Veteran UFC referee Mark Smith was compelled to go away T-Cell Area on Saturday night time after tearing his ACL whereas officiating a struggle at UFC 324. The damage, sometimes related to fighters contained in the cage, marked a uncommon prevalence for a sports activities official and left followers involved when video footage confirmed Smith being carried out by Nevada State Athletic Fee personnel.
UFC Referee Mark Smith Suffers Torn ACL Throughout Combat at UFC 324
Smith officiated the middleweight bout between Ateba Gautier and Andrey Pulyaev, which went the total three rounds and led to a unanimous determination for Gautier. Regardless of the damage, Smith remained on-site lengthy sufficient to boost Gautier’s hand after the decision.
UFC President Dana White addressed the incident through the post-fight press convention. “No person’s requested me concerning the ref tearing his ACL through the struggle,” White mentioned. He confirmed the severity of the damage and famous that Smith “blew his ACL” and needed to be carried out of the world. White in contrast the scenario to announcer Bruce Buffer, who beforehand tore his ACL at UFC 129 in 2011 whereas introducing Georges St-Pierre throughout the primary occasion.
Smith, a former U.S. Air Drive fighter pilot and member of the Thunderbirds demonstration crew, is without doubt one of the most energetic referees in Nevada. He has officiated roughly 300 UFC fights over the previous three years. His background as a pilot and Armed Providers veteran makes him well-suited for the split-second decision-making required in combined martial arts officiating.
The damage will seemingly sideline Smith for a good portion of 2026. ACL reconstruction sometimes requires six to 9 months of restoration earlier than returning to full exercise, with some instances extending as much as 12 months. Smith posted an encouraging message on Instagram after being helped backstage however has not publicly detailed the damage.
