Joe Pyfer, aiming to distinguish himself from Bo Nickal, is focused on defeating Kelvin Gastelum, emphasizing his power and preparation while addressing past setbacks and potential future matchups.
Joe Pyfer isn’t keen on being compared to Bo Nickal. Both middleweights made waves on Dana White’s Contender Series. Pyfer debuted in 2022, followed by Nickal in 2023. Pyfer had UFC CEO Dana White’s backing with the catchphrase “Be Joe Pyfer,” while Nickal was already a standout due to his wrestling prowess at Penn State.
Recently, both fighters hit bumps in the road. Pyfer lost a unanimous decision to Jack Hermansson in his first UFC headliner. But he bounced back with a first-round KO of Marc-Andre Barriault at UFC 303. Nickal, meanwhile, suffered a TKO loss to Reinier de Ridder in May and is awaiting his next fight.
At UFC 316 media day, Pyfer compared himself to Kelvin Gastelum and took a jab at Nickal. “People judge me by my Hermansson fight,” Pyfer said. “It was my first big test, not my best, but I didn’t get ‘fraud checked.’ That’s Nickal, who got finished in his first loss.”
Pyfer’s critique might seem harsh, given his experience. Nickal had faced criticism even before his loss to de Ridder. Cody Brundage challenged him before being submitted, and Nickal later secured a lackluster decision over Paul Craig.
If Pyfer keeps winning, a clash with Nickal could be on the horizon. For now, he’s focused on Gastelum, whether standing or grappling. “I think Kelvin’s wary of my power,” Pyfer noted. “I wouldn’t be surprised if he tries to wrestle me to tire me out.”
Pyfer’s finishing ability caught Dana White’s eye. Nine of his thirteen wins are by KO/TKO. Knocking out Gastelum, who’s never been KO’d, would be a significant achievement.
“I know I can finish him,” Pyfer asserted. “If my power connects, I can fold anyone in this division. My job is to win, but I’m aiming for a finish. Just because Gastelum hasn’t been KO’d doesn’t mean it’s impossible.”
Ultimately, Pyfer is confident. “I’m prepared for 15 minutes, but I’ll be looking to cause damage. There’s a first time for everything, and I believe in my skills and preparation to get him out of there.”