- The middleweight match between Kelvin Gastelum and Joe Pyfer will be part of the UFC 316 PPV card on June 7.
- The fight will take place at the Prudential Center in Newark.
- Gastulem is the +305 betting underdog, and Pyfer is the -400 betting favorite.
Former UFC middleweight title challenger Kelvin Gastelum is scheduled to face surging contender Joe Pyfer on June 7 as part of the main card of the UFC 316 PPV event, which will take place inside the Prudential Center in Newark.
With his youth and better MMA record, Pyfer heads into the match as the considerable betting favorite with -400 UFC odds, while Gastelum, who has only fought three times in the past three years, comes in as the +305 betting underdog.
Check out the preview and predictions of this middleweight match below.
Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer Odds
- Kelvin Gastelum: +305
- Joe Pyfer: -400
Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer: Prediction
I predict that Pyfer will get the TKO/KO finish against Gastelum because he’s younger, much more athletic, and currently in the peak form of his professional career. Furthermore, he’s a more dynamic striker than Gastelum at this point in their careers.
Pyfer has shown he can put anyone to sleep with his punches, especially when landed cleanly. Add his advantages in height, reach, leg reach, and it’s a nightmare for Gastelum.
No disrespect to Gastelum, but he’s over the hill and past his prime years. He has also been inactive for the past three years as he nursed multiple injuries that forced him to watch on the sidelines.
The physicality and activity of Pyfer will be the biggest factors in this clash, and I believe he would find the mark against Gastelum in the first two rounds to get the TKO/KO finish and potentially earn a spot in the division’s rankings.
Kelvin Gastelum’s Recent Fight Results
Gastelum’s route to the UFC was through The Ultimate Fighter 17, where he won against Uriah Hall in the tournament’s finale with a close split decision to earn a UFC contract. Since then, he competed in 22 bouts and won 12 of them.
His most notable fight in his career was when he fought Israel Adesanya for the UFC interim middleweight title in April 2019, as he pushed “The Last Stylebender” to his limits in the five-round battle.
Since that loss, Gastelum has only won three of his eight bouts in the UFC. In his last fight in June, he defeated Daniel Rodriguez to return to the winner’s circle.
Joe Pyfer’s Recent Fight Results
Pyfer was a former ROC champion when he joined the Dana White Contender Series in August 2020. However, Dustin Stoltzfus defeated him via first-round stoppage to delay his arrival in the UFC.
In July 2022, Pyfer again tried his luck in the Contender Series and fought Ozzy Diaz. This time, he made sure to leave a lasting impression after he scored a second-round finish to finally earn a roster spot.
Pyfer has won four of five UFC fights so far, all via stoppage. His lone loss was from Jack Hermansson, while his latest triumph was against Marc-Andre Barriault, whom he knocked out in the opening round of their UFC 303 showdown.
Kelvin Gastelum vs. Joe Pyfer: Tale of the Tape
| Kelvin Gastelum | Joe Pyfer | |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 33 | 28 |
| Height | 5’9” | 6’2” |
| Reach | 71.5 inches | 75 inches |
| Leg Reach | 39.5 inches | 41 inches |
| Record | 20-9 | 13-3 |
| Fighting Style | Boxing | Boxing |
| Finishing Rate | 60% | 92% |
