Brandon Moreno responds to Joe Pyfer's degrading comments toward Mexico, says feeling is 'mutual'
Joe Pyfer had a rough recent trip across the border to fight at UFC Mexico City. Booked to fight Kelvin Gastelum at the March 29 event, Pyfer's middleweight tilt was ultimately cancelled after a last-minute illness prevented him from competing. The Philadelphia native then took to social media, stating he had severe nausea that resulted in vomiting and sweating throughout the night, as well as "at least 10 or 11" trips to the bathroom. In doing so, Pyfer also took out his frustrations on Mexico.
'I don't care if it's offensive to you, I will never go back to that country,' Pyfer ranted. 'I did everything right. I slept in a tent. I did all this work to still get sick. Some people are saying it wasn't the food, saying I got altitude sickness. I'm not a f***ing geographic f***ing, you know, elevation f***ing scientist, but I was told as long as I acclimated, which I did for two months, slept in a tent on the f***ing floor — you know, I did everything that I could to prepare.
Advertisement
'If that's what altitude and elevation is, f*** that country. I will never fight there again. S*** hole. Not going back. Don't care if that's offensive to you. You're not the one fighting. Suck my balls. Literally.'
Pyfer's fight against Gastelum has since been rebooked for June 7 at UFC 316 in Newark, New Jersey.
While Pyfer's trip to Mexico didn't go according to plan, former two-time UFC flyweight champion Moreno can't relate — he scored a big unanimous decision win over Steve Erceg in UFC Mexico City's main event. As a proud Mexico-born fighter, Moreno is well aware of Pyfer's comments.
"The only thing I can say is, it's fine. We don't need him, as well. It's mutual," Moreno said Wednesday on Uncrowned's "The Ariel Helwani Show."
Advertisement
After his latest performance, Moreno is back on a UFC win streak for the first time since his second title run in 2023. And with this year's annual Noche UFC event set to take place in Guadalajara — marking the first time the UFC's annual Independence Day celebration will be held in Mexico — a spot on the card would be a dream come true for Moreno.
"The Assassin Baby" has yet to be a part of a Noche UFC card and called for his chance after beating Erceg. Despite some minor foot swelling from his latest fight, the five-month gap until September is a perfect timeline for Moreno. It all comes down to whether or not he gets the title shot he desires.
"I would love to fight for the title in front of my people," Moreno said. "I think those kind of moments are those kind of moments where you can be a legend in one moment. Win the title in front of my people in Mexico — that would be awesome to me, for my legacy, for my career.
"The [flyweight] division is very weird right now. Manel Kape is going to fight against [Brandon] Royval, and [Kai Kara-]France, let's see what happens, if he's going to fight [UFC champion Alexandre] Pantoja in the future. Brother, I'll just be ready for whatever."
Advertisement
Pantoja's current reign as flyweight champion began with a thrilling split decision over Moreno in 2023. The loss was Moreno's second to his Brazilian rival — really, third if you include their exhibition bout on "The Ultimate Fighter 24."
Moreno also holds two wins over the division's potential next challenger, Kara-France. So if Kara-France is indeed next in line, Moreno will be watching closely, hoping that either Pantoja or the New Zealander can turn around to fight him in September.
"It's hard to go against Pantoja because he's doing a really good job, right?" Moreno said. "He has this really crazy ability to survive. He finds a way. Sometimes he looks tired with his body or face, but he finds a way to survive the fight, and that's why he's the champion right now. Obviously, the possibility Kai Kara-France has right now, he has more experience than when he fought against [Pantoja] in 'The Ultimate Fighter,' and man, the guy has a lot of power. We saw that against Erceg and other fighters.
"I remember my last fight against him, he hit me hard in the third round, but it's hard to go against Pantoja at this point."
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox Sports
34 minutes ago
- Fox Sports
Trump attends UFC championship fight in New Jersey, taking a break from politics, Musk feud
Associated Press NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — President Donald Trump walked out to a thunderous standing ovation just ahead of the start of the UFC pay-per-view card at the Prudential Center on Saturday night, putting his public feud with tech billionaire Elon Musk on hold to instead watch the fierce battles inside the cage. Trump was accompanied by UFC President Dana White and the pair headed to their cageside seats to Kid Rock's 'American Bad Ass.' Trump and White did the same for UFC's card last November at Madison Square Garden, only then they were joined by Musk. Trump shook hands with fans and supporters — a heavyweight lineup that included retired boxing champion Mike Tyson — on his way to the cage. Trump was joined by his daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, along with son Eric Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Trump shook hands with the UFC broadcast team that included Joe Rogan. Rogan hosted Trump on his podcast for hours in the final stages of the campaign last year. UFC fans went wild for Trump and held mobile devices in their outstretched arms to snap pictures of him. Trump arrived in time for the start of a card set to include two championship fights. Julianna Pena and Merab Dvalishvili were scheduled to each defend their 135-pound championships. UFC fighter Kevin Holland won the first fight with Trump in the building, scaled the cage and briefly chatted with the President before his post-fight interview. ___ AP sports:
Associated Press
38 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Trump attends UFC championship fight in New Jersey, taking a break from politics, Musk feud
