During “Dana White’s Contender Series” in 2022, the UFC president coined the catchphrase “Be Joe Pyfer.”
At UFC 287, Pyfer (11-2 MMA, 2-0 UFC) continued to show why fighters should take White’s advice. Pyfer took a step up in competition and finished longtime UFC middleweight Gerald Meerschaert (35-16 MMA, 10-8 UFC) with punches at 3:15 of Round 1. The event took place Saturday at Kaseya Center in Miami.
A right-left combination put Meerschaert to the canvas. Though he initially looked to be moving toward a return to the feet, Meerschaert flipped to his stomach and covered up. Pyfer pounded away as Meerschaert moved, but his body language was not sufficient enough for referee Marc Goddard, who waved off the fight.
Joe Pyfer had ’em grounded 💪 #UFC287 pic.twitter.com/9i3kBazh55
— ESPN MMA (@espnmma) April 9, 2023
Pyfer, 26, has won both of his UFC bouts by knockout. In September, Pyfer made his UFC debut at UFC Fight Night 210 and knocked out Alen Amedovski in 3:55. Meerschaert, 35, moved to 1-2 in his most recent three, but has won four of six.
The up-to-the-minute UFC 287 results include:
- Joe Pyfer def. Gerald Meerschaert via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 3:15
- Loopy Godinez def. Cynthia Calvillo via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
- Ignacio Bahamondes def. Trey Ogden via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Steve Garcia def. Shayilan Nuerdanbieke via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 0:36
- Sam Hughes def. Jaqueline Amorim via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 287.
