Up-and-coming fighter Josiah Harrell's highly anticipated UFC 290 debut was abruptly cancelled due to a concerning medical discovery. Initially reported as a general "medical issue," Harrell's manager later revealed that a pre-fight brain MRI uncovered an abnormality, leading to a diagnosis of moyamoya disease. This rare condition involves the narrowing or blockage of the carotid artery within the skull, potentially posing severe health risks.

Harrell's manager expressed immense gratitude for the UFC and Nevada Athletic Commission's stringent medical protocols, emphasizing that the pre-fight MRI likely saved Harrell's life. Remarkably, Harrell had competed in three other states without undergoing similar medical screenings. He is now expected to undergo brain surgery to address the condition.

This incident echoes a similar situation in 2019 when fighter Vince Murdock was diagnosed with moyamoya disease after a pre-fight scan, ultimately undergoing surgery and successfully returning to the sport. Harrell's manager confirmed that he remains on the UFC roster, leaving hope for his potential return following treatment and recovery.