TLDR
- Jacobe Smith (11-0) is the clear betting favorite at -290 to -325
- Josiah Harrell (11-0) steps in on just five days’ notice for his UFC debut
- Harrell previously had his debut cancelled due to Moyamoya brain disease requiring surgery
- Smith has two UFC wins in 2025, including a KO and a submission
- Harrell has finished 10 of his 11 fights and is seen as a live underdog with betting value
Full Main Card Odds
Fight Time – UFC Fight Night: Strickland vs. Hernandez
| Time Zone | Time |
|---|---|
| Eastern (ET) | 8:00 PM Saturday |
| Central (CT) | 7:00 PM Saturday |
| Mountain (MT) | 6:00 PM Saturday |
| Pacific (PT) | 5:00 PM Saturday |
| GMT (UK) | 1:00 AM Sunday |
| AEST (Australia) | 12:00 PM Sunday |
Venue: Toyota Center, Houston, Texas Stream: Paramount+
Two undefeated fighters go at it 👊
Jacobe Smith vs Josiah Harrell
[ #UFCHouston | TOMORROW | 8pmET on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/aBZvKF9KVi
— UFC (@ufc) February 20, 2026
Smith vs Harrell: Undefeated Prospects Clash on Short Notice at UFC Houston
This welterweight bout on the UFC Fight Night 267 main card came together on short notice. Josiah Harrell stepped in just five days before the fight to replace Seok Hyeon Ko against Jacobe Smith.
Both men carry perfect 11-0 records into the octagon. This is only Smith’s third UFC fight, and it will be Harrell’s first.
Smith earned his UFC contract on Dana White’s Contender Series with a knockout win. He then knocked out Preston Parsons in round one and submitted Niko Price in round two during his first two UFC appearances.
Harrell has finished 10 of his 11 opponents. Six of those wins came by knockout or TKO and four came by submission.
Smith has a clear size advantage. He stands 5-foot-10 with a 72-inch reach, compared to Harrell’s 5-foot-7 frame and 67-inch reach.
Smith was originally scheduled to fight Seok Hyeon Ko, a striker. Harrell is also a southpaw, so Smith still faces a similar stance match-up.
Harrell’s Road Back to the UFC
Harrell was first scheduled to fight Jack Della Maddalena at UFC 290 in 2023. He was then diagnosed with Moyamoya, a rare brain disease, and required surgery.
He returned to competition in 2024 and went 4-0 before getting the call to step in here. Passing his medical checks was a requirement before the fight could be confirmed.
Smith the Favorite, Harrell the Value Pick
Smith’s wrestling background — he’s a former Oklahoma State University athlete — gives him tools beyond his striking. Analysts point to his athleticism as his main edge.
However, some analysts see Harrell as having betting value at +250. His scrambling ability and toughness make him a live underdog.
Smith is listed between -290 and -325 depending on the book. Harrell sits between +235 and +250.
The fight is expected to start at approximately 8:40 PM ET at Toyota Center in Houston. It streams live on Paramount+.
Harrell’s last win came by TKO when his opponent’s corner stopped the fight in round three against Bekmyrza Dosmatov.
