The big event may be taking place on Saturday night, but one UFC fighter already went down for the count.
In a frightening sight during the weigh-ins for the big UFC 324 event in Las Vegas on Friday, prelim fighter Cameron Smotherman collapsed after walking off the scales.
The American bantamweight successfully made the 135-pound limit to compete, but fell to the ground as he was walking off the stage and appeared to hit his head before lying unconscious.
The UFC’s live feed cut to the four-person panel covering the event, who were left shocked.
“That’s the first time I’ve ever seen that,” one member of the panel said.
UFC staffers came to Smotherman’s aid as they called for doctors to give him medical treatment.
Smotherman was rolled onto his back by personnel while his eyes were open and he appeared to float in and out of consciousness.
He was not able to get back to his feet and needed his team to help carry him off the stage.
Smotherman was transported to hospital and there has yet to be an update on his condition.
As a result of the scary incident, Smotherman’s fight against Ricky Turcios on the prelim card has been cancelled – which will allow the fallen combatant to receive IV fluids to help his condition.
Under Nevada state athletic commission rules, fighters are not allowed to use IVs while cutting weight due to potential ramifications.
The 5-foot-9 Smotherman, whose nickname is the Baby-Faced Killa, weighed in at 135.5 pounds for the fight, which is within the margin of error for the weight class.
It is not yet known if Turcios will be paid his win money, in addition to his show money, as he made weight as scheduled.
What is the main event for UFC 324?
The UFC had loaded up the fight card for Saturday’s event, which be the first to air on Paramount+, the MMA promotion’s new exclusive streaming partner in the United States.
In the main event, Justin Gaethje will take on Paddy Pimblett in a lightweight bout.
A UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship matchup between reigning champion Kayla Harrison and former two-time champ Amanda Nunes was set to be the co-main event before Harrison was forced to withdraw with a neck injury.
Also on the card, Sean O’Malley will square off with Song Yadong while Waldo Cortes-Acosta will fight Derrick Lewis in a heavyweight battle.