Joe Pyfer has apologized to fans in his first statement since his UFC Mexico City fight was cancelled at short notice.
The popular fighter was scheduled to face Kelvin Gastelum, a former title contender, in the biggest challenge of his career. Both fighters successfully made weight the day before, but the UFC announced on the day of the event that Pyfer was forced to withdraw due to illness.
Fans expressed their disappointment at the cancellation, with many considering it one of the most anticipated fights on the card. The main card is now reduced to one less fight, potentially causing some adjustments to the broadcast schedule.
Joe Pyfer Addresses UFC Mexico City Cancellation
On the afternoon of the event, just hours before it began, the UFC announced Joe Pyfer`s withdrawal from his fight against Kelvin Gastelum at UFC Mexico City due to illness. This matchup was highly anticipated, featuring two powerful and exciting fighters.
A brief announcement on the UFC X page stated: “Due to illness, Joe Pyfer has been removed from his middleweight bout with Kelvin Gastelum. Consequently, this bout has been cancelled from today’s event.”
“Just want to say my heart is broken that I couldn’t fight today,” Pyfer shared on his Instagram stories. “I got super sick, and hopefully we can reschedule this fight in a few weeks. Unfortunately, this is a risk of traveling internationally. My apologies, everyone. We’ll be back.”
Kelvin Gastelum`s Anticipated UFC Comeback Disrupted
Kelvin Gastelum is likely the most disappointed person tonight, as he was aiming for a significant career resurgence. His future was uncertain after his previous fight against Daniel Rodriguez, where he struggled to make welterweight.
He ultimately competed at a slightly heavier middleweight limit and won that fight. However, some felt Daniel Rodriguez was unfairly disadvantaged because Gastelum didn`t have to cut weight while Rodriguez did.
That victory followed a submission loss to Sean Brady in his welterweight return, marking a 2-6 record since 2018. A win against Pyfer at middleweight would have significantly boosted his ranking and potential for title contention.
