Latest news with #JackHermansson
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Joe Pyfer fires back at critics: 'I Didn't Get Fraud Checked!', aims at Bo Nickal in fiery rant
The post Joe Pyfer fires back at critics: 'I Didn't Get Fraud Checked!', aims at Bo Nickal in fiery rant appeared first on ClutchPoints. Joe Pyfer has had enough of the 'fraud checked' label. At UFC 316 media day, the surging middleweight prospect addressed the MMA community's favorite insult after his decision loss to Jack Hermansson, and he didn't hold back. In a pointed statement, Pyfer argued that his defeat was nothing like the so-called 'fraud check' that fans and pundits love to throw around. Instead, Pyfer redirected the term squarely at fellow prospect Bo Nickal, whose recent TKO loss to Reinier de Ridder sent shockwaves through the division. The message was clear, Pyfer doesn't see his setback as evidence that he was overhyped or exposed, unlike what he claims happened to Nickal. What Does 'Fraud Checked' Really Mean? The term 'fraud checked' has become MMA's go-to for describing fighters who, after a wave of hype, are exposed as not being as good as advertised. It's a label that stings, especially for rising stars with big promotional pushes. Pyfer, however, insists the label is being misapplied to his own UFC journey. Advertisement Pyfer explained that his loss to Hermansson was a close, competitive affair where he wasn't dominated, finished, or embarrassed. He pointed to the circumstances around the fight, his first main event, his first five-rounder, and coming in less than 100%. Despite the adversity, Pyfer went the distance, losing a narrow decision. 'A lot of people focus on my fight with Jack Hermansson, which is understandable. That was my first major event, my initial significant challenge, and I entered that fight not at my best due to various issues. It wasn't my finest showing, but I wasn't knocked out, I didn't get submitted, and I definitely wasn't fraud checked. If we're talking about who got fraud checked, it would be Bo Nickal, as he was finished in his first loss. I, on the other hand, lost by a split decision, essentially three rounds to two.' Pyfer's argument is simple: a 'fraud check' is when a fighter is thoroughly exposed, finished, dominated, or shown to be out of their depth. By his definition, a hard-fought decision loss to a top-10 veteran doesn't qualify. Bo Nickal: The Real 'Fraud Check'? Pyfer's comments weren't just about defending his own reputation, they were a direct shot at Bo Nickal. Once considered the UFC's next can't-miss superstar, Nickal's aura of invincibility took a major hit when Reinier de Ridder finished him with a brutal knