Josiah Harrell Withdraws From UFC 290 Fight With Rare Brain Disease

Josiah Harrell will not make his UFC debut fight against Jack Della Maddalena in Las Vegas because of a rare brain disease.

Harrell was expected to clash with UFC’s top prospect at UFC 290 after making weight on Friday morning. However, the plans changed when his prefight MRI revealed that he carried a prior illness called moyamoya.

The Mayo Clinic described the disease as a “rare blood vessel disorder in which the carotid artery in the skull becomes blocked or narrowed.” Maurice Blanco, Harrell’s manager, said his client will undergo surgery and that the MRI was a “blessing in disguise”, according to ESPN.

The UFC newcomer had never been required to undergo an MRI prior to any of his fights, that include seven professionally in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Kentucky. However, prefight MRIs are mandated by the UFC and Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Harrell’s current situation is similar to the 2019 incident involving Vince Murdock, who was preparing for a UFC fight when his MRI revealed moyamoya. Murdock recovered from the disease before returning to the sport.

Like Murdock, Harell plans to do the same. Initially, Della Maddalena (14-2) was slated to fight Sean Brady at UFC 290. However, last week, Harrell replaced Brady after he removed himself from the fight because of septic bursitis in his left elbow.

Della Maddalena has won 14 consecutive fights. The 26-year-old’s latest victory came in February when he defeated Randy Brown in a first-round finish at UFC 284.