Joseph Pyfer, with a record of 12 wins and 2 losses, secured an impressive victory as he became the first fighter to submit Abdul Razak Alhassan (12-6) in the co-main event of UFC Fight Night 229 on October 7. Pyfer’s performance in this fight was commendable, as he outperformed Alhassan on foot in the first round, leading up to a thrilling end in the second round. He skillfully submitted Alhassan with an arm-triangle at just over two minutes into the second round, putting his technical brilliance on full display.
In the post-fight interview, Pyfer, fondly known as “Bodybagz,” revealed interesting insights about his winning move. He said that the arm-triangle is a move that he frequently employs and that he could see his victory around the corner the moment Alhassan’s coach instructed him to let go of the trapped arm. This inside information shows the level of strategic understanding Pyfer carries into the ring, along with his physical prowess.
As he continued being candid in the interview, Pyfer expressed his thoughts on his current contract with the Ultimate Fighting Championship. He had earlier asked for “real money” before moving forward with fights against ranked opponents. The 27-year-old mixed martial artist clarified that he does not have a problem with his current contract, but given that he has had three consecutive stoppage wins in all his matches, he believes that it’s time to renegotiate the terms. He stressed that this was not said in a disrespectful manner, but as a fighter, if he is to take on the ‘baddest guys in the world,’ he ought to be compensated in a way that allows him to invest in his future. This sentiment was later echoed by Dana White, who agreed with Pyfer’s comments regarding a contract renewal during the post-fight press conference.