NEWARK, N.J. (AP) — President Donald Trump walked out to a thunderous standing ovation just ahead of the start of the UFC pay-per-view card at the Prudential Center on Saturday night, putting his public feud with tech billionaire Elon Musk on hold to instead watch the fierce battles inside the cage. Trump was accompanied by UFC President Dana White and the pair headed to their cageside seats to Kid Rock's 'American Bad Ass.' Trump and White did the same for UFC's card last November at Madison Square Garden, only then they were joined by Musk. Trump shook hands with fans and supporters — a heavyweight lineup that included retired boxing champion Mike Tyson — on his way to the cage. Trump was joined by his daughter Ivanka Trump and her husband, Jared Kushner, along with son Eric Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Trump shook hands with the UFC broadcast team that included Joe Rogan. Rogan hosted Trump on his podcast for hours in the final stages of the campaign last year. UFC fans went wild for Trump and held mobile devices in their outstretched arms to snap pictures of him. Trump arrived in time for the start of a card set to include two championship fights. Julianna Peña and Merab Dvalishvili were scheduled to each defend their 135-pound championships. UFC fighter Kevin Holland won the first fight with Trump in the building, scaled the cage and briefly chatted with the President before his post-fight interview. ___ AP sports:
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
How this queer money coach uses debt to fund a life of freedom
For many, debt feels like a dead end. But for Charly Stoever, it's been a bridge to freedom. Stoever is a trans, nonbinary former stockbroker turned money coach who helps first-gen queer folks take up space and build wealth on their own terms. And they practice what they teach. By carefully choosing business credit cards and leveraging the debt wisely, weighing both emotional and financial returns and committing to a lifestyle that aligns with their values, Stoever has grown a coaching business without sacrificing their well-being. Their story isn't just about financial strategy — it's about redefining security, reclaiming agency and rejecting shame. In a world where debt is often framed as a failure, Stoever sees it as a lifeline for those shut out of traditional paths to wealth. When Stoever began building their business, they made a conscious decision to keep their living expenses low. Rather than committing to long-term housing in one place, they embraced a gig that supported their financial goals, mental health and love of travel: house and pet sitting. 'I get bored easily, and realized I wasn't ready to settle down,' Stoever says. 'I love traveling, and since I'm not tied down to any city as a single person, it made sense not to pay tens of thousands in rent.' Pet setting became a practical strategy that aligned with both their values and their business needs. It allowed them to work from peaceful, stable environments across Mexico, Thailand, the U.S. and now Europe — all while reducing their monthly costs during the early stages of entrepreneurship. 'It also helps my mental health,' they add. 'Having pets around keeps me from feeling isolated when traveling alone. I'm happier when I'm pet-sitting versus staying alone in an Airbnb.' This lifestyle supports both their well-being and their work. Travel keeps them curious, pets keep them grounded and lower expenses create more room for rest, creativity and intentional growth. For Stoever, financial security means having the flexibility to live in ways that feel joyful, aligned with their values and sustainable. 'I was taught that debt was evil — the devil, even,' Stoever says. 'If you were in debt, it meant you were a bad, irresponsible, and frivolous person.' But as a queer, nonbinary first-gen wealth builder, Stoever found that traditional financial advice often lacked context. 'That belief framed debt as a moral issue — even though, as I later realized, millionaires and billionaires use debt every day.' Most personal finance advice doesn't account for systemic barriers like job discrimination, transphobia or the expectation to support extended family without generational wealth. For many, paying cash upfront for every major cost isn't realistic — or strategic. Stoever's perspective shifted as they started their business. 'I paid for my first business coaching program by selling $3,000 of Tesla stock and paying upfront,' they say. 'But then I started learning how other business owners were using business credit cards opened under their business tax IDs — to protect their personal credit and to finance business coaching programs that easily cost five figures.' Even though they'd never carried personal credit card debt, Stoever chose to trust themselves. 'I reminded myself, 'I trust myself to pay this off.' And I made sure to have enough cash on the side so I could pay myself each month. That way, I wouldn't end up resenting my business or giving up.' Debt became a tool — not a burden. For Stoever, it's a form of startup capital that makes growth possible when safety nets are limited or nonexistent. When Stoever invested $9,000 in a business coaching program, they made a deliberate choice to use debt and to make it worthwhile. 'I told myself that if I could make the investment back within the six-month program, it would be worth it. And it was. I made $40,000 in sales during that time.' Stoever uses 0 percent APR offers and interest-free plans to preserve cash flow. Stoever's strategy centers on three key practices. Run the numbers: Use debt calculators to estimate total cost over time. Assess the return: Consider both financial and emotional ROI. Play the payoff: Align repayment with income and capacity. 'I've started seeing money spent not just in terms of financial return but emotional return,' Stoever says. That mindset shift — combined with journaling and nervous system care, like pausing to breathe or stretch before making big decisions — helps them borrow with clarity and confidence. If you're a queer or trans entrepreneur trying to grow your business, Stoever wants you to know that you don't have to do it alone, and you don't have to burn out to succeed. If you're unsure whether borrowing is the right move, Stoever offers three points to consider. Borrow when it helps you grow: Debt can open access to coaching, tools or resources that increase your income or reduce stress. Set your own success metrics: Define financial security for yourself — whether that's traveling, resting more or being able to leave unsafe environments. Lean on your community: Surround yourself with people who share your values and can support your growth. For Stoever, financial security means the ability to choose peace. 'Right now, financial security looks like exactly what I'm doing: I left the U.S. after the election for a fully self-funded three-month 'semester abroad' in Europe.' They've prioritized sleep, stay in supportive housing and invested in their well-being, all while continuing to coach clients. 'Financial security is about freedom — being able to leave toxic environments and live where your dignity and rights are respected. I want to keep building toward that freedom and show others that it's possible.' Sign in to access your portfolio
