Joe Pyfer is set to face Jack Hermansson in his first UFC main event on February 10, and while he respects his opponent, he doesn’t expect the fight to go the full 25 minutes as he believes he is too powerful and fast.
Joe Pyfer is gearing up for his first UFC main event. He’s got a worthy adversary in Jack Hermansson. But, Pyfer’s not banking on the judges to call this one.
The UFC’s Feb. 10 fight card in Las Vegas is where it’s all going down. Pyfer’s got a lot of respect for Hermansson, a solid middleweight contender. Still, he’s confident that his unique skills will tip the scales in his favor.
Pyfer recently shared his thoughts on Hermansson’s boxing skills on The MMA Hour. “His boxing? Not all that,” he said. “He’s a tough guy, though. Got grit, that’s for sure. But his combinations? Kinda sloppy. He’s a tough cookie, but he’s not great at anything.”
Pyfer knows Hermansson’s got a knack for pulling ahead. “If you lag behind, he’ll leave you in the dust. He’s got stamina, that’s for sure. But I’m ready for a 25-minute battle. Not that I think it’ll last that long. I’m faster, stronger. That’s what gets my blood pumping. I can take him down in his reckless moments.”
Pyfer’s been on a roll since he got his UFC contract. He’s knocked out all three of his octagon opponents in a total of 13 minutes. His latest win? He took down Abdul Razak Alhassan in the second round at UFC Vegas 80 in October. Nicknamed “Bodybagz,” Pyfer’s not one to mess with.
Pyfer’s first headliner is a big deal, and he’s planning to make the most of it. He’s got a lot of confidence going up against Hermansson. But, he admits his own body is his biggest adversary in the fight game.
“I wouldn’t say there’s anything about Hermansson that makes me overly confident,” Pyfer said. “Most of my issues? Injuries. I’ve been injury-prone since I was 24. Sometimes, it messes with my head, affects my training. I push through the pain, but I know I’m risking serious injury.”
“So, I’ve been focusing on taking care of my body and my health,” he added.