The UFC made a move to part ways with three veterans on the roster on Friday, June 19. Thiago Moises was the biggest name on the list, which also included Ariane Carnelossi. The promotion also snipped bantamweight veteran Cameron Smotherman, who is unfortunately best known for his viral collapse at a weigh-in in January. Let’s talk MMA.
Key Facts at a Glance
- Fighter: Cameron “The Baby-Faced Killa” Smotherman, bantamweight
- Age: 28
- Record: 12-7 overall, 1-3 in the UFC
- Why cut: Three straight losses, capped by a May KO to Kai Asakura
- Best known for: Collapsing at the UFC 324 weigh-ins in January
Why Did The UFC Release Cameron Smotherman?
Smotherman is known for the collapse, but that’s not why he was cut. Before the collapse, which happened ahead of his scheduled fight with Ricky Turcios, Smotherman had lost back-to-back bouts. The Turcios fight was canceled.
Smotherman returned to the Octagon in May, where he was knocked out in the first round by Kai Asakura. The three-fight skid is what got him cut.
His 1-3 UFC run opened with a decision win before the slide, and in a bantamweight division this deep, three losses in a row is usually the threshold. The UFC regularly moves on from fighters whose results dip, even ones with name recognition. His release surfaced through roster-watch channels rather than a formal announcement.
What Happened At Cameron Smotherman’s Weigh-In?
Smotherman passed out seconds after walking off the scale, and it was a scary scene. He later said it wasn’t a hard cut, that he came in relatively light, and that the cause was never confirmed. Even so, weight cuts remain the most dangerous aspect of combat sports.
The moment came at the UFC 324 weigh-ins in January, on the night the promotion launched its Paramount broadcast deal. He made 135.5 pounds, then collapsed face-first as officials and medical staff rushed in, and his bout was scrapped. The clip spread across social media within minutes.
What Did The Collapse Say About Weight Cutting?
The collapse should encourage fighters to compete closer to their natural weight, but this issue is not new. Fighters and most athletes are always looking to gain an edge, and rehydration to a bigger size is seen as an edge.
The clip became fresh ammunition for critics of MMA’s weight-cut culture, reviving calls for tighter fight-week monitoring, rehydration limits, or additional weight classes. Fans split over who carries the blame, from the fighter and his team to the commission and the promotion. It is a debate the sport keeps having every time a scale moment goes wrong.
What’s Next For Cameron Smotherman?
Smotherman’s career probably isn’t over. I could see him popping up as an opponent for a bigger name early in their career with PFL or MVP MMA. A road back to the UFC will be tough, but he’s only 28, so we will see.
At 28, a regional rebuild is a realistic path, and promotions like the PFL often add experienced names to test prospects. A spot on a future MVP MMA card would fit a fighter with his recognition. Whether he climbs back to the UFC may hinge as much on stacking wins as on moving past the weigh-in clip.
