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Josiah Harrell Diagnosed with Brain Disease Ahead of UFC 290 Fight, Will Have Surgery

Josiah Harrell was set to make his UFC debut on Saturday, but that took a back seat to his health on Friday.

Nolan King of USA Today's MMA Junkie reported Harrell's manager, Maurice Blanco, said the fighter's pre-fight brain MRI revealed moyamoya syndrome. Moyamoya syndrome is a rare disease that increases one's risk for a stroke because of blocked arteries at the base of the brain.

Maurice Blanco

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Harrell, who will no longer fight Jack Della Maddalena, will undergo brain surgery.