UFC 316 – Kelvin Gastelum vs Joe Pyfer – Full Fight Replay Available Today

Kelvin Gastelum and Joe Pyfer locked horns in a middleweight clash full of intensity and raw firepower at UFC 316 on June 7, 2025, inside the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. With Gastelum’s veteran savvy and relentless grit facing off against Pyfer’s rising momentum and knockout potential, the stage was set for a pivotal battle between two men aiming to climb deeper into the 185-pound mix.

Pyfer came out confidently, throwing heavy leather early and establishing his presence with snapping jabs and booming right hands. The younger, stronger fighter looked to impose his will quickly, backing Gastelum up with sheer power. But the seasoned southpaw wasn’t rattled. Gastelum kept a tight guard, absorbed the pressure, and responded with clean counters, using his footwork and head movement to slip and fire back with left straights that found a home on Pyfer’s chin.

The first round set the tone—a fast, high-stakes chess match with both men landing big. Pyfer’s power was real, but Gastelum’s experience under fire began to show. As the rounds progressed, Gastelum gradually took over the rhythm of the fight. He worked the body with slick combinations, chewed up Pyfer’s legs with inside kicks, and refused to let himself be bullied. Pyfer continued to load up, always dangerous, but Gastelum’s movement and combinations disrupted his timing.

By the third round, Pyfer was clearly slowing. The volume and pressure of Gastelum began to wear him down, and while he still had knockout power in his back pocket, it was the former title challenger who was in control. Gastelum poured it on late—landing flurries in the pocket, stuffing takedown attempts, and even cracking Pyfer with a head kick that nearly ended the fight in the closing seconds.

When the final horn sounded, the respect between the two was obvious—and so was the winner. The judges awarded Kelvin Gastelum a unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28), a performance that reminded fans of his grit, experience, and ability to overcome younger, hungrier opposition. For Pyfer, the loss was a tough but valuable lesson—he showed flashes of danger and toughness but ran into a fighter who’s seen every look the sport can offer.

This fight wasn’t just a test of skill—it was a measuring stick for where both men stand in the middleweight picture, and on this night, the veteran answered the call with another hard-earned victory.