Latest news with #JoePyfer
USA Today
08-06-2025
- Sport
- USA Today
Joe Pyfer apologizes for critical comments of Mexico following UFC 316 win
Joe Pyfer apologizes for critical comments of Mexico following UFC 316 win With a win over Kelvin Gastelum in hand, Joe Pyfer back tracks on his controversial comments of Mexico. Show Caption Hide Caption UFC 316: Joe Pyfer post-fight interview UFC 316 winner Joe Pyfer spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters post-fight after his unanimous decision victory over Kelvin Gastelum. NEWARK, N.J. – Joe Pyfer back tracked on the comments that got in hot water with many of the fans ahead of his bout against Kelvin Gastelum. Pyfer (14-3 MMA, 5-1 UFC), who was critical of Mexico and called the country a "sh*thole" after getting sick and pulling out of his original booking with Gastelum in Mexico City in March, apologized to the Mexican fan base for the way he went about things following the conclusion of UFC 316. Pyfer defeated Gastelum (20-10 MMA, 13-10 UFC) by unanimous decision this past Saturday in their re-scheduled bout. The fight was part of the pay-per-view main card of UFC 316, which took place at Prudential Center in Newark, N.J. "Ultimately, things did not go well, PR-wise, for me in Mexico," Pyfer said at his UFC 316 post-fight news conference. "And again, I want to apologize to my Mexicans out there that may hate me. It was not anything toward Mexican culture or people. I should've rephrased it a lot kinder and I didn't, so it is what it is. But I do stand that I will never fight there again. It's too big of a risk for a b*tch like me." Pyfer was not only critical of what he said in the build up to the fight, but also of his own performance on Saturday. He promised to be the first person to KO Gastleum, and wasn't able to come through with his prediction. "I really thought he was going to come forward more," Pyfer said. "That was our game plan: Make him miss, make him pay. I think that's what led to it. It was both of our faults. It takes two to tango. Every time that he would come in, I would swing – but he didn't come in very often. Ultimately, it shows I have a lot to work on still. At the end of the day, this is a neverending job of improvement and skill-building and base-building. "But f*ck it – I got the win, and I got two checks and I beat a guy who fought for the title and is getting inducted into the UFC Hall of Fame, deservedly so."
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Joe Pyfer fires back at critics: 'I Didn't Get Fraud Checked!', aims at Bo Nickal in fiery rant
The post Joe Pyfer fires back at critics: 'I Didn't Get Fraud Checked!', aims at Bo Nickal in fiery rant appeared first on ClutchPoints. Joe Pyfer has had enough of the 'fraud checked' label. At UFC 316 media day, the surging middleweight prospect addressed the MMA community's favorite insult after his decision loss to Jack Hermansson, and he didn't hold back. In a pointed statement, Pyfer argued that his defeat was nothing like the so-called 'fraud check' that fans and pundits love to throw around. Instead, Pyfer redirected the term squarely at fellow prospect Bo Nickal, whose recent TKO loss to Reinier de Ridder sent shockwaves through the division. The message was clear, Pyfer doesn't see his setback as evidence that he was overhyped or exposed, unlike what he claims happened to Nickal. What Does 'Fraud Checked' Really Mean? The term 'fraud checked' has become MMA's go-to for describing fighters who, after a wave of hype, are exposed as not being as good as advertised. It's a label that stings, especially for rising stars with big promotional pushes. Pyfer, however, insists the label is being misapplied to his own UFC journey. Advertisement Pyfer explained that his loss to Hermansson was a close, competitive affair where he wasn't dominated, finished, or embarrassed. He pointed to the circumstances around the fight, his first main event, his first five-rounder, and coming in less than 100%. Despite the adversity, Pyfer went the distance, losing a narrow decision. 