Joe Pyfer is riding a wave of momentum after his statement win over former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya, and now he’s weighing in on one of the division’s most anticipated matchups.
Appearing on Jorge Masvidal’s Death Row MMA podcast this week, Pyfer and “Gamebred” to break down the upcoming UFC middleweight title fight between Khamzat Chimaev and Sean Strickland, scheduled for UFC 328 in May in Newark, New Jersey.
Pyfer made it clear early on where his allegiance lies.
“I want Sean Strickland to win,” Pyfer said. “I don't like the inactivity of Khamzat. I got nothing bad to say about the man, but it's just, you know, I think I'd rather see somebody with the (American) flag holding that belt.”
Masvidal echoed that sentiment, emphasizing his preference for striking-heavy styles over grinding wrestling approaches.
“Especially a striker,” Masvidal said. “You know, none of that crotch sniffing. Just sit there and sniff crotch. And you have a chance to strike, but you're just holding a guy down because you're so scared they're going to get away.”
Pyfer, who showcased his own grappling in the win over Adesanya, agreed, but drew a distinction in how he believes wrestling should be used.
“Yeah, and that's one thing I don't want to do with my wrestling either,” Pyfer said. “I took (Adesanya) down, but I went right to work.”
Masvidal expanded on that point, arguing that effective grappling must lead to damage or advancement.
“Right to work. You've got to use it, too, because you've been wrestling your whole life,” Masvidal said. “It's never a crotch sniffing thing if you're using it to either advance your position, get a submission, or strike. But you know what I mean? When you're just like at a halfway position, you guys are just holding on for dear life, you're not advancing. You're not causing damage. And all you're doing is literally holding.”
Masvidal also pointed to Strickland’s experience and defensive grappling as a key factor in the matchup, suggesting he may present a unique challenge for Chimaev.
“What I do know about Strickland personally is that I've been in the room with him a couple times when he's going with good wrestlers himself,” Masvidal said. “And he has a very good understanding of an overhook, of using the fence to get back to his feet.”
“He has very good hips. He's not easy to take down, but he's even harder to hold down. I think this is going to be the first guy that actually challenges Chimaev from that rope. They can wrestle back into him.”
Masvidal added that even if Chimaev secures takedowns, maintaining control could prove difficult.
“Even if he gets a takedown, he's not just going to get to catch his breath now. He's going to get the takedown. He's going to have to work even harder to hold the guy down like Strickland,” he said. “Because I've seen Strickland with all Americans. With national champions in the room. And just be able to get away from it.”
According to Masvidal, Strickland’s conditioning and persistence could ultimately tilt the fight in his favor.
“He has a good work ethic. He doesn't get tired. And he's just constantly putting up attempts to get back up,” Masvidal said. “And I see him getting away from a lot of good guys. And he has that American fundamental wrestling where... you know, it's collegiate style.”
“If you don't get away, you don't get away. Guys are going to hold you down indefinitely. Sean knows how to get away, man. I got my money on Sean on this one, bro.”
