He’s overcome a number of hardships in his private life, however 27-year-old Joe “Bodybagz” Pyfer has courageously overcome all that to get into the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) by means of the Dana White Contender Series in 2022.
As a toddler, Pyfer, born in New Jersey in 1996, used to face abuse from his father, and sometimes used to step out of home and spend his time on park benches, and even ran away from his home on the age of 16. He would, nonetheless, be rescued by UFC president Dana White, who helped him find lodging and would pay a yr’s hire for him.
Pyfer made his Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) debut in Philadelphia in 2018, and in 2020, he would go on to participate in UFC. However, he would endure a career-threatening arm harm throughout a battle towards Dustin Stoltzfus. But a yr later, in December 2021, Pyfer went onto make his return in a battle towards Austin Trotman, and is now on a five-match unbeaten run.
Pyfer subsequent faces eighth-ranked Jack Hermansson within the UFC Main Card battle on Saturday evening at UFC 86 in Las Vegas. Ahead of the battle, the 27-year-old caught up with Firstpost, discussing his subsequent opponent, his profession to this point and extra.
Excerpts:
You’ve been unbeaten in 5 bouts going into the battle towards Jack Hermansson. Do you are feeling there’s any added stress going into this battle, particularly provided that that is your first important card battle?
No, it’s a battle. It doesn’t matter the place they put you on the cardboard. The battle wouldn’t be any completely different if we have been opening of the cardboard or if we have been the final on the cardboard like we’re. It doesn’t matter to me, man. The stress isn’t in the place I’m situated on a card. I don’t give attention to that stuff. Super straightforward for me.
Talk us by means of the Dana White Contender Series. How difficult was that have and did you may have any expectations of moving into the UFC?
I imply, yeah, in fact. Yeah, that was my expectation to win my Contender Series and get within the UFC and do what I’ve achieved. Absolutely. I feel the Contender Series is a wholesome factor for a bunch of young and upcoming fighters that get an opportunity to earn and showcase their expertise and earn a possible shot at a UFC contract.
How has your preparation been forward of the Jack Hermansson battle? Has it been any completely different from the earlier fights?
Absolutely. Each camp is completely different per fighter. Jack is completely different than Abdul, Jack is completely different than Gerald Meerschaert. Jack is completely different than my debut opponent. Yeah, every battle is exclusive, every battle is completely different. Each fighter brings a special set of expertise. So in fact the coaching’s been completely different, however the depth has been, you recognize, identical factor. It’s all the time been. Nothing has been completely different other than the method and sport plan.
What are you focussing on forward of your bout towards Hermansson?
Jack’s a, you recognize, an OK grappler, an OK wrestler and a OK striker. Not actually nice in anyplace specific. But you recognize, he’s, he’s a tricky man. He’s a canine. He’s, he’s fought a few of the finest. He’s misplaced to a few of the finest. So yeah, he’s going to be nice. He’s going to wish to attempt to make it a canine battle and I’m there for it.
Hermannsson is extra skilled than you within the UFC. Does that have an effect on you in any approach?
Besides the variety of bouts, I’ve been on this sport for 23 years. This goes to be my fifteenth skilled battle at a sure level. A battle’s a battle. And yeah, I feel the one individuals which can be involved about expertise are you guys and the media and and I perceive that. You know, like he’s been there for some time. He’s confirmed himself and I’m the brand new child and all people desires to see what I can do. But each person that has ever been in my state of affairs that has grow to be an ideal or you recognize, occurring to be a champion has all the time been in my actual position, been advised that their their expertise wasn’t on their facet or you recognize, regardless of the case could also be. So yeah, positive you can say he’s acquired expertise completely. But so do I. And I’ve 23 years of expertise within the sport round a few of the finest within the sport.
How vital is that this battle for you so far as your UFC profession is worried?
Yeah, clearly that is tremendous vital and you recognize, it’s a milestone marker in my profession to have the ability to have a important occasion and have a win, you recognize, after which break into the highest ten after which begin, you recognize, pushing in direction of the title kind of deal. So it’s an enormous marker.
Do you ever take into consideration rankings earlier than a battle? Does that considered rankings ever get in your thoughts?
No, I don’t. I don’t actually suppose they’re that legit as it’s. And I feel lots of people which can be within the high ten cover behind the truth that they’re behind a quantity and so they suppose it offers them an additional talent level or one thing. But it doesn’t matter if I’m unranked or if he was unranked, or if he’s primary or I’m #40. Number subsequent to your title doesn’t make you unbeatable, and it doesn’t provide you with an additional superpower.
You suffered a dislocated arm throughout the Dana White Contender Series a number of years again. How horrific was that and the way did you get well from it?
Like, clearly, if anyone is aware of something about me so far as my profession, it was a devastating harm. It set me out for almost 2 years. And yeah, I imply, I misplaced mobility. I had two main surgical procedures. I had a whole lot of psychological well being issues that occurred with it. So yeah, I imply, it was devastating.
Watch UFC Fight Night: Hermansson vs. Pyfer on eleventh 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).
 debut in Philadelphia in 2018, and in 2020, he would go to take part in the UFC.){kind=link}