Rising middleweight contender Joe Pyfer is already looking ahead after the biggest victory of his career, sharing his thoughts on the upcoming title clash between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland.
Fresh off a statement win over former champion Israel Adesanya in the main event at UFC Seattle, Pyfer (16-3 MMA, 7-1 UFC) spoke with Full Mount MMA to preview the highly anticipated middleweight title bout scheduled for UFC 328 on May 9 in Newark, New Jersey.
“I’m excited to see it,” Pyfer said. “I think these guys got true beef. I think Sean Strickland’s a good fighter. I think Khamzat’s an excellent wrestler and a good fighter. He’s got aura about him. He’s fun to watch. Yeah, I think I’m really excited for that.”
The matchup pits Strickland’s pressure-heavy striking against Chimaev’s dominant grappling, a contrast Pyfer believes will define the fight early.
“I do have Sean Strickland in my heart winning,” Pyfer said. “I don’t know if he’ll win because, you know, Khamzat, it’s a different level of wrestling, but I think Sean can kind of survive the storm if he doesn’t get submitted in the first round, obviously. I think he can win that fight.”
Pyfer also pointed to Strickland’s defensive grappling as a potential difference-maker, suggesting it may be stronger than that of current champion Dricus du Plessis.
“I think he’s got better wrestling than DDP does,” Pyfer added. “I think it’s going to be a really good fight, man. They’re two of the best for a reason. I’m excited for that. I think it’s a good fight.”
