The UFC 324 weigh-ins have just begun, and they opened with a frightening moment. In the prelims, Cameron Smotherman is scheduled to face Ricky Turcios in a highly anticipated bantamweight bout, but that matchup is now in serious doubt after a scary scene on the scale.

During the live broadcast, Smotherman successfully hit the mark at 135.5 pounds, officially making the fight. However, as he walked off the scale, he suddenly fainted and collapsed face-first onto the floor. Officials rushed in immediately, helping him back up and giving him water, likely to start rehydrating after a brutal weight cut.

The incident left everyone on stage visibly shaken. Daniel Cormier, Chris Weidman, and other weigh-in panel members described the moment as terrifying as they watched the situation unfold.

Looking at the situation, former middleweight champ, Chris Weidman, noted that the Athletic Commission is likely to have serious concerns about how ‘The Baby-Faced Killer’s weigh-in ultimately played out.

“Cam Smotherman is being transported to the hospital,” Alex Behunin posted on X.

After a few minutes, Smotherman began to regain consciousness and was later transported to a hospital for further evaluation. While the bantamweight is now recovering, a major question mark still hangs over his fight against Ricky Turcios. 

According to the latest update, the bout between Cameron Smotherman and Ricky Turcios has been canceled, dropping the total fight count for the first-ever Paramount+ CBS card to 12. Smotherman’s sudden collapse during the weigh-ins came as a major shock. But interestingly, this is not the first time a similar incident has occurred in the UFC.

Back in 2021, UFC bantamweight Julija Stoliarenko fainted twice during her weigh-ins ahead of her fight against Julia Avila at UFC Vegas 22. The Lithuanian fighter first lost consciousness before even making weight. After the Nevada State Athletic Commission monitored her condition, she was allowed to return to the scale and officially make the 135-pound limit. Moments later, Stoliarenko collapsed again and was eventually transported to the hospital on a stretcher. 

Meanwhile, aside from this weigh-in injury, two others also missed weight and will proceed with their bouts with financial penalties. While Deiveson Figueiredo came in at 138.5 pounds, missing the non-title limit of 136 by 2.5 pounds, Alex Perez tipped the scale at 128.5 pounds and missed the non-title flyweight limit by the same 2.5 pounds ahead of his bout with Charles Johnson.

Now, with more details still to come out, the reason behind Cameron Smotherman’s collapse is being heavily speculated. However, Daniel Cormier has already pointed to an interesting explanation for what may have caused it during the weigh-ins, which also saw multiple fighters miss weight.

Daniel Cormier reacts to Cameron Smotherman’s UFC 324 weigh-in collapse  

A fighter collapsing face-first during weigh-ins is a rare and terrifying sight. But there is usually a reason behind such moments. Bringing in expert insight, Daniel Cormier, who was part of the UFC’s morning weigh-in show alongside Chris Weidman, Laura Sanko, and others, raised an important point about what may have caused Cameron Smotherman’s sudden collapse. According to DC, severe dehydration likely played a major role.

“When you cut weight, even my kids when they cut weight for wrestling, when you take all the heat off, you cannot stand fast. You cannot get up from that exhausted phase and move too fast. So him walking to the scale, getting off it, and trying to walk to the back could be the brain going all foggy,” Cormier said during the weigh-in show.

That explanation highlights just how brutal weight cutting can be, with fighters often fighting a battle against their own bodies before they ever step into the cage. Cormier, who went through plenty of punishing weight cuts during his career, clearly understands how dangerous that process can become.

Top Stories

Dana White Makes Final Decision on Conor McGregor Fight After Michael Chandler’s Desperate Plea

Former UFC Heavyweight Jailed in Florida After Confrontation With Neighbor: Report

“Someone’s Lying”: Dana White’s Bizarre Response to Justin Gaethje Pay Claims Raises New Questions

Disrespectful Sean Strickland Confronted by Former Best Friend After Inviting Controversial Figure to Gym

Who Is Arman Tsarukyan’s Father? Nairi Tsarukyan’s Net Worth, Profession & Businesses

While the exact cause of Smotherman’s scary fall is still being evaluated, dehydration combined with the sudden release of body heat appears to be the most likely explanation for why he lost consciousness on the scale.

That said, what do you think caused Cameron Smotherman’s collapse at the UFC 324 weigh-ins? Let us know in the comments section below.