Josiah Harrell has confirmed he suffered facial fractures after a heavy first-round knockout loss at UFC Houston.
The undefeated welterweight put his 11-0 record on the line against Jacobe Smith on Saturday. Smith finished the fight with a sequence that sparked criticism of a very late stoppage. Officials later transported Harrell and two other fighters to hospital for checks.
UFC president Dana White called the knockout one of the worst he has seen in years. He said Harrell took a long time to recover but showed positive signs afterward. Doctors continued to monitor him through the night.
Harrell addressed fans the next day on social media. He thanked those who supported him and described the defeat as a setback. He revealed that he had sustained several fractures to his face and promised to return.
The loss caused extra concern because of his medical past. In 2023, doctors pulled him from his planned UFC debut after scans revealed a rare brain condition. He then underwent a nine-hour operation to prevent clots and strokes.
He returned to competition in 2025 and won three consecutive fights to earn a UFC contract. The debut did not go as planned, but he is expected to receive another opportunity to compete again.