'A lot of people focus on my fight with Jack Hermansson, which is understandable. That was my first major event, my initial significant challenge, and I entered that fight not at my best due to various issues. It wasn't my finest showing, but I wasn't knocked out, I didn't get submitted, and I definitely wasn't fraud checked. If we're talking about who got fraud checked, it would be Bo Nickal, as he was finished in his first loss. I, on the other hand, lost by a split decision, essentially three rounds to two.' Pyfer's argument is simple: a 'fraud check' is when a fighter is thoroughly exposed, finished, dominated, or shown to be out of their depth. By his definition, a hard-fought decision loss to a top-10 veteran doesn't qualify. Bo Nickal: The Real 'Fraud Check'? Pyfer's comments weren't just about defending his own reputation, they were a direct shot at Bo Nickal. Once considered the UFC's next can't-miss superstar, Nickal's aura of invincibility took a major hit when Reinier de Ridder finished him with a brutal knee to the body at UFC Des Moines. Nickal, a three-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion, was touted as a future champion but was stopped in the second round by the more experienced de Ridder. The MMA world pounced. Social media was flooded with 'fraud checked' memes, and Nickal faced a wave of criticism for his performance. Many saw the loss as proof that Nickal's wrestling pedigree wasn't enough to carry him through the upper echelon of the division. Advertisement Pyfer seized on this moment, using it to draw a clear distinction between his own loss and Nickal's. According to Pyfer, Nickal's defeat, where he was finished and his weaknesses exposed, fits the textbook definition of a 'fraud check.' 'Let's redefine what fraud checked is. If anybody got fraud checked, we could say it's Bo Nickal. He got finished on his first loss. I lost a split, basically a split decision, three rounds to one or to two. So it is what it is.' Bo Nickal Responds to the 'Fraud Check' Label For his part, Bo Nickal has handled the criticism with humility. In interviews following the de Ridder fight, Nickal acknowledged the backlash but refused to let it define him. Nickal's focus remains on improving as a fighter, and he's made it clear that he won't be deterred by the noise. Advertisement With Pyfer set to face Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 316, the stakes are higher than ever. A win would put him back on track and further validate his claim that he's no fraud. For Nickal, the path forward is about rebuilding and proving that one loss doesn't erase his potential. Related: UFC 316: Can a fully healed O'Malley dethrone Dvalishvili or is the 'Suga Show' over? Related: Nassourdine Imavov isn't waiting for a title shot, he's forcing the UFC's hand at UFC Paris
Yahoo
08-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Who Got Fraud Checked? NOT THIS GUY!
Joe Pyfer thinks fight fans are overlooking him. The Middleweight knockout artist holds a 4-1 record inside the Octagon, and each of those victories came via stoppage. However, he feels like the focus remains on the sole loss of his UFC career, a February 2024 upset loss to Jack Hermansson. In that bout, Pyfer was able to start strong, but he lost moment as the fight wore on, and Hermansson's movement really gave him trouble. Advertisement Before the official scorecards had even been read, fans cried, 'FRAUD CHECK!' Pyfer doesn't think that's fair. In his opinion, he suffered a competitive loss to a veteran, and it's not like he got knocked out or anything. Compared to something like Bo Nickal's recent implosion against Reinier de Ridder, it's not such a bad loss! 'I think a lot of people go off my Jack Hermansson fight, which is fine,' Pyfer said. 'That was my first big show, first big test. Walked into it not 100%, had some thigns going on and it wasn't my best performance. But, I didn't get rocked, I didn't got dropped, I didn't get submitted — I didn't get fraud checked. Let's redefine what fraud checked is. If anybody got fraud checked, it's Bo Nickal. He got finished on his first loss. I lost basically a split-decision, three rounds to two.' I actually don't disagree with a lot of Pyfer's comments here. Losing to Hermansson is understandable for a man with relatively few UFC fights, and at 28 years of age, Pyfer has plenty of time to rebound and get better. He's not a fraud for losing a single UFC fight, not when champions like Charles Oliveira have proven that an indirect path to UFC gold is possible. Advertisement The 'split-decision' in question though? Hermansson won that fight cleanly. As for not being 100%, every fighter shows up injured to some degree, so take Dustin Poirier's advice and hush it up! This weekend (Sat., June 7, 2025), Pyfer will finally face off versus veteran Kelvin Gastelum. The two were supposed to square off in Mexico City two months ago, but a last-second stomach problem ejected him from the contest and permanently pissed him off. More from
USA Today
