TLDR
- Joe Pyfer faces Israel Adesanya in the UFC Seattle main event on Saturday night at 8 p.m. ET
- Pyfer had a life-changing dream six weeks ago that led to a faith resurgence and helped him address mental health struggles
- Fighting has dropped from Pyfer’s top priority to fourth or fifth place, but he insists he will still be vicious
- Pyfer defends Adesanya’s three-fight losing streak, noting he has only lost to the top three middleweights in the world
- Pyfer believes he is getting a better version of himself despite the personal transformation before his biggest fight
Sources: CBS Sports | BJ Penn
Joe Pyfer says he’s disgusted with the person he used to be, but his newfound inner peace won’t prevent him from hurting Israel Adesanya on Saturday night. The 29-year-old middleweight faces the former UFC champion in the main event of UFC Fight Night in Seattle.
Six weeks ago, Pyfer had a dream that changed his life. He came face-to-face with himself and felt ashamed of what he saw.
In the dream, Pyfer also saw a vision of the life he could build with his soon-to-be wife and future children. The moment helped him work through years of mental health struggles including suicidal thoughts.
“Everything I’ve gone through, everything I’ve survived, all the mental health issues of suicide and this other crap that I’ve gone through, I’m still here, and I get to do this,” Pyfer told CBS Sports. “Win or lose, I’m winning.”
Pyfer, nicknamed “Bodybagz,” has built his career on channeling pain and aggression into his fighting style. UFC president Dana White once coined the phrase “Be Joe Pyfer” to describe his ferocious approach.
UFC middleweight Joe Pyfer reveals finding God and becoming a Christian changed his life
“I’ve had a complete 360 change as far as my faith. I had an out of body experience where I was able to see myself in a different light. I want marriage and God at the center of my life” pic.twitter.com/43iegT1TTZ
— FULL SEND MMA (@full_send_mma) March 24, 2026
Fighting Now Fourth or Fifth Priority
Pyfer admits that fighting used to be everything to him. After his recent faith resurgence, he says it has dropped to his fourth or fifth priority.
“Fighting used to be all or nothing for me,” Pyfer said. “After my faith resurgence, it’s probably dropped to four or five.”
Despite the shift in priorities, Pyfer insists he will still be vicious on Saturday night. He says fighting is no longer the endgame but a means to build a future with his family.
“I’m still a vicious competitor. My nature is vicious,” Pyfer said. “It’s all I’ve known. I’ve done this since I was four-and-a-half.”
Pyfer acknowledged that in the past, anxiety often overwhelmed him during fight week. He sometimes felt glued to his bed and questioned why he was fighting.
“To say that I don’t want to go out there and hurt this man, I would be a liar,” Pyfer said about facing Adesanya. “He’s trying to take something away from me.”
Pyfer Shows Respect for Adesanya Despite Losses
Adesanya enters the fight on a three-fight losing streak, but Pyfer believes he deserves more credit than critics are giving him. The former champion has lost his last three fights to top contenders Nassourdine Imavov, Dricus Du Plessis, and Sean Strickland.
“I think it’s literally just him fighting top-notch talent, right?” Pyfer told MMA Junkie. “All three of his losses of late have been by guys that are literally above him.”
Pyfer pointed out that Adesanya lost to the fighters currently ranked one, two, and three in the middleweight division. He thinks people should give the former champion more grace.
“It’s not like he lost to some Joe Blow who just got in the UFC,” Pyfer said. “He’s losing to guys that are all at the top of the food chain, so give the guy some grace.”
Adesanya is considered the second-best middleweight in UFC history. He had a successful championship reign before his recent struggles against elite competition.
“I still think he’s one of the best in the world,” Pyfer said. “I think he’s going to show up amazing, and I’m going to show up amazing, and we’re going to have a hell of a fight.”
The UFC Seattle main event is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Saturday and will stream on Paramount+. Both fighters are looking to prove themselves in what represents a crossroads bout for their careers.
