Veteran UFC referee Mark Smith was forced to leave T-Mobile Arena on Saturday night after tearing his ACL while officiating a fight at UFC 324. The injury, typically associated with fighters inside the cage, marked a rare occurrence for a sports official and left fans concerned when video footage showed Smith being carried out by Nevada State Athletic Commission personnel.
UFC Referee Mark Smith Suffers Torn ACL During Fight at UFC 324
Smith officiated the middleweight bout between Ateba Gautier and Andrey Pulyaev, which went the full three rounds and ended in a unanimous decision for Gautier. Despite the injury, Smith remained on-site long enough to raise Gautier’s hand after the verdict. The incident occurred at the very end of the final round, with Smith seemingly stumbling while circling around the fighters.
A video clip shared on Twitter by WhiteBeltCentral appears to show the moment Smith suffered the injury. The footage has sparked concern among fans, with many wishing the referee a speedy recovery. As The Combat Sport Poll Guy noted, it is unclear how Smith got injured during the fight.
UFC President Dana White Addresses the Incident
UFC President Dana White addressed the incident during the post-fight press conference, confirming the severity of the injury and noting that Smith “blew his ACL” and had to be carried out of the arena. White compared the situation to announcer Bruce Buffer, who previously tore his ACL at UFC 129 in 2011 while introducing Georges St-Pierre during the main event.
According to White, Smith’s injury will likely sideline him for a significant portion of 2026. ACL reconstruction typically requires six to nine months of recovery before returning to full activity, with some cases extending up to 12 months. Smith, a former U.S. Air Force fighter pilot and member of the Thunderbirds demonstration team, is one of the most active referees in Nevada, having officiated approximately 300 UFC fights over the past three years.
Smith’s background as a pilot and Armed Services veteran makes him well-suited for the split-second decision-making required in mixed martial arts officiating. His experience and expertise have earned him a reputation as a reliable and fair referee in the UFC. As he recovers from his injury, fans and fellow officials alike will be wishing him a speedy and successful return to the octagon.
For more information on Mark Smith’s injury and recovery, follow LowKick MMA for updates and analysis. The website provides comprehensive coverage of UFC events, including news, results, and expert commentary.
