Table of Contents
BREAKING: Joe Pyfer Pulls Out of UFC Mexico Showdown with Kelvin Gastelum
Fight fans, we’ve got some disappointing news coming out of Mexico City. Just hours before UFC Mexico was set to light up the octagon, middleweight prospect Joe “Bodybagz” Pyfer has been forced to withdraw from his highly anticipated bout against veteran Kelvin Gastelum due to illness.
The UFC announced the last-minute cancellation Saturday, dealing a significant blow to what was shaping up to be one of the most intriguing main card matchups of the night.
The Fight That Almost Was
I’ve been tracking Pyfer’s meteoric rise since his impressive showing on Dana White’s Contender Series, and this matchup against Gastelum represented a major step up in competition for the 27-year-old. Coming off three straight UFC victories (including two first-round finishes), Pyfer was looking to cement himself as a legitimate contender in the middleweight division.
For Gastelum, this fight offered a chance to build on his recent momentum after snapping a two-fight skid with a win over Chris Curtis last April. The Ultimate Fighter 17 winner was hoping to showcase his revitalized skill set in front of a supportive Mexico City crowd.
What We Know About Pyfer’s Condition
While specific details remain limited, the UFC has confirmed that Pyfer’s withdrawal is illness-related rather than injury-based. This timing couldn’t be worse, with the fighter presumably already having completed his weight cut and final preparations.
This marks the first time Pyfer has been forced to withdraw from a scheduled UFC bout, adding an unfortunate setback to what has otherwise been a promising UFC career.
Impact on the UFC Mexico Card
With no time to secure a replacement, the UFC Mexico card will now proceed with one fewer bout than originally planned. The main card will still be headlined by the flyweight title fight between champion Brandon Moreno and challenger Amir Albazi.
Here’s how the updated main card looks:
| Main Card (ESPN+) | Division |
|---|---|
| Brandon Moreno vs. Amir Albazi | Flyweight |
| Brian Ortega vs. Diego Lopes | Featherweight |
| Yazmin Jauregui vs. Sam Hughes | Strawweight |
| Daniel Zellhuber vs. Francisco Prado | Lightweight |
| Middleweight |
What’s Next for Both Fighters?
The big question now is whether the UFC will reschedule this matchup or go in different directions for both fighters. Given the fan interest in this pairing, I wouldn’t be surprised to see the promotion try to rebook it for a card in the near future, perhaps as early as next month.
For Gastelum, this represents yet another setback in a career that’s been marked by bad timing and unfortunate circumstances. After finally getting back in the win column, the 32-year-old now finds himself without an opponent and potentially facing another extended layoff.
Fan Reaction
As expected, fight fans have expressed their disappointment across social media, with many having looked forward to seeing how Pyfer would fare against his most established opponent to date. The timing is particularly brutal for traveling fans who made the journey to Mexico City partly to see this compelling matchup.
Have you been following Pyfer’s career? Were you looking forward to this fight? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Stay Tuned for Updates
I’ll be keeping a close eye on this situation and will update with any new information about Pyfer’s condition or potential rescheduling of the bout. In the meantime, the rest of UFC Mexico still promises plenty of action when it kicks off tonight.
Be sure to check back for full coverage of tonight’s fights and all your MMA news needs!
Source: UFC Official Announcement
