Joe Pyfer Refuses to Fight in Mexico Again

UFC middleweight Joe Pyfer has made it clear that he will not fight in Mexico again. Following some backlash for his comments, he reaffirmed his position, stating he will “stand firmly” by his words.

Originally from Vineland, New Jersey, Pyfer was set to face veteran Kelvin Gastelum in Mexico City on March 29. However, his experience while preparing for the event led him to label the country an “S-hole.”

“That’s why I said Mexico was a ***hole, but I’ll never go back,” he expressed.

Just hours before the event “ESPN’s UFC: Moreno vs. Erceg,” Pyfer revealed he had fallen ill and had to leave the scene. He stated he had become “super sick” and escaped from the event.

Pyfer explained the situation during a press conference on June 4, stating, “I cooked 14 of the 15 meals. I didn’t cook on the last day, and I got very sick for weeks.” He recounted losing 14 pounds in just seven hours and felt disappointed with fans who criticized his decision to withdraw from the fight.

“So Mexico is a ***hole, and I said I’d never go back. I wouldn’t fight there, but people were kind. It’s not the people; it’s just that I can’t understand why professional athletes fight there,” he shared.

His coach and teammates faced issues as well, being stopped by police who tried to extort them for cash, which they didn’t have. Pyfer questioned why fans took offense to his comments, saying, “Why challenge the idea that not every country is the best? Just look at the number of people crossing the border.”

After the unanimous decision victory over Gastelum at UFC 316 in New Jersey, Pyfer somewhat softened his comments during a post-fight press conference. He acknowledged that his experience in Mexico wasn’t positive, clarifying that his remarks were not aimed at Mexican culture or people but rather about fighting in the country itself.

“I should have been kinder in how I expressed it, but I still stand firm; I will never fight there again,” he concluded.

Former UFC fighter TJ Laramie commented on the challenges of preparing for fights abroad, noting, “The amenities can be scarce. It’s not easy depending on where you are.” He recalled a personal experience in Japan where he was asked to leave the sauna solely because of his tattoo.

As for the UFC’s parent company, TKO Group Holdings, they haven’t responded regarding any potential changes to safety protocols in Mexico or future event plans there.