compared to typical standards.

Medical evaluations, including CT scans, were performed to rule out serious injury, and Smotherman was discharged after being treated. He indicated more tests would follow to determine the underlying cause.

Cameron Smotherman’s Career Before The Incident

Before the dramatic moment at UFC 324, Smotherman had a mixed UFC tenure:

• UFC record: 1–2 in three appearances.

• Octagon debut win: Victory against Jake Hadley via unanimous decision in 2024.

• Recent losses: Decisions against Serhiy Sidey and Ricky Simón in 2025.

His fighting style leans on aggressive striking and well-rounded grappling, and he’s regarded as a competitor willing to take on challenges in one of MMA’s toughest weight classes.

Reactions from the MMA World

The incident sparked strong reactions online and from MMA fans:

• Some viewers expressed concern about the dangers of extreme weight cutting and questioned whether such practices are sustainable long-term.

• Others debated whether athletic commissions should introduce more stringent hydration tests or same-day weigh-ins to reduce such health risks.

• Commentary also highlighted how rare it is for fights to be cancelled due to a collapse post weigh-ins, underscoring the seriousness of the moment.

These fan reactions represent broader ongoing discussions within combat sports about fighter safety and regulatory reform.

Smotherman’s Health Update

Shortly after the incident, Smotherman provided his own update, reassuring fans that he was “completely OK” and did not immediately attribute the collapse to extreme dehydration. He also mentioned he would undergo additional medical testing to understand what happened.

The UFC has not released further official details on his status, but early scans reportedly showed no serious head or neck injuries.

What This Means for UFC 324

The cancellation of Cameron Smotherman’s fight affected the final fight card for UFC 324, one of the UFC’s marquee events in early 2026. Despite the cancellation:

• The main card featuring marquee stars remained intact.

• Two other fighters missed weight at the same weigh-ins but their fights continued as catchweight bouts with fines.

Smotherman’s bout was one of the few to be fully removed from the lineup, reflecting how medical issues take priority when fighter welfare is at stake.

The Weight-Cutting Debate

The incident reignited heated conversation around weight-cutting practices:

Risks of Rapid Weight Cutting

Weight cutting can involve:

• Severe dehydration

• Electrolyte imbalance

• Heat exhaustion

• Increased risk of fainting

Advocates for reform argue that fighters shouldn’t have to put themselves at risk to succeed in their sport.

Proposed Solutions

Some suggested safety improvements include:

• Hydration testing prior to weigh-ins

• Same-day weigh-ins to reduce dehydration incentives

• More weight classes to lessen dramatic cuts

While regulatory change is slow, high-profile cases like this help highlight the need for safer practices in combat sports.

What’s Next for Cameron Smotherman?

Smotherman has indicated his intention to continue fighting after medical evaluations. The next steps likely include:

• Completing further medical tests

• Monitoring health and recovery

• Potential rescheduling of future bouts once cleared

Per his own statement, he hopes to return to the octagon soon.

Quick Facts: Cameron Smotherman

FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions)

Q: Why was Cameron Smotherman’s UFC fight cancelled?
A: His fight was cancelled after he collapsed moments after making weight at the UFC 324 official weigh-ins, prompting medical intervention and removal from the card.

Q: How old is Cameron Smotherman?
A: Cameron Smotherman is 28 years old.

Q: What caused Cameron Smotherman to collapse?
A: The exact cause is unclear. Smotherman stated he didn’t cut an unusually large amount of weight, but dehydration and physical strain are suspected factors.

Q: Was Smotherman seriously injured?
A: Early medical reports did not indicate serious injury; he was discharged from hospital after scans and treatment.

Q: Will Cameron Smotherman fight again?
A: He expressed a desire to return once cleared medically, but no official date or opponent has been announced.