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Fighter Josiah Harrell will not be participating in UFC 290 due to the discovery of a rare brain condition through an MRI scan. Shortly after the official weigh-ins on Friday, he decided to withdraw from his debut fight as it was revealed that he suffers from a unique ailment that leads to the obstruction of arteries at the base of his brain. According to his manager, the diagnosis is considered a fortunate turn of events, as it brought attention to the condition, and it has been determined that the 24-year-old athlete will require surgical intervention.
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Harrell has been diagnosed with an undisclosed condition called moyamoya. This condition is characterized as a rare disorder affecting the blood vessels, specifically the carotid artery in the skull, leading to blockage or narrowing. The 25-year-old was preparing to face Jack Della Maddalena on Saturday before the MRI result came.
Prior to this, Harrell had never undergone an MRI scan, despite having participated in seven professional fights across Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Kentucky and having background in football and wrestling. Originally, Della Maddalena was scheduled to face Sean Brady in a significant welterweight bout at UFC 290. However, Brady withdrew last week due to septic bursitis affecting his left elbow. As a result, Harrell, a newcomer to the UFC, was selected as his replacement.
Harrell’s manager has called the scan a “blessing in disguise” and it may have “saved his life.” He further stated that the fighter was “used to adversity” and that he will continue fighting after brain surgery. This is the second time Della Maddalena’s fight has been cancelled, but there may be an unexpected upside as UFC could re-book the match at a later date and allow Della Maddalena more time to prepare as he looks to defend his unbeaten run in the octagon.
