Joe Pyfer details dark days leading into UFC Seattle fight: ‘I almost took my own life’
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON - MARCH 28: UFC middleweight fighter Joe Pyfer speaks during a post fight press conference during UFC Fight Night at Climate Pledge Arena on March 28, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Mat Hayward/Getty Images) | Getty Images Joe Pyfer just earned the biggest win of his career over Israel Adesanya at UFC Seattle, but the true victory came before that when he saved his own life through the power of God. Pyfer spent fight week discussing his newfound faith, leading some to question whether we’d see the same violent hard-hitting “Bodybagz” that had finished five of his UFC fights.
As far as we can tell there was no change in his hard pressure, big swinging ways. He ended up hitting Adesanya with a number of powerful punches, softening the former champ up for a takedown that led to back control and a ground and pound finish in the second round (watch the highlights here). Following the fight, Pyfer revealed just how important his recent turn to faith was.
“I almost took my own life like a couple weeks ago,” he told Daniel Cormier on the mic in the cage. “And I found God, and I hate crying, man, so I’m gonna keep it together. God restored me, baby.
That’s the only reason I’m here! ” At the UFC Seattle post-fight press conference, Pyfer gave a few more details into what was going on in his life. “I was born into chaos and a messed up family, as many children are,” he said.
It’s not like my story is super special compared to anybody else’s, but I was a victim of my own self destruction. I had lust issues. I had this toxic cycle of coping, nothing drug related or anything like that, but I had a dream where I was disgusted about who I was.