Joe “Company Man” Pyfer continues to rack up wins inside the UFC. His second-round submission of Abdul Razak Alhassan last night at UFC Fight Night 229 takes him to three straight victories since graduating from the Contender Series last year.
JOE PYFER PUT HIM TO SLEEP 😴 #UFCVegas80 pic.twitter.com/Fcu3wQAgsB
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) October 8, 2023
Pyfer impressed UFC brass Dana White on the Contender Series by knocking out then-LFA middleweight champion Osman Diaz. He quickly returned to action to dispatch Alen Amedovski in the first round, then served the same fate to long-time middleweight litmus test Gerald Meerschaert eight months later.
Pyfer, who’s still only 27-years-old, built upon his streak again this past weekend with a brutal arm triangle in the second round. The finish caused controversy online due to the appearance of an attempted tap from his opponent Abdul Razak Alhassan, which Pyfer chose to ignore until the referee separated the two. Despite shouts of unsportsmanlike conduct on Pyfer, Alhassan’s hand movement resembled punches more than a tap.
Pyfer had words for the rest of his division in the post-fight press conference.
“I really wanted to fight Paul Craig, and then he got booked,” Pyfer said when asked who he wants next. “Derek Brunson got cut or whatever happened with that. Andre Muniz has a fight. Any of those two, that are still active, that would be good.”
Pyfer told the media he’s happy to take time to heal before he gets back into the cage, again naming Paul Craig as his desired opponent upon his return.
“Let’s see how that Paul Craig guy does against Brendan Allen. I think he’s going to get his ass whooped, but I’d like to fight him after he gets his ass whooped.”
Pyfer also further commented on his UFC contract after confirming he did not sign a new deal prior to entering the octagon on Saturday.
“I want to get a new contract, I’ve finished three of my four fights,” he said. He added that he expects a pay rise if he is to move up the ladder and fight the “baddest guys in the world.”
