Joe Pyfer and Kelvin Gastelum are gearing up to meet again in the octagon, but this time under different circumstances. Originally, the two middleweights were set to face each other in Mexico City on March 29. However, a sudden illness struck Pyfer, forcing their bout to be canceled at the last minute. Just over a week later, it’s been confirmed: they will now clash at UFC 316, set for June 7 at Newark’s Prudential Center.
The new date was revealed by Pyfer’s head coach, John Marquez, during an appearance on MMA Today.
“Exciting news! MMA Today has the scoop,” Marquez excitedly declared. He filled us in on the rescheduled showdown between Joe Pyfer and Kelvin Gastelum, also shedding light on the severe illness that kept Pyfer from competing in Mexico.
Joe Pyfer has made it clear he’s not looking back fondly on his experience in Mexico. Blaming the country for his bout of food poisoning, Pyfer had some strong words to share. On his Instagram stories, he didn’t hold back, stating, “Mexico made me sick, and I’m done with that place.”
“I don’t care if people find it offensive. I’m never going back there,” Pyfer vented. “Despite doing everything by the book—sleeping in a tent and going through all the necessary prep—I still ended up ill.”
Some have speculated altitude sickness, but Pyfer dismissed these claims with frustration. “I’m no expert in altitude or elevation, but I did everything to acclimate—two months sleeping in a tent, on the floor—only to get sick? No way I’d ever fight there again. No chance.”
Adding to this chaotic tale, Marquez noted that Pyfer lost 12 pounds during his illness.
As they head into this anticipated matchup, Kelvin Gastelum is riding high after a decisive victory over Daniel Rodriguez last June. A contender for the interim title at one point, Gastelum has secured two wins out of his last three bouts, also besting Chris Curtis in 2023.
Pyfer, eager to make his comeback, boasts a 4-1 record in the UFC. He’s known for his explosive power, with an 85-second knockout of Marc-André Barriault at UFC 303 as one of his career highlights. Prior to that, he delivered back-to-back first-round knockouts against Alen Amedovski and Gerald Meerschaert and secured a submission win over Abdul Razak Alhassan.
With both fighters eager to prove themselves, UFC 316 promises plenty of fireworks when Joe Pyfer and Kelvin Gastelum finally meet on June 7.
