After Moyamoya Surgery, Josiah Harrell Steps In to Debut vs. Jacobe Smith at UFC Houston

The undefeated welterweight enters off four regional wins after life‑saving brain surgery.

Overview

UFC officials confirmed Harrell will replace injured Seok Hyeon Ko to face Jacobe Smith on Feb. 21 at Toyota Center in Houston.
Harrell is 11-0 professionally and 4-0 since returning from surgery following a 2023 moyamoya diagnosis discovered during UFC 290 medicals.
Smith is also 11-0 and 2-0 in the UFC with a 73-second knockout of Preston Parsons and a submission of Niko Price after earning a contract on Contender Series.
The matchup joins a UFC Houston lineup headlined by Sean Strickland vs. Anthony Hernandez in the promotion’s Paramount+ era.
The card has seen other late changes, including Phil Rowe stepping in to fight Jean-Paul Lebosnoyani after Austin Vanderford withdrew.