Newcomer Josiah Harrell out of UFC 290 with brain disease - ESPN

LAS VEGAS — A rare brain disease has forced UFC newcomer Josiah Harrell out of his debut fight.

A prefight MRI, required by the UFC and Nevada State Athletic Commission (NSAC), showed that Harrell has a previously undiagnosed affliction called moyamoya, which is caused by blocked arteries at the base of the brain, according to his manager, Maurice Blanco of First Round Management. Blanco said Harrell will need to undergo brain surgery and this discovery will end up being a «blessing in disguise» because of how dangerous it would have been for Harrell to continue fighting with the brain issue.

Harrell was scheduled to fight UFC top prospect Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 290 on Saturday. Harrell made weight successfully Friday morning and was all set to compete before the MRI result came back.

A similar situation happened to fighter Vince Murdock in 2019 when he signed with the UFC — a required MRI turned up moyamoya and ended up potentially saving his life. Murdock was able to make a full recovery and return to fighting, including stints on «Dana White's Contender Series» and «The Ultimate Fighter.»

Blanco said Harrell is «used to adversity» and «he'll be back» to fighting once he has surgery and recovers.

Most major athletic commissions require MRIs for fighters to be licensed to compete, but not every jurisdiction requires them. Blanco said Harrell had never before needed to get an MRI before competing, and he has competed in seven pro fights, in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Kentucky. He also played football and wrestled before that.

Della Maddalena was originally supposed to fight Sean Brady at UFC 290 in a key welterweight fight. But Brady withdrew just last week due to septic bursitis in his left elbow. Harrell, a UFC