Joe “Bodybagz” Pyfer returns to The Contender Series for his next fight
This past weekend, “Korean Thunder” Ryan Kim Cafaro and I were stationed at the commentators table to call the action on back-to-back shows at Art of War Cage Fighting 22 and 23 at Philadelphia’s Live Casino and Hotel. In addition to some great action in Mike Bicking’s cage, we received some fight news as AOW alumnus, Joe “Bodybagz” Pyfer sat in with us for a few fights.
I kind of knew through the grapevine that Pyfer had an upcoming fight but wasn’t sure if he was allowed to speak on it. When I asked him about his future, he made the announcement himself…
“It looks like July 26th on The Contender Series I will be fighting again. Right now, my opponent is Ozzy Diaz (7-1), but you know in this business how things change. July is still a few months away and I’m preparing to get in there and beat whoever is in front of me.”
‘Bodybagz’ Pyfer fought under the AOW banner three times as an amateur and three times as a pro and was the Ring of Combat middleweight champion. He was on hand to support several teammates from his home gym at Daniel Gracie Philadelphia.
Pyfer has fought to an 8-2 record and had a chance to earn a UFC contract back in August of 2020 as he received an invitation from Dana White to go to work in the Octagon on The Contender Series. Pyfer got off to a strong start in round one against Dustin Stoltzfus, but as he tried to brace himself while defending a takedown attempt, he dislocated his elbow and suffered the first major injury of his career. He was very disappointed of course, but Pyfer was only 23 years old and knew he had time to heal up and return to keep chasing his dreams.
Now 25, Joe Pyfer is even more focused after he returned in December and won with a vicious right hook over Austin Trotman at CFFC 104. Pyfer says he is 100% healthy and in a good place mentally as he trains with a deep, talented team that has multiple other UFC fighters in the room like Andre Petroski, Pat Sabatini, and Jeremiah Wells. Philly MMA has been racking up win after win as the City of Brotherly Love has made a huge impact in the big show. ‘Bodybagz’ is looking to join the party.
