Josiah Harrell to undergo costly brain surgery for Moyamoya

UFC fighter Josiah Harrell wants almost six figures for a probably life-saving surgical procedure.

Harrell, 24, has but to compete within the promotion. His quick discover debut at UFC 290 in July was scrapped days earlier than the combat when his pre-fight medical assessments revealed Moyamoya, a uncommon mind illness that impacts blood circulate.

With the illness uncommon, and such few amenities providing the process, Harrell has spent the previous 4 months planning for surgical procedure. His surgical procedure is presently scheduled for Tuesday on the Moyamoya Heart at Stanford Well being Care (Palo Alto, Calif.), his supervisor Maurice Blanco, of First Spherical Administration, informed MMA Junkie on Monday.

Blanco added that Harrell is in comparatively good spirits with a morning run scheduled for simply hours earlier than his process. The anticipated restoration time earlier than resumption of coaching is three to 4 months, Blanco mentioned, although an actual timeline will likely be extra mappable post-surgery.

Harrell just lately arrange a GoFundMe account to assist take up the hefty prices. The fundraiser has a $80,000 purpose and states the UFC’s insurance coverage doesn’t cowl the process.

As uncommon as Moyamoya illness is, there’s a near-identical occasion of one other fighter who was faraway from his UFC debut upon its discovery. In 2019, Vince Murdock was flagged for Moyamoya. He underwent mind surgical procedure and returned to competitors in 2020.