Although the relationship between Ultimate and Mexico is getting closer, the organization will not be able to count on one of its middleweights (up to 83,9 kg) in a return to the country. Joe Pyfer , who fell ill shortly before the event last Saturday (29) and withdrew from the fight with Kelvin Gastelum , strongly criticized the location, and categorically stated that he has no intention of returning to Mexican soil to compete.
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In a statement posted to his personal Instagram stories , Pyfer recounted the events that led him to withdraw from the fight. The fighter had a stomach infection, and he believes the health problem was caused by a meal he ate hours after the weigh-in.
“I went to dinner, I had something to eat at a place that was supposed to be reputable, and yeah – a few hours later, I had diarrhea. I think I went to the bathroom at least ten, 11 times. I went from I think 94,8 pounds, something like that, while I was still hydrating, to 88 pounds in the morning,” he said.
On IG stories Joe Pyfer blames a Team Dinner for his food poisoning. Doesn't mention if anyone else fell ill. Then, par for the course and with a good ol' “I don't care if it's offensive” goes to be racist and call the country a shithole. (Cont.) pic.twitter.com/yXQ3kG48yz
— Rodrigo Del Campo González (@RodDelCampo) March 30, 2025
Despite it being a difficult decision, the American said he prioritized his health and thus, he and his doctor came to the conclusion that the best choice would be to abandon the fight.
“(I had) fever, nausea, obviously. Vomiting, excruciating stomach pain, and the doctor, like me, didn’t think it was smart to fight like that. And I know that’s not what everyone wants, but I have to take care of myself and my health, and what’s best for me. Trust me, I’m upset too,” he continued.
The fighter strongly criticized Mexico
Joe Pyfer in victory at UFC. Photo: Reproduction.
Pyfer did not hold back in his criticism of the country. The fighter ruled out the possibility of returning to Mexico in the future and even used derogatory terms to offend the country.
“I don’t care if it’s offensive to you, I’m never going back to that country. I did everything right. I slept in a tent. I did all this work to still get sick. Some people are saying it wasn’t the food, saying I got altitude sickness. I’m not a geographical scientist, but I was told that as long as I acclimatized, which I did for two months, slept in a tent on the ground – you know, I did everything I could to prepare. If that’s what altitude and elevation is, f*ck that country. I’m never fighting there again. Sh*thole. I’m not going back,” he concluded.
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