LAS VEGAS, NEVADA – MARCH 08: UFC CEO Dana White holds a press conference after the UFC 313 event at … More
Joe Pyfer’s fight with Kelvin Gastelum is officially off the UFC Mexico card.
The middleweight matchup was slated for the main card at Arena CDMX in Mexico City but was canceled due to an illness affecting Pyfer. He confirmed the information on his Instagram story.
UFC officials confirmed the news and with no fighter on stabndby, there was no room to replace Pyfer.
Pyfer had entered fight week with some momentum, having scored a KO win over Marc-André Barriault in June 2024. He was hoping to start a win streak, but the illness kept him out of action.
The two men could be set to reschedule their fight for an upcoming card. If there is a spot available on a card over the next 60 days, I’d expect to see Pyfer-Gastelum added to that event.
It’s the kind of fight that has some juice for just about any card—even a pay-per-view.
Kelvin Gastelum Might Be the Biggest Loser in this Situation
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – MARCH 28: Kelvin Gastelum poses on the scale during the UFC Fight Night … More
Gastelum has recently committed to staying at middleweight, which was a major lift off his back, and he has struggled to make welterweight in his career. Like Pyfer, he won his last fight, a unanimous decision win over Daniel Rodriguez in June 2024.
The fight postponement could potentially be a major disruption for Gastelum as he attempts to embark on what figures to be his final opportunity to make a run at a UFC championship.
What This Means for UFC Mexico
MEXICO CITY, MEXICO – MARCH 28: Brandon Moreno of Mexico poses on the scale during the UFC Fight … More
Because Pyfer-Gastelum was set to be a main card fight, the UFC was forced to make an adjustment. In response, the promotion has elevated the fight between José Daniel Medina and Ateba Gautier to the featured prelim. Edgar Chairez vs. C.J. Vergara was elevated to the main card.
The event still features a strong headliner: a flyweight battle between Brandon Moreno and Steve Erceg. There are huge stakes involved with the main event, as the loser could find themselves a long ways away from challenging for a title at 125 pounds.
The co-main event between Manuel Torres and Drew Dober has some Fight of the Night potential. Gautier and David Martinez are also two hot prospects making their main roster debuts, so their fights are also intriguing. With those fights still on the card, and with a spirited Mexican crowd in attendance, there should be more than enough action for fans looking to tune in.
Still, the absence of the Gastelum-Pyfer fight will be felt.
Here is the updated UFC Mexico card.
UFC Mexico Main Card
- Flyweight: Brandon Moreno vs. Steve Erceg
- Lightweight: Manuel Torres vs. Drew Dober
- Middleweight: Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer – Cancelled
- Bantamweight: Raul Rosas Jr. vs. Vince Morales
- Bantamweight: David MartÃnez vs. Saimon Oliveira
- Flyweight: Ronaldo RodrÃguez vs. Kevin Borjas
- Flyweight: Edgar Chairez vs. C.J. Vergara
UFC Mexico Preliminary Card
- Middleweight: José Daniel Medina vs. Ateba Abega Gautier
- Featherweight: Christian Rodriguez vs. Melquizael Costa
- Strawweight: Loopy Godinez vs. Julia Polastri
- Lightweight: Rafa GarcÃa vs. Vinc Pichel
- Featherweight: Jamall Emmers vs. Gabriel Miranda
- Lightweight: MarQuel Mederos vs. Austin Hubbard
Follow along with the results of the event throughout the evening here.
