Joe Pyfer vows to never revisit 's***hole' Mexico after last minute UFC pullout

Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

UFC middleweight Joe Pyfer has vowed never to return to Mexico following a pre-fight illness on Saturday.

'Bodybagz' withdrew from his fight with Kelvin Gastelum just hours before the event broadcast, pulling one of the most enticing fights from the card.

A day later, Pyfer revealed food poisoning as the likely culprit before leaving a scathing critique of Mexico.

Joe Pyfer (blue gloves) celebrates defeating Gerald Meerschaert (red gloves) during UFC 287 at Miami-Dade Arena. | Rich Storry-Imagn Images

'Not going back' ... Joe Pyfer slams Mexico after last-minute withdrawal

Taking to Instagram Stories, Pyfer explained his last-minute cancellation.

"Went to dinner [and] had some food at a place that was supposedly trusted" Pyfer said. "And yeah, a couple hours later, I had the runs.

"I think I s*** at least ten, 11 times. I went from I think 209 lbs [to 194 lbs] the morning of with a puddle I was sleeping in. [I had] fever, nausea. Vomit, [stomach pain], and the doctor... didn't find it smart to fight like that. ... Trust me, I am upset as well."

Pyfer could have ended it here, but he went on to write off any return plans to Mexico.

"[...] I don't care if it's offensive to you, I will never go back to that country. ... I did all this work to still get sick. ... If that's what altitude and elevation is, f*** that country. I will never fight there again. s***hole, not going back. Don't care if that's offensive to you. You're not the one fighting. Suck my balls. Literally."

Joe Pyfer won't go back to Mexico. pic.twitter.com/7XdSCj802p

— Jed I. Goodman © (@jedigoodman) March 30, 2025

Pyfer hasn't fought since June last year. He graduated Dana White's Contender Series and was fast-tracked to a Fight Night main event in February 2024, which he lost.

The main card spot on UFC Mexico City against a big name in Gastelum was a good chance to rebound from that loss.

Whether his late-notice withdrawal leaves him in good stead with the UFC remains to be seen.

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