Pyfer defeats Gastelum by unanimous decision at UFC 316
Joe Pyfer earned his biggest career win by outlasting former interim title challenger Kelvin Gastelum in a unanimous decision at UFC 316 in Newark, moving closer to the middleweight top.
Key points
- Pyfer dropped Gastelum twice in round one with powerful right hooks
- Gastelum struggled to recover from early knockdowns but fought back in later rounds
- Judges scored the bout 29‑28, 29‑27, 30‑27 in favor of Pyfer
- Pyfer’s record improves to 5‑1 after the victory
- The win positions Pyfer nearer to a middleweight title contender spot
Joe Pyfer scored the biggest win of his UFC career by defeating Kelvin Gastelum via unanimous decision at UFC 316 in Newark on June, 2025. Pyfer set the tone early, dropping Gastelum twice in the first round with powerful right hooks and controlling much of the action with his striking. Despite Gastelum’s efforts to rally in the later rounds, Pyfer’s early dominance and consistent pressure secured him the judges’ favor, with scorecards reading 29-28, 29-27, and 30-27.
Gastelum, a former interim title challenger, struggled to recover from the early knockdowns but showed resilience as he tried to shift the momentum in the final round. However, Pyfer’s performance was enough to move him closer to a spot in the middleweight top, improving his UFC record to 5-1.
While some fans were underwhelmed by the lack of a finish after Pyfer’s explosive start, the victory marks an important step forward for the rising middleweight contender.
Your questions, answered
What were the judges’ scores in the Pyfer vs Gastelum fight?
The judges scored the bout 29‑28, 29‑27, and 30‑27 in favor of Pyfer.
How did Pyfer start the fight against Gastelum?
Pyfer dropped Gastelum twice in the first round with powerful right hooks and controlled much of the action with his striking.
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