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Joe Pyfer: Bo Nickal 'got fraud checked' in first UFC loss
Joe Pyfer: Bo Nickal 'got fraud checked' in first UFC loss Show Caption Hide Caption UFC 316: Joe Pyfer media day interview UFC 316 fighter Joe Pyfer spoke to MMA Junkie and reporters at media day for his featured bout vs. Kelvin Gastelum on Saturday in Newark, N.J. MORRISTOWN, N.J. – Bo Nickal caught a stray during UFC 316 media day. Despite not being on the card, Nickal's name surfaced unprompted by fellow UFC middleweight Joe Pyfer, who fights Kelvin Gastelum on the pay-per-view main card of UFC 316 (pay-per-view, ESPN, ESPN+) this Saturday at Prudential Center in Newark. Pyfer said Nickal was "fraud checked" in his first professional loss last month against Reinier de Ridder. Pyfer (13-3 MMA, 4-1 UFC) mentioned Nickal in reference to some people questioning his chances against Gastelum (20-9 MMA, 13-9 UFC) due to the nature of his first UFC defeat, which came last year vs. Jack Hermansson. "I think a lot of people go off my Jack Hermanson fight, which is fine," Pyfer told MMA Junkie at UFC 316 media day. "But that was my first big show, my first big test, walked into it not 100 percent, I had some things going on. It wasn't my best performance, but I didn't get rocked. I didn't get dropped, I didn't get submitted, I didn't get fraud checked. Let's redefine what fraud checked is. If anyone got fraud checked, we can say it's Bo Nickal. He got finished in his first loss. I lost a split decision basically, three rounds to two." Pyfer feels more than ready to defeat the best version of Gastelum for his second win in a row. He's confident he'll have an answer for everything Gastelum could offer. "I trained for the Kelvin that fought Izzy, the guy that's going to be in your face, the guy that has the cardio to go hard 15 minutes, so I'm training for the best version of Kelvin," Pyfer said "I also thought in my personal opinion that KG has done his better work at 185. He's not going to be as sucked out at '70 obviously. I still think that there's a huge power difference between us. I think that there's a big skill difference between us as far as me being more complete."
Forbes
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
UFC 316 Fight Card Odds And Predictions: Gastelum Vs. Pyfer
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - MARCH 28: (L-R) Opponents Kelvin Gastelum and Joe Pyfer face off during the ... More UFC Fight Night ceremonial weigh-in at CDMX Arena on March 28, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) On Saturday, Kelvin Gastelum and Joe Pyfer meet in a matchup the UFC initially booked for the recent UFC Mexico City event. That fight fell through on the day of the event when Pyfer fell ill and was unable to compete. The two middleweights face off in Newark on the pay-per-view portion of the UFC 316 fight card. We look at betting odds, line movement, preview, picks, and predictions for Gastelum vs. Pyfer, which takes place at Prudential Center. The UFC 316 PPV card streams on ESPN+ following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+ and UFC Fight Pass. The main event of UFC 316 finds UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili against the man he took the title from, Sean O'Malley. Meanwhile, in the fight card's co-main event, two-time women's bantamweight champ Julianna Pena looks to do what she could not in her first title run, make a successful defense of her crown. Pena faces former two-time PFL lightweight tournament winner Kayla Harrison. MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - MARCH 28: Kelvin Gastelum poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night ... More ceremonial weigh-in at CDMX Arena on March 28, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) Kelvin Gastelum (19-9-0-1) has been with the UFC since April 2013, when he won Season 17 of 'The Ultimate Fighter' with a split decision over Uriah Hall. The victory over Hall put Gastelum's professional record at 7-0. Gastelum dropped to welterweight for his next UFC fight. He remained unbeaten through 2014, losing his first fight in January 2015 when Tyron Woodley defeated him via split decision. Gastelum missed weight for the Woodley matchup, coming in at 180. It was not his first issue on the scale as a member of the UFC roster. He also came in heavy for his June 2014 win over Nico Musoke, weighing 172.75. Weight issues have plagued Gastelum throughout his UFC career, as he has struggled at times to make welterweight and middleweight. Gastelum's career has been