Joe Pyfer was forced out of his anticipated spot at UFC on ESPN 64, and he had more than a few scathing reasons as to why.
Joe Pyfer Loses Out on Crucial Fight Due to Health Issues
Set to throw down with perennial middleweight contender Kelvin Gastelum in Mexico this past weekend, Pyfer ultimately had to pull out the day of the contest because of complications to his health. The sudden loss of the scrap left a sizable hole for the event’s entertaining lineup, as the 28-year old was gearing up for another chance at entering the division’s top 15. Although no official reason was given to Joe Pyfer’s sickness, he appeared to allude to his absence from the show stemming from a possible case of food poisoning.
Joe Pyfer won't go back to Mexico. pic.twitter.com/7XdSCj802p
— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) March 30, 2025
“Went to dinner, had some food at a place that was supposedly trusted, and, yeah, a couple hours later, I had the runs.” Joe Pyfer stated. “I think I (expletive deleted) at least 10 or 11 times. I went from 209 pounds, or something like that as I was still hydrating, down to 194 pounds the morning of with a puddle I was sleeping in. A fever, nausea, obviously, vomit, excruciating stomach pain.”
Joe Pyfer Won’t Be Competing in Mexico For Foreseeable Future
The loss of a high-profile matchup clearly irked Pyfer, who made it loudly and crudely known that he has no intentions of ever returning to Mexico again.
“I don’t care if it’s offensive to you: I will never go back to that country,” Joe Pyfer continued. “I did everything right. I slept in a tent. I did all this work to still get sick. Some people are saying it wasn’t the food, saying I got altitude sickness. I’m not a (censored) geographic (censored) elevation scientist, but I was told as long as I acclimated, which I did for two months, slept in a tent on the (censored) floor. I did everything that I could to prepare. If that’s what altitude and elevation is, (expletive deleted) that country. I will never fight there again.
Will Joe Pyfer Still Face Gastelum?
Although he did miss out on possibly the biggest opportunity of his mixed martial arts career, Pyfer still believes that he may still get his wish to combat Gastelum at a later date. In a screenshot posted to X, courtesy of Nolan King, “Bodybagz” hopes the encounter can be rescheduled as early as a couple of weeks from now.
Joe Pyfer statement on his #UFCMexico withdrawal from his fight vs. Kelvin Gastelum: pic.twitter.com/4iq8HsjdbQ
— Nolan King (@mma_kings) March 29, 2025
Coming up short against his first ranked adversary last year opposite Jack Hermansson, Joe Pyfer now stands once again teetering on the edge of contendership after knocking out Marc-André Barriault at UFC 303.
