1. Early Life and Background
Joseph Pyfer's early life was profoundly shaped by a difficult home environment, marked by abuse from his parents. These experiences led him to develop depression and an aggressive demeanor, often resulting in fights at school. He also struggled with suicidal ideation and substance abuse.
1.1. Childhood and Education
Pyfer began training in combat sports at the age of four, gaining experience in boxing, judo, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. By tenth grade, while attending Arthur P. Schalick High School in Pittsgrove Township, New Jersey, he joined the school's wrestling team, where he could apply his existing jiu-jitsu and judo skills. At 16, Pyfer ran away from home to escape his father's abuse. He spent some time living in a park before being taken in by a white man who lived in a cluttered house.
2. Mixed Martial Arts Career
Pyfer's professional mixed martial arts career commenced in 2018, leading him through regional circuits to the global stage of the UFC.
2.1. Early Career
Pyfer made his professional mixed martial arts debut in May 2018 in his hometown of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He quickly amassed an impressive record of seven wins against one loss, capturing both the Art of War Cage Fighting (AOWCF) and Ring of Combat (ROC) Middleweight Championships. Following these successes, he earned his first opportunity to compete in the Dana White's Contender Series.
2.2. Dana White's Contender Series
Pyfer made two appearances on Dana White's Contender Series, both of which were pivotal moments in his career. His first bout was against Dustin Stoltzfus at Dana White's Contender Series 28 on August 11, 2020. Pyfer lost this fight via technical knockout (TKO) in the first round due to a severe injury to his right elbow, which dislocated after a slam.
His second appearance took place at Dana White's Contender Series 47 on July 26, 2022, where he faced Osman Diaz. Pyfer secured a TKO victory in the second round, dropping Diaz with a counter left hook before finishing him with ground and pound. This win led to him being awarded a contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
2.3. Ultimate Fighting Championship
Following his successful performance on the Contender Series, Pyfer embarked on his UFC career, quickly establishing himself with notable finishes and earning performance bonuses.
He made his highly anticipated UFC debut on September 17, 2022, at UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Song, facing Alen Amedovski. Pyfer won the fight via TKO in the first round after dropping Amedovski with a right straight and following up with ground and pound. This impressive debut earned him his first "Performance of the Night" award.
Pyfer's second UFC fight was against Gerald Meerschaert on April 8, 2023, at UFC 287. He secured another TKO victory in the first round, further solidifying his position in the middleweight division.
On October 7, 2023, Pyfer faced Abdul Razak Alhassan at UFC Fight Night: Dawson vs. Green. He won the fight via technical submission in the second round by rendering Alhassan unconscious with an arm-triangle choke. This marked his second "Performance of the Night" award.
His next bout was a main event clash against Jack Hermansson, who was ranked 11th in the middleweight division, at UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Pyfer on February 10, 2024. Pyfer lost the fight via unanimous decision after five rounds.
Pyfer returned to the octagon on June 29, 2024, at UFC 303, where he faced Marc-André Barriault. He won the fight by knockout in the first round, dropping Barriault with a right hook and following up with a right uppercut. This performance earned him his third "Performance of the Night" award.
Pyfer is scheduled to face Kelvin Gastelum on March 29, 2025, at UFC on ESPN 64.
3. Professional Grappling Career
Beyond his mixed martial arts pursuits, Pyfer has also competed in professional grappling competitions. He notably faced Gerald Meerschaert in the main event of Fury Pro Grappling 7 on May 27, 2023, winning the match by unanimous decision. Pyfer then competed against Nick Willey at Fury Pro Grappling 12 on December 28, 2024, where he secured a victory by golden score in overtime.
4. Championships and Accomplishments
Joseph Pyfer has achieved significant recognition in both his mixed martial arts and grappling careers, earning titles and performance bonuses.
4.1. Mixed Martial Arts
- Ultimate Fighting Championship
- Performance of the Night (Three times)
- vs. Alen Amedovski
- vs. Abdul Razak Alhassan
- vs. Marc-André Barriault
- Performance of the Night (Three times)
- UFC Honors Awards
- 2022: Fan's Choice Debut of the Year Nominee (vs. Alen Amedovski)
- Art of War Cage Fighting
- AOWCF Middleweight Championship (One time)
- Ring of Combat
- ROC Middleweight Championship (One time)
5. Professional Record
5.1. Mixed Martial Arts Record
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | 13-3 | Marc-André Barriault | KO (punches) | UFC 303 | June 29, 2024 | 1 | 1:25 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
Loss | 12-3 | Jack Hermansson | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Pyfer | February 10, 2024 | 5 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Win | 12-2 | Abdul Razak Alhassan | Technical Submission (arm-triangle choke) | UFC Fight Night: Dawson vs. Green | October 7, 2023 | 2 | 2:05 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
Win | 11-2 | Gerald Meerschaert | TKO (punches) | UFC 287 | April 8, 2023 | 1 | 3:15 | Miami, Florida, United States | |
Win | 10-2 | Alen Amedovski | TKO (punches) | UFC Fight Night: Sandhagen vs. Song | September 17, 2022 | 1 | 3:55 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | Performance of the Night. |
Win | 9-2 | Osman Diaz | TKO (punches) | Dana White's Contender Series 47 | July 26, 2022 | 2 | 1:39 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Win | 8-2 | Austin Trotman | KO (punch) | CFFC 104 | December 17, 2021 | 2 | 2:55 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
Loss | 7-2 | Dustin Stoltzfus | TKO (elbow injury) | Dana White's Contender Series 28 | August 11, 2020 | 1 | 4:21 | Las Vegas, Nevada, United States | |
Win | 7-1 | Chase Gamble | TKO (punches) | Ring of Combat 71 | February 21, 2020 | 2 | 1:04 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
Loss | 6-1 | Jhonoven Pati | Submission (guillotine choke) | Ring of Combat 70 | November 23, 2019 | 2 | 1:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Lost the ROC Middleweight Championship. |
Win | 6-0 | Matt Foster | TKO (punches) | Ring of Combat 69 | September 13, 2019 | 1 | 1:07 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | Won the vacant ROC Middleweight Championship. |
Win | 5-0 | Elijah Gbollie | KO (elbow and punch) | Ring of Combat 68 | May 31, 2019 | 2 | 1:36 | Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States | |
Win | 4-0 | Eric Roncoroni | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Art of War Cage Fighting 11 | February 16, 2019 | 1 | 4:53 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | Won the vacant AOWCF Middleweight Championship. |
Win | 3-0 | Lorenzo Hunt | Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) | Art of War Cage Fighting 8 | October 5, 2018 | 1 | 3:47 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | |
Win | 2-0 | Derek Wilson | Decision (unanimous) | CES MMA 52 | August 17, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | Catchweight (190 lb) bout. |
Win | 1-0 | Steven Covington | TKO (punches) | Art of War Cage Fighting 7 | May 18, 2018 | 1 | 2:40 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States | Middleweight debut. |