up and down since his loss to Woodley. Since that 2015 clash, his record stands at 8-8-0-1, and he has not won more than two fights in a row. The 33-year-old is a very talented fighter, but his struggles to make weight and consistency issues inside the cage have hurt him. The high point of Gastelum's career is his 2019 interim UFC middleweight title fight opposite Israel Adesanya, a bout that recently enshrined the two men in the UFC Hall of Fame. Gastelum has a 3-6 record dating back to April 2019, when he faced Adesanya. He is coming off a June 2024 unanimous decision win over Daniel Rodriguez. MEXICO CITY, MEXICO - MARCH 28: Joe Pyfer poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night ceremonial ... More weigh-in at CDMX Arena on March 28, 2025 in Mexico City, Mexico. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC) Joe Pyfer (13-3) had a first go at gaining a UFC contract in 2020 at a Dana White Contender Series event. At the time, the 23-year-old was 7-1. His only career loss to that point was a second-round submission setback to Jhonoven Pati under the Ring of Combat banner. Pyfer lost the ROC middleweight championship in that outing. Pyfer faced Dustin Stoltzfus on that DWCS card. Pyfer looked good in the early going of that matchup, walking down his foe and looking to land powerful strikes. With a bit over two minutes left in the first round, Pyfer scored an easy takedown on Stoltzfus, who calmly looked to set up a submission while Pyfer did his best to create openings to land heavy ground strikes. With the clock ticking down, Stoltzfus stood and went for a slam takedown. Pyfer landed with all his weight on his extended right arm, causing an injury that ended the fight. Pyfer recovered from that injury, but he did not fight again until he earned a first-round knockout win over Austin Trotman on a Cage Fury fight card. The UFC gave Pyfer a second opportunity to earn a contract in July 2022. Pyfer faced Ozzy Diaz on a DWCS card. Pyfer was a +100 betting underdog at that event. Pyfer didn't mess around on the feet against Diaz. He scored a takedown inside the first minute and then worked for a submission until Diaz reversed Pyfer with two minutes left in the round. Diaz could not keep Pyfer on the mat, as Pyfer worked back to his feet, where he scored with low kicks and an effective jab. In the second stanza, Pyfer pressured Diaz and then, showing off his power, ended the fight with a powerful left hook that put his opponent on his back. In awarding Pyfer a UFC contract, UFC CEO Dana White said, "If you want to get into the UFC, and this is where you want to be, act like Joe Pyfer. Okay? Be Joe Pyfer. Be excited to be here. Be fired up to fight. Try to finish the fight. Try to win. Be Joe Pyfer, and you will get into the UFC." Pyfer put together a 3-0 run under the UFC banner between September 2022 and October 2023, scoring three stoppages and two 'Performance of the Night' bonuses. Seeing promise in Pyfer, the UFC booked him in a main event against veteran Jack Hermansson in February 2024. Pyfer was a favorite in that matchup, but he fell short, as Hermansson's veteran skills showed gaps in Pyfer's game. Pyfer rebounded from that loss with a first-round knockout win over Marc-André Barriault at UFC 303. When BetOnline published the opening odds for this matchup, Pyfer was a -300 favorite over Gastelum, who was listed at +250. Today, Pyfer has climbed to -355, while Gastelum is a +280 betting underdog. Age: 33 Height: 5' 9' Reach: 71.5' Stance: Southpaw Age: 28 Height: 6'1' Reach: 75' Stance: Orthodox LAS VEGAS, NEVADA - JUNE 29: Joe Pyfer looks on after his victory in a middleweight fight against ... More Marc-Andre Barriault of Canada during the UFC 303 event at T-Mobile Arena on June 29, 2024 in Las Vegas, Nevada. (Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) Gastelum has one of the best chins in the business, and if Pyfer gets too aggressive and thinks he will be able to put his opponent away based on his power, things might get tricky for the younger fighter. Pyfer's best bet is not to chase the knockout here but to use his power to rack up damage while being sound defensively. The betting pick is for Joe Pyfer to beat Kelvin Gastelum by decision. However, for those who do not have faith in Pyfer's fight IQ, a Gastelum upset win via decision is a value betting pick to think about. We will have more on the UFC 316 Gastelum vs. Pyfer bout as fight night nears, as well as live results, reactions, highlights and more for the UFC 316 pay-per-view card on fight night.
