UFC Referee Mark Smith Sustains ACL Injury During Las Vegas Event
Veteran UFC referee Mark Smith was carried out of the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on Saturday night after suffering an ACL injury, as confirmed by UFC president Dana White. The incident occurred following Smith's officiation of the bout between Ateba Gautier and Andrey Pulyaev, which went the full fifteen minutes and resulted in a decision victory for Gautier.
Medical Assistance Required for Experienced Official
Fan footage from the event showed the 52-year-old official limping away from the octagon with assistance from medical personnel. One member of the medical team was seen carrying what appeared to be a shoe, initially leading to speculation about a foot injury. However, White has clarified that the issue was specifically an ACL injury, with Smith receiving immediate medical treatment after leaving the arena.
Smith, who has not publicly commented on the specifics of his injury, did share a positive message on his Instagram story following the incident. The post read: 'Always end the day with a positive thought. No matter how hard the day may have been, there is always a reason to be grateful.'
One of MMA's Most Experienced Officials
The Las Vegas event marked Smith's 884th bout as an MMA official, establishing him as one of the sport's longest-serving and most experienced referees. While both fighters in the Gautier versus Pulyaev match remained relatively unscathed, the same could not be said for the veteran official who has overseen countless high-profile contests throughout his distinguished career.
Hospital Visits for Multiple Fight Night Participants
Smith was not the only individual requiring medical attention following Saturday's event. British fighter Paddy Pimblett was rushed to hospital after his blood-soaked battle against Justin Gaethje ended in defeat. The 31-year-old Liverpudlian, who had hoped to become the fourth British champion in the UFC, lost on points after being knocked down three times during the epic five-round contest.
Gaethje, 37, rolled back the years in Las Vegas to claim the interim lightweight crown, handing 'The Baddy' his first UFC loss. Despite Pimblett's pre-fight declaration that 'Scousers don't get knocked out,' and his determined battle throughout the rounds, the American fighter ultimately prevailed with judges' scores of 48-47, 49-46 and 49-46 in his favour.
The dual medical incidents highlight the physical demands and risks associated with professional mixed martial arts, affecting not only competitors but also the officials who oversee these intense contests. Both Smith and Pimblett are now recovering from their respective injuries sustained during the eventful fight night in Nevada.
