Disturbing Scenes As UFC 324 Star Collapses After Weigh In For Paddy Pimblett Undercard Fight

The excitement for UFC 324 in Las Vegas turned into genuine fear on Friday when a standard weigh-in ended with a medical emergency. What should have been a routine photo op at the T-Mobile Arena descended into chaos as fighters took the stage. The buzz of anticipation in the room vanished in a split second.

Cameron Smotherman, a rising bantamweight talent, had just finished weighing in. But as the 'Baby-faced killer' turned to leave the stage, his legs gave way. The 28-year-old dropped to the floor without warning, leaving the audience silent and officials scrambling.

Medical Team Scrambles To Help Downed Fighter

Staff on the ground moved instantly to reach the fighter. Watching a professional athlete in such condition hit the floor was a jarring sight for everyone in the venue. Smotherman was immediately surrounded by a team of experts working to get him stable.

Reports from the US suggest the situation improved fairly quickly. Smotherman was responsive and started rehydrating while sitting up, which calmed some of the initial panic. However, he wasn't in any shape to walk away on his own; his team had to physically carry him off the stage so he could get proper treatment behind the scenes.

Weight Cut Fears Following Fight Cancellation

Officials didn't hesitate to scrap the bout. With such a terrifying scene playing out on stage, the fight was officially cancelled to make sure Smotherman is safe. He had been booked to fight fellow American Ricky Turcios in the early prelims, but that contest is now off the table.

The collapse has everyone talking about the dangers of the weight cut again. It is a brutal part of the sport where fighters drain their bodies to hit a specific number on the scale, often leading to severe dehydration. The worry right now is that Smotherman's body simply shut down from the strain of trying to make the limit.

Huge Chance Slipped Away On Fight Night

Missing this fight is a gutting blow for Smotherman's career momentum. He holds a professional record of 12 wins and six losses, and Sunday was supposed to be one of his biggest stages yet. A win here would have been massive, but now he is on the sidelines while the show goes on without him.

The event is still set to be a blockbuster, with Liverpool's own Paddy Pimblett headlining. 'The Baddy' is fighting for the lightweight interim title against the tough UFC veteran Justin Gaethje. Fans will also see the eccentric 'Suga' Sean O'Malley, the No3-ranked bantamweight, take on China's Song Yadong. O'Malley is trying to build a case for a title shot, promising plenty of drama despite the earlier disturbing scenes.

Originally published on IBTimes UK