The Undefeated: Josiah Harrell Steps In for UFC Houston Showdown with Jacobe Smith
The Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) announced a thrilling last-minute change to the upcoming UFC Houston event, pitting two undefeated fighters against each other in a highly anticipated welterweight bout. On February 13, 2026, at 10:00 PM UTC, Josiah Harrell (11-0) will step into the octagon to face Jacobe Smith, replacing the injured Seok Hyeon Ko.
Harrell, known as the "Muscle Hamster," has been eagerly awaiting his debut with the promotion. Originally signed almost three years ago, he was set to face Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 290 in July 2023. However, a pre-fight medical revealed a rare brain disease, forcing him to withdraw just a day before the event. Since his return to action in 2025, Harrell has dominated, winning three fights by knockout or submission, including a first-round submission of UFC veteran Melvin Guillard and a knockout of Bekmyrza Dosmatov at an LFA event in January.
Jacobe Smith, also undefeated at 11-0, has made a strong impression in his two UFC appearances since signing off the Contender Series in 2024. His octagon debut was a lightning-fast knockout of Preston Parsons in just 73 seconds, followed by a second-round submission of veteran Nico Price at UFC 317. Smith's impressive record and quick rise through the ranks make him a formidable opponent for Harrell.
The UFC Houston event, taking place at the Toyota Center on February 21, will feature a main event between former middleweight champion Sean Strickland and red-hot contender Anthony Hernandez. With the addition of this exciting welterweight bout, the card is shaping up to be a thrilling night of mixed martial arts action.
