Urijah Faber, Team Alpha Male rally around UFC fighter Vince Murdock ahead of brain surgery

The past few months haven’t been easy for UFC featherweight Vince Murdock.

After finally achieving his dream of signing with the UFC, Team Alpha Male’s Murdock (12-3 MMA, 0-0 UFC) was pulled from his promotional debut in June just days prior to the event.

Murdock, who took a bout against Jordan Griffin at UFC on ESPN 3, was removed from the card when he could not obtain medical clearance. Shortly thereafter, news surfaced Murdock was flagged by USADA for Cardarine metabolites and suspended 20-months as a result.

It turns out Murdock’s removal from UFC Minneapolis wasn’t due to the USADA flag. It was a result of medical abnormalities. In pre-fight medical testing, Murdock was diagnosed with high grade cerebral tenosis.

When he returned home to California, the featherweight fighter underwent further testing and was diagnosed with a rare medical condition called moyamoya. As a result, Murdock will have to undergo a cerebral artery bypass and a craniotomy.

“This physical just happened to save Vince’s life,” coach and teammate Urijah Faber said in a video posted online. “We found out that although he wasn’t having any symptoms that he’s got a very rare, rare brain condition.”

Faber detailed how important Murdock has been to the team-oriented vibe in the gym and asked for the MMA community’s help in raising money through a Go Fund Me account titled “Save Vinny’s Brain”.

The goal is currently set at $195,000 – half of the total price of the procedure.

“It was pretty heartbreaking. For those who don’t know Vince, he’s a pretty big part of our team. He’s somebody we’ve named the ‘Mush Award.’ His nickname, ‘The Mush’ is the fighter with the biggest heart. He gives it out every single year at the banquet at the end of the year.

“He’s been the guy who’s hosted fighters from all over the globe – the U.S. and across the world as the welcoming committee to our team, our gym. For someone who’s been on this long journey to have his dreams come true, which were taken away from him … He may have a half functioning brain, but he’s got a full heart.”

The Go Fund Me description detailed moyamoya and how it’s effecting Murdock’s health:

“Moyamoya is a rare condition in which the blood vessels (internal carotid arteries) that supply blood to the brain become narrowed. This limits the flow of blood to the brain, puts them at risk for stroke, and often times left untreated can result in death. Right now it’s unknown the cause of the condition, possibly genetics. (note that this condition is not fight related) The results of Murdocks MRA, MRI, CT scans show a 95%to complete blockage in the left side of the brain, allowing little to no blood flow, while managing to get blood supply from its reserves or compensation due to the narrowing. There is no telling how long it has been managing or how much longer it will continue compensate for narrowing/blockage. Upon a further consultation with Dr. Steinburg of Stanford University, a more in-depth look at Vincent’s scans show stoke like signs, and recommends a sense of urgency for surgery.”

Check out the full fundraiser video below: