Dana White calls UFC Houston KO ‘one of the worst’ ever as fighter issues medical update

UFC welterweight Josiah Harrell has confirmed he is ‘indeed good’ after being brutally knocked out in Houston this past weekend.

Harrell’s stoppage defeat to Jacobe Smith was so bad that UFC CEO Dana White said it was ‘one of the worst’ knockouts he’s seen in a long time.

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White’s promotion ended its February run with a Fight Night card in Houston on Saturday, headlined by Sean Strickland’s impressive finish of Anthony Hernandez at middleweight.

In the co-main event, Uros Medic viciously knocked out Geoff Neal after Melquizael Costa handed Dan Ige the first stoppage defeat of his career.

However, it was Smith’s KO of Harrell that got several members of the MMA world talking due to the latter’s medical history and sheer brutality of the finish.

Harrell was making his UFC debut in Houston on short notice, three years after his inaugural appearance was cut short.

In a pre-fight medical test in 2023, the UFC diagnosed the American with Moyamoya disease, prompting Harrell to later undergo a complex brain surgery.

Jacobe Smith’s scary KO of Josiah Harrell

But the 27-year-old bounced back from the major health scare and was undefeated until he met Smith at UFC Houston.

Midway through round one, Harrell was caught by a well-timed right hand from Smith.

Harrell shot for the takedown, but his opponent brilliantly reversed before unloading vicious ground and pound.

Smith let loose with elbows and punches, leaving Harrell unconscious on the canvas as referee Kerry Hatley was criticised for a late stoppage.

Fans were upset as Harrell was clearly out cold while still receiving several punches to the face.

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Harrell struggled to make it to his feet afterwards, attempting to keep on fighting the medical personnel who were helping him.

However, speaking on social media, he has thankfully revealed he is recovering well.

“To everyone who reached out, thank you,” Harrell wrote via Instagram on Sunday.

“This was a bump. We got a couple of fractures in our face, but God is good.

“Don’t let fear stop you from being anything. We will be back.”

He later reflected: “I am indeed good.

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“Got stuck in a shifting position from what I saw. Will have to go back and watch the fight.”

Dana White: Harrell took a long time to recover

White was asked about the KO during UFC Houston’s post-fight press conference.

“One of the worst ones I’ve seen in a long time,” he said.

“I can’t remember the last time I saw one where I was like, ‘Oh s***, this is not good.’

“He took a long time to recover, but so far so good. He seemed like he’s okay and we’re going to watch him all night.”

Smith was awarded a $100,000 bonus for his finish of Harrell.

UFC Schedule

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Costa, Medic and Strickland all received the same Performance of the Night bonus.

The UFC heads to Arena CDMX in Mexico City next as Brandon Moreno faces Lone’er Kavanagh in a top-ranked flyweight bout.