Joe Pyfer thinks he’s on the cusp of breaking through into the larger public purview as he approaches a main event opportunity for the first time Saturday at UFC Fight Night 236.
In just his fourth octagon appearance, Pyfer (12-2 MMA, 3-0 UFC) will take on Jack Hermansson (23-8 MMA, 10-6 UFC) in a five-round middleweight bout at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas (ESPN+). He’s getting a headline opportunity quicker than the average fighter of his UFC experience, but in his mind, it’s all for good reason.
“I wouldn’t describe it as being thrusted into a spot,” Pyfer told Aaron Bronsteter of Sportsnet. “I think I’ve earned this spot. I’ve finished three fights, I’ve made sure I’m exciting, I say what I’m going to do, I go out there, and I back it up. I think I’m a draw – I’m becoming a draw, anyway. I think I’m a trending superstar, and I think if everything goes as I expect it to Saturday, I think I’m on that superstar level. On the way to that level.
