After a date in Mexico collapsed when Joe Pyfer fell ill, his fight with Kelvin Gastelum finally arrived at UFC 316, part of the Newark-based event’s main card on Saturday night.
Pyfer entered off a win over Marc-Andre Barriault, while TUF winner Gastelum had secured a victory nearly a year ago, against Daniel Rodriguez, in his most recent action.
Gastelum came out out with immediate pressure but ran into a massive shot from Pyfer. Stumbling to the ground Gastelum tried to survive as Pyfer threw wild overhand rights looking to end the fight with one punch. Gastelum was able to recover circled away from the power right hand of Pyfer. With forty-five seconds left in the round Pyfer landed a flashing head kick that stunned Gastelum. Following up with a right hand that bounced of temple of Gastelum, Pyfer scored his second knockdown of the round. After five minutes the first round could have potentially been scored 10-8 in favor of Joe Pyfer.
To start round two Gastelum landed a jab to the body and a left straight to the head. Pyfer plotted forward looking to hand land a big right hand, stinging Gastelum again two minutes into the round. Gastelum was able to stay out of danger for the next few minutes and got inside on Pyfer to land a combination of his own in the final minute. Pyfer had out landed Gastelum significantly through two minutes, and the former title challenger needed a finish to win this contest.
In the begining of the third round Pyfer came out controlling the center of the cage, as Gastelum circled away from his right hand. Midway through the round Gastelum landed a crisp straight left the got the attention of Pyfer. Joe was able to secure a takedown against the cage moments later, but Gastelum returned to his feet. Another left hand from Gastelum landed with a minute remaining in the round. In a very competitive third round Kelvin was starting to walk down the young prospect from Philadelphia.
Heading to the judges scorecards the UFC Commentary team seemed to be eluding to a Gastelum comeback, but the all three judges scored the contest for Pyfer unanimously (30-27, 29-27, 29-28).
Official Result: Joe Pyfer def. Kelvin Gastelum via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-27, 30-27)
