Adesanya celebrates his UFC victory. Photo: Reproduction/Facebook/UFC
Joe Pyfer revealed that he resorted to an unconventional tactic to overcome Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC Seattle , held last Saturday (28). After finding it difficult to adjust the distance in the first round, the American changed his strategy and began to simulate signs of fatigue to lure the former champion and create the decisive opportunity in the fight.
In an interview with FullSend, Joe Pyfer explained that he feigned feeling the low kick Adesanya threw, adopting a partially intentional expression of pain. According to the fighter, the reaction was intended to make his opponent believe he had the upper hand in the fight and advance more aggressively, allowing him to counter-attack at the right moment.
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“I gave a kind of ‘oooh, that calf kick hurt,’ which was kind of intentional, but at the same time not, because the second I thought he smelled blood in the water, I thought: okay, let him come to me,” said Joe Pyfer.
With the victory, Joe Pyfer has moved up a level in his career. Riding a four-fight winning streak, the 29-year-old American is expected to take fourth place in the rankings, a position currently held by Israel Adesanya.
On the other hand, the former champion extended his losing streak and suffered his fourth consecutive defeat in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
Watch Joe Pyfer knock out Israel Adesanya at UFC.
JOE PYFER IS LANDING EARLY 👊
[ #UFCSeattle | LIVE on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/hfyvIVpq8g
— UFC (@ufc) March 29, 2026
NOT YOUR AVERAGE JOE 🫡
Joe Pyfer gets the biggest win of his career tonight with some GNP!
[ #UFCSeattle | LIVE on @ParamountPlus ] pic.twitter.com/PtHdZ00vei
— UFC (@ufc) March 29, 2026
UFC Seattle Results
MAIN CARD
Middleweight (up to 83,9 kg): Joe Pyfer defeated Israel Adesanya by technical knockout (punches) at 4:18 of round 2.
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Alexa Grasso defeated Maycee Barber by knockout (punch) at 2:42 of round 1.
Welterweight (up to 77,1 kg): Michael Chiesa defeated Niko Price by submission (rear-naked choke) at 1:03 of round 1.
Featherweight (up to 65,7 kg): Lerryan Douglas defeated Julian Erosa by knockout (punches) at 3:33 of round 1.
Middleweight (up to 83,9 kg): Yousri Belgaroui defeated Mansur Abdul-Malik by technical knockout (punches and knee strike) at 1:21 of round 3.
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Terrance McKinney defeated Kyle Nelson by technical knockout (high kick and punches) at 0:24 of round 1.
PRELIMINARY CARD
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Tofiq Musayev defeated Ignacio Bahamondes by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-27, 30-27)
Lightweight (up to 70,3 kg): Lance Gibson Jr. defeated Chase Hooper by technical knockout (punches and kicks) at 2:04 of round 1.
Heavyweight (up to 120,2 kg): Fortuna Tyrrell defeated Marcin Tybura by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Flyweight (up to 56,7 kg): Casey O'Neill defeated Gabriella Fernandes by knockout (punches) at 3:11 of round 1.
Light heavyweight (up to 92,9 kg): Navajo Stirling defeated Bruno Lopes by technical knockout (punches) at 4:05 of round 2.
Bantamweight (up to 61,2 kg): Ricky Simon and Adrian Yanez finished in a majority draw by the judges (29-28, 28-28, 28-28)
Strawweight (up to 52,1 kg): Alexia Thainara defeated Bruna Brasil by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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