Pyfer stops Adesanya in second round at UFC Fight Night

Joe Pyfer secured a stoppage victory over Israel Adesanya in the second round of their main event bout at UFC Fight Night in Seattle.

Pyfer (16-3) defeated Adesanya (24-6) via technical knockout at 4:18 of the second round after landing a series of strikes, taking him to the canvas and following up with ground punches that forced the referee to stop the contest.

It was Pyfer’s first fight since committing himself to Christianity earlier this year.

He spoke about his recent struggles after the bout.

“I almost took my own life a couple of weeks ago, but I found God,” Pyfer said.

“I don’t like crying, so I’m going to keep it together. God restored me, that’s the only reason I’m here.”

The fight saw Adesanya start strongly, defending early takedown attempts and applying pressure with strikes.

He appeared to trouble Pyfer in the second round before the momentum shifted.

Pyfer landed a counter left hook, followed by a body shot and a right hand that left Adesanya hurt.

He then secured a takedown and moved to his opponent’s back, where he delivered strikes that ended the contest.

The defeat marked Adesanya’s fourth consecutive loss. He has now been stopped in his last three fights.

“You keep going, again and again and again and again,” Adesanya said.

“I’m not f—ing leaving. You’ll never stop me. I might get beat, but I’ll always remain undefeated.”

Pyfer entered the bout ranked No. 14 in the division, while Adesanya was No. 4.

“Izzy is not the most powerful guy in the world, we know that, but he’s one of the highest fight IQ champions of all time,” Pyfer said.

“There’s nobody better. In my book, he’s the best middleweight of all time. I love you as a champion, love you as a person. Congratulations to Israel.

“My man was [ranked] No. 4, I’m in the top five [now]. As Izzy said, ‘they need me and here I am.’ I’m 16-3, 29 years old.”

In the co-main event, Alexa Grasso (17-5-1) defeated Maycee Barber (15-3) with a first-round stoppage.