UFC’s return to Mexico loses key Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer scrap HOURS before event

Kelvin Gastelum's UFC Mexico City appearance loses key UFC 185-pound matchup last-second due to Joe Pyfer having unknown illness.

UFC’s return to Mexico loses key Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer scrap HOURS before event

Joe Pyfer out of UFC Mexico, bout canceled (Source: IMAGO)

Kelvin Gastelum and Joe Pyfer were due to meet tonight at UFC Mexico. However, mere hours before, Pyfer pulled out of the UFC on ESPN 64 main card at Arena CDMX in Mexico City. It has come to be that he had incurred some sudden illness, the promotion announced.

After multiple failed weight bids at welterweight and pullout scares, all eyes were on Gastelum. The Team Fight Ready fighter had fumbled the cut against Donald Cerrone at UFC 205, and yet again on UFC Fight Night 44. Subsequently, that’s only the tip of the iceberg. Yet, both fighters had made weight during Friday’s weigh-ins for their UFC Mexico bout. In a serious twist of fate, it’s Joe Pyfer who had to bow out this time.

The featured bout was to be part of the main card this Saturday. Despite some initial flak, this was a notable matchup for both. At a stout 13-9 UFC, Kelvin Gastelum had decided to stay put at the 185-pound mark. His decision victory over Daniel Rodriguez at UFC on ABC 6 on June 22 put him on a good footing, and he meant to build a streak from it.

Pyfer’s slight pacing and a feeble output and gas tank were under question. But it was a serious matchup and a serious opportunity. The Team Marquez MMA fight product bagged his third POTN bonus recently vs. Marc-Andre Barriault. He wanted to play spoiler for Gastelum’s lofty dreams. However, those aspirations will have to null out for now.

The fallout to UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Erceg pullout

Gastelum and Pyfer were to make their wake at approximately 8:45 p.m. ET. for their key middleweight bout. UFC Fight Night: Moreno vs. Erceg was to be a big thing for Joe Pyfer and Kelvin Gastelum. ‘Bodybagz’ might not tout the same caliber as his teammate Sean Brady. But after the latter’s UFC Fight Night 255 headliner win, his teammate too was hoping for a good performance.

Joe Pyfer will have to wait his queue for a Kelvin Gastelum matchup
Joe Pyfer will have to wait his queue for a Kelvin Gastelum matchup (Source: X)

Pyfer is a bona fide scrambler and meant to prove it. The red-hot Pyfer is proficient in submissions grappling, and this was to be his stiffest test. That’s because the rival is a seasoned fighter and TUF alum. One of Gastelum’s scrap even made it to the HOF win recently.

To that end, he wasn’t buying into Kelvin Gastelum’s dreams of a ‘title run’ at 185 narrative and even wanted to be the first one to shut his lights out. In his tenure so far, Gastelum hasn’t faced a loss in the way of a knockout stoppage. Per FanDuel Sportsbooks, Pyfer had even propped as a -320 fave for UFC Mexico odds.

However, due to a last-minute illness (which probably could be credited to extreme cuts or some other rare wear and tear), he now takes a step back. Pyfer has the potential of filling out the main card when he returns. But against whom remains a big question. A southpaw, feet-first Gastelum was good pickings, per the oddsmakers. The next bet might not be so favorable.

Larga vida a Mexico! Card goes on with adjustments

There’s no word yet on whether Joe Pyfer vs. Kelvin Gastelum will get a rebooking in the near future. However, the UFC Mexico card goes on for now. This event holds much more gravitas after the agenda-push from the second annual Noche PPV. It has eight native fighters repping Mexico in a pure skills test.

UFC Mexico gets a shuffle
UFC Mexico gets a shuffle (Source: X)

One man’s worries also mean another man’s gains. As a result of the pullout, Edgar Chairez and CJ Vergara have been elevated to the main card (ESPN2/ESPN+, 7 p.m. ET) lineup. The order now goes:

— Brandon Moreno vs. Steve Erceg in an all-important headliner
— Drew Dober vs. Manuel Torres, next
— Vince Morales vs. the interesting Raul Rosas Jr.
— David Martinez vs. Saimon Oliveira; and
— Kevin Borjas vs. Ronaldo Rodriguez

Related: 9.2 million populated city in Mexico ‘recognized’ UFC star Steve Erceg more than his home country