Joe Pyfer Turns Down UFC 335 Fight to Wait for Bo Nickal

Pyfer Declines December Fight

Joe Pyfer has confirmed that he will not face Anthony Hernandez in December. This decision comes after Bo Nickal announced a delay in his next fight, originally scheduled for December, due to injury recovery. The matchup between Pyfer and Nickal has now been rescheduled for February 2027.

UFC Offers Alternative Fight

The UFC offered Pyfer a chance to compete on the final numbered event of 2026 against Hernandez. However, Pyfer opted to wait for his scheduled bout with Nickal instead. He explained that he believes fighting Nickal, who has a higher profile, is a better strategic move for his career. Pyfer emphasized that while he respects Hernandez, he prefers to compete against fighters who are currently on winning streaks.

Current Streak and Rankings

Pyfer is currently on a four-fight winning streak, positioning him among the top contenders in the middleweight division. He acknowledged that he was surprised to receive the offer to fight Nickal, given their respective standings in the rankings. However, he feels that the middleweight division is stagnant, making it logical for him to pursue a fight with a more prominent name like Nickal.

Pyfer's next confirmed fight is against Bo Nickal in February 2027.