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Joe Pyfer set to face Sean Strickland’s former rival on Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira 2 undercard

Originally posted on Bloody Elbow | By Curtis Calhoun | Last updated Aug 5, 2025 12:46 AM ET

UFC middleweight star Joe Pyfer adds a big boost to the UFC 320 undercard.

Dana White’s Contender Series alum Joe Pyfer has bounced back well since suffering his first UFC defeat to Jack Hermansson in February 2024. Pyfer knocked out Marc-Andre Barriault before outpointing Kelvin Gastelum via unanimous decision at UFC 316.

Pyfer’s win over Gastelum at UFC 316 rubbed many fans the wrong way, after a lackluster showing from both fighters in the Octagon. Joe Rogan was particularly critical of Pyfer’s performance, after questioning why Pyfer wasn’t more aggressive after earning an early knockdown.

Despite Pyfer’s up-and-down run inside the Octagon, the UFC star will face another surging contender for his next fight on the UFC 320 undercard.

Joe Pyfer faces another dangerous finisher at UFC 320

The UFC announced on Monday that Pyfer will face Abus Magomedov in a middleweight bout at UFC 320 on October 4th. Pyfer vs. Magomedov adds to a stacked card at UFC 320, headlined by Magomed Ankalaev vs. Alex Pereira 2.

Magomedov returns to the Octagon after an impressive win over Michel Pereira in April. He’s bounced back with three consecutive wins since suffering back-to-back losses to Caio Borralho and Sean Strickland.

For Pyfer, it’s another shot at earning a middleweight Top 15 spot as he prepares to face Magomedov. As of this writing, Magomedov is listed at No. 14 on the UFC’s latest middleweight rankings.

Pyfer got off to a hot start to his UFC tenure with three consecutive finishes over Alen Amedovski, Gerald Meerschaert, and Abdul Razak Alhassan. The loss to Hermansson snapped a five-fight winning streak.

The UFC also announced just weeks ago that UFC bantamweight champion Merab Dvalishvili will return in the UFC 320 co-main event against Cory Sandhagen. Meanwhile, one of the card’s headliners garnered high praise from one of the greatest combat sports minds.

Alex Pereira praised by legendary boxing analyst Teddy Atlas ahead of UFC 320

Legendary boxing trainer Teddy Atlas claimed Pereira has ‘the best left hook’ in the UFC, high praise from someone who trained the likes of Mike Tyson and Tim Bradley. Pereira has utilized the left hook to earn wild knockouts over Jamahal Hill, Jiri Prochazka, and Strickland.

Pereira will seek revenge against the UFC light heavyweight champion Ankalaev in the UFC 320 main event. Just months ago, Pereira suffered his first light heavyweight loss to Ankalaev, and several months of uncertainty regarding a rematch followed.

Pereira’s light heavyweight return comes after many speculated he would move up to heavyweight following a massive weight gain in between camps. A heavyweight fight could potentially still be in Pereira’s future, depending on the outcome of Tom Aspinall vs. Ciryl Gane.

Pereira is a likely future UFC Hall of Famer after setting numerous records during his short MMA career. In the meantime, he’s laser focused on dethroning Ankalaev and getting the light heavyweight belt back.

This article first appeared on Bloody Elbow and was syndicated with permission.

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