Joe Pyfer expects to hear “and new” in the main event of UFC 328.
Pyfer (15-3 MMA, 6-1 UFC) sees Sean Strickland pulling off the upset and spoiling Khamzat Chimaev‘s first title defense of the UFC middleweight belt in the main event of UFC 328, which goes down on May 9 in New Jersey. Pyfer is going with the underdog in this one, as he believes he has the right style to take the unbeaten from Chimaev.
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“I hope Strickland wins,” Pyfer told MMA Junkie. “Chimaev is an amazing wrestler. It’s just I think Strickland’s pretty good at getting to his feet, and he’ll be able to really frustrate Khamzat, so we’ll see. I’m going with Sean Strickland upset.”
Many believe Strickland didn’t deserve another chance at the belt, as they saw Nassourdine Imavov as the rightful No. 1 contender in the division. Although both are coming off impressive wins, Strickland finds himself 2-2 in his last four fights, while Imavov is on a five-fight winning streak.
Pyfer thinks Imavov was deserving of the opportunity, but doesn’t feel strongly about Strickland getting the shot.
“Yeah, I believe Imavov deserves the shot,” Pyfer said. “I think he’s on a great win streak, and he’s a gangster. He goes out there, and he gets busy, but so does Sean Strickland, you know? He stays more active, and he’s talking crap – and, you know, they got history, him and Chimaev. I know Imavov and Khamzat are kind of like boys or buddies or friends. I don’t know. But yeah, I don’t know. I don’t really make much of it. I think both of them are deserving, Strickland and Imavov. So if Strickland fights, I think Imavov is next. I know Imavov and Strickland don’t like each other, or Imavov doesn’t like Strickland. I think either way, no matter who wins, I think Imavov’s next. And, yeah, I think it’ll be a good fight.”
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Pyfer returns to the cage this Saturday in the main event of UFC Fight Night 271 (Paramount+), which takes place at Climate Pledge Arena in Seattle. He takes on former UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya (24-5 MMA, 13-5 UFC) in a five-round bout. Pyfer hopes to crack the top five of the UFC official rankings with a win, and get himself one step closer to the title.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Joe Pyfer picks Sean Strickland to pull off title upset at UFC 328
