Veteran UFC referee Mark Smith was pressured to go away T-Cellular Area on Saturday night time after tearing his ACL whereas officiating a struggle at UFC 324. The damage, usually 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 complete three rounds and resulted in a unanimous resolution 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 in the course of the post-fight press convention. “No person’s requested me in regards to the ref tearing his ACL in the course of the struggle,” White stated. He confirmed the severity of the damage and famous that Smith “blew his ACL” and needed to be carried out of the sector. 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 Power fighter pilot and member of the Thunderbirds demonstration staff, is likely 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 usually 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.
