Joe Pyfer, after securing his fourth UFC win by knocking out Marc-Andre Barriault, expressed disillusionment with MMA fans due to their harsh criticism following his previous loss to Jack Hermansson, which taught him the importance of ignoring negative comments.
Joe Pyfer’s first UFC loss taught him a valuable lesson: Don’t read the comments.
At UFC 303, Pyfer scored his fourth win in the UFC, knocking out Marc-Andre Barriault in just 85 seconds. It was his first fight since losing to Jack Hermansson back in February. Most would assume Pyfer was on cloud nine after such a victory. However, “Bodybagz” says that’s not the case, partly because of how he now views MMA fans.
“There’s really no high from this one,” Pyfer said on The MMA Hour.
“I don’t know what it is. I think I’m so disgusted with MMA fans that there’s really no joy in it for me now. I just feel like a lot of people are all fake now.” After getting criticized for coming up short in the decision, he feels disillusioned.
“I was talking to my coach about it because there really is no high for me,” he continued. “I’m excited and proud of myself. It was a stellar performance and I made the most money I’ve ever made in my career, and that is what I’m super happy about.”
Since joining UFC in 2022 off of the Contender Series, Pyfer has made an impact quickly. He secured three knockout wins in his first three fights. Then came his first UFC main event against Hermansson, where he fell short after dominating early on.
It was a tough setback for Pyfer both professionally and personally. Fans were ruthless towards him following the loss.
“Everybody kind of said I got fraud checked, and it kind of rubbed me the wrong way,” Pyfer said. “I [don’t] think fraud check is going out there fighting the No. 10 guy in the world unranked and going five rounds with him.” He explained how he was winning early but couldn’t keep up due to an eye injury caused by Hermansson’s legal shot.
“But my point is, everybody f*cking shit on me and said I got fraud checked,” he added. “I took a risk; it wasn’t the smartest given the circumstances, but I’m proud of my performance.” He learned that hate is inevitable in this sport and can take a brutal toll on mental health if you don’t detach from irrelevant opinions.
After losing to Hermansson, Pyfer didn’t train for two months due to being upset with both fans and himself. That wasn’t the case this time around though.
For Pyfer, destroying Barriault was his way of sticking it to all those fans who ripped him earlier this year. “I felt anger; I felt happy,” he said with satisfaction.
“I like—there you go, motherfckers! Here’s your Salt Bae [does sprinkle motion], motherfcker.” He relished proving his critics wrong by keeping quiet until fight week when he finally talked his shit after winning.
Pyfer is now 4-1 in UFC and has called for a fight with Paul Craig next.