Undefeated UFC middleweight prospect Joe Pyfer turned down a bout against top 15 ranked Nassourdine Imavov, citing it being too soon, lingering injuries, and insufficient pay for fighting higher-ranked opponents.
Joe Pyfer has been making waves in his UFC career, impressing fans with his perfect 2-0 record and back-to-back first-round knockouts since signing with the promotion in 2022. At UFC 287, Pyfer caught the attention of many as he finished Gerald Meerschaert, the division’s all-time submission leader. This victory solidified his place as one of the most intriguing up-and-coming talents in the middleweight division. The question now is when Pyfer will start facing fighters with numbers next to their names in the UFC rankings.
Although many young fighters may be eager to climb the ranks quickly, Pyfer, a Pennsylvania native, is in no hurry. He revealed that he turned down a recent offer to fight against top 15 ranked middleweight Nassourdine Imavov, citing that it was “too soon.” Pyfer said, “What do I need to rush for? I don’t need to rush. Call me a b****, call me a p****, call me whatever. I respect the man.” Imavov holds a 4-2 record with the promotion and is currently scheduled to face fellow top 15 middleweight Chris Curtis at UFC 289 on June 10.
Pyfer’s decision to turn down the fight was influenced by several factors, such as lingering injuries from his previous fight camp and inadequate time to cut weight in a healthy manner. Additionally, Pyfer stressed the importance of being compensated fairly for taking on high-ranked opponents. He explained, “I’m not making beaucoup dollars, so that’s why I don’t want anybody in the top 15. I’m not stupid. I’m not going to fight the toughest guys of my career without that part of it matching. I’m not dumb.”
Joe Pyfer’s story is an inspiring one, as he overcame a troubled childhood, homelessness, and a severe arm injury before finding success in the UFC. Pyfer remains motivated and eager to continue climbing the ranks, but he’s also focused on taking his time and making smart decisions. “I’m still a nobody in the UFC, so I’ve got to do some work,” Pyfer said. “I’m being humble to the public because the public chews people apart in a lot of ways … [but] in my head, I’ve always known I was going to be here.”