Joe Pyfer interview: 'He's going to make it a dog fight', Pyfer ahead of Jack Hermansson bout at UFC Vegas 86

He’s overcome several hardships in his personal life, but 27-year-old Joe “Bodybagz” Pyfer has courageously overcome all that to get into the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) through the Dana White Contender Series in 2022.

As a child, Pyfer, born in New Jersey in 1996, used to face abuse from his father, and often used to step out of home and spend his time on park benches, and even ran away from his home at the age of 16. He would, however, be rescued by UFC president Dana White, who helped him in finding accommodation and would pay a year’s rent for him.

Pyfer made his Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) debut in Philadelphia in 2018, and in 2020, he would go on to take part in UFC. However, he would suffer a career-threatening arm injury during a fight against Dustin Stoltzfus. But a year later, in December 2021, Pyfer went onto make his return in a fight against Austin Trotman, and is now on a five-match unbeaten run.



Pyfer next faces eighth-ranked Jack Hermansson in the UFC Main Card fight on Saturday night at UFC 86 in Las Vegas. Ahead of the fight, the 27-year-old caught up with Firstpost, discussing his next opponent, his career so far and more.

Excerpts:

You’ve been unbeaten in five bouts going into the fight against Jack Hermansson. Do you feel there’s any added pressure going into this fight, especially given that this is your first main card fight?

No, it’s a fight. It doesn’t matter where they put you on the card. The fight wouldn’t be any different if we were opening of the card or if we were the last on the card like we are. It doesn’t matter to me, man. The pressure is never in where I’m located on a card. I don’t focus on that stuff. Super easy for me.

Talk us through the Dana White Contender Series. How challenging was that experience and did you have any expectations of getting into the UFC?

I mean, yeah, of course. Yeah, that was my expectation to win my Contender Series and get in the UFC and do what I’ve done. Absolutely. I think the Contender Series is a healthy thing for a bunch of young and upcoming fighters that get a chance to earn and showcase their skills and earn a potential shot at a UFC contract.

How has your preparation been ahead of the Jack Hermansson fight? Has it been any different from the previous fights?

Absolutely. Each camp is different per fighter. Jack is different than Abdul, Jack is different than Gerald Meerschaert. Jack is different than my debut opponent. Yeah, each fight is unique, each fight is different. Each fighter brings a different set of skills. So of course the training’s been different, but the intensity has been, you know, same thing. It’s always been. Nothing has been different apart from the approach and game plan.

What are you focussing on ahead of your bout against Hermansson?

Jack’s a, you know, an OK grappler, an OK wrestler and a OK striker. Not really great in anywhere particular. But you know, he’s, he’s a tough guy. He’s a dog. He’s, he’s fought some of the best. He’s lost to some of the best. So yeah, he’s going to be great. He’s going to want to try and make it a dog fight and I am there for it.

Hermannsson is more experienced than you in the UFC. Does that affect you in any way?

Besides the number of bouts, I’ve been in this game for 23 years. This is going to be my 15th professional fight at a certain point. A fight’s a fight. And yeah, I think the only people that are concerned about experience are you guys and the media and and I understand that. You know, like he’s been there for a while. He’s proven himself and I’m the new kid and everybody wants to see what I can do. But every person that has ever been in my situation that has become a great or you know, going on to be a champion has always been in my exact position, been told that their their experience wasn’t on their side or you know, whatever the case may be. So yeah, sure you could say he’s got experience absolutely. But so do I.  And I have 23 years of experience in the sport around some of the best in the game.

How important is this fight for you as far as your UFC career is concerned? 

Yeah, obviously this is super important and you know, it’s a milestone marker in my career to be able to have a main event and have a win, you know, and then break into the top ten and then start, you know, pushing towards the title type of deal. So it’s a huge marker.

Do you ever think about rankings before a fight? Does that thought of rankings ever get in your mind?

No, I don’t. I don’t really think they’re that legit as it is. And I think a lot of people that are in the top ten hide behind the fact that they’re behind a number and they think it gives them an extra skill point or something. But it doesn’t matter if I’m unranked or if he was unranked, or if he’s number one or I’m #40. Number next to your name doesn’t make you unbeatable, and it doesn’t give you an extra superpower.

You suffered a dislocated arm during the Dana White Contender Series a few years back. How horrific was that and how did you recover from it?

Like, obviously, if anybody knows anything about me as far as my career, it was a devastating injury. It set me out for almost 2 years. And yeah, I mean, I lost mobility. I had two major surgeries. I had a lot of mental health things that happened with it. So yeah, I mean, it was devastating.

Watch UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Pyfer on 11th February 2024 from 5:30 AM IST onwards LIVE on Sony Sports Ten 2 SD & HD, Sony Sports Ten 3 SD & HD (Hindi), Sony Sports Ten 4 SD & HD (Tamil & Telugu).