Joe Pyfer doesn’t need to be lumped in the identical class as Bo Nickal.
Each middleweights made a robust impression on Dana White’s Contender Collection, with Pyfer debuting off of the present in 2022 and Nickal becoming a member of him on the UFC roster in 2023. Pyfer had the backing of UFC CEO Dana White, who memorably coined the phrase “Be Joe Pyfer,” whereas Nickal has lengthy been thought of considered one of MMA’s brightest prospects following a spectacular collegiate wrestling profession at Penn State.
Sadly for each fighters, they suffered current losses that halted their hype. In his first UFC headlining alternative, Pyfer misplaced a unanimous determination to veteran Jack Hermansson, although he has since rebounded with a first-round knockout of Marc-Andre Barriault at UFC 303. Nickal awaits his subsequent reserving after being completed by way of TKO within the second spherical by former two-division ONE Championship titleholder Reinier de Ridder this previous Could.
Chatting with reporters at media day forward of UFC 316 this Saturday, Pyfer was requested how he stacks as much as opponent Kelvin Gastelum and he took the chance to intention a stray shot at Nickal.
“So far as me being extra full [than Gastelum], I believe lots of people go off my Jack Hermansson battle, which is ok, however that was my first huge present,” Pyfer stated Wednesday. “My first huge take a look at. Walked into it not one hundred pc, had some issues happening and it wasn’t my greatest efficiency however I didn’t get rocked, I didn’t get dropped, I didn’t get ‘fraud checked.’ So let’s redefine what ‘fraud checked’ is.
“If anyone obtained fraud checked we are able to say it’s Bo Nickal. He obtained completed on his first loss. I misplaced mainly a cut up determination, three rounds to 2. However yeah, I’m ready for the KG of outdated.”
Pyfer has twice as many MMA fights below his belt as Nickal, so his evaluation could seem harsh, however Nickal had already confronted scrutiny for his performances earlier than the loss to de Ridder. The unheralded Cody Brundage made Nickal work for a win earlier than being submitted within the second spherical and Nickal adopted that up with a dreary determination win over Paul Craig.
Ought to Pyfer keep on the successful monitor, a duel with Nickal might lie in his future, however for now he’s centered on testing himself in opposition to Gastelum, whether or not that’s on the ft or on the mat.
“I believe Kelvin, simply my opinion, I believe Kelvin’s afraid of my energy early, so I wouldn’t be shocked if he wrestles to try to tire me out, I really feel,” Pyfer stated. “So we’re greater than ready. I believe I’ve very underrated grappling, very underrated wrestling. I believe the one adverse folks can go off of with my sport in that regard is simply the fifth spherical in opposition to Jack as a result of I used to be f*cking exhausted. In a five-round battle, my first five-round battle. I’ll be good.”
One cause Pyfer caught White’s consideration on the Contender Collection is because of his spectacular ending charge. 9 of Pyfer’s 13 professional wins have come by the use of KO/TKO.
Ending Gastelum with strikes could be a large feather in Pyfer’s cap, contemplating Gastelum has by no means been knocked out as he heads into his thirtieth professional battle.
“Pay attention, I do know I can end him,” Pyfer stated. “There’s no query. If my energy touches his chin, I can fold anyone on this division, that’s a truth, that’s simply what I consider and I consider it’s a truth. You may’t take the sort of shots-especially if I’m sitting on my photographs, I’m going to harm you. On the very least, harm you and it’ll result in a end.
“Finally, my job is to go on the market and win. I might like to get a end over KG, however like I stated, I’m ready for quarter-hour. That’s what I put in my thoughts, however make no mistake, I shall be attempting to trigger harm and I shall be attempting to get him out of there. Simply because he hasn’t been completed by TKO or KO within the cage doesn’t imply it may possibly’t occur. Similar factor goes for me, clearly, there’s a primary time for every little thing, however I’m actually assured in my abilities and my preparation and I believe I’ll be capable to get him out of there, a way, a technique or one other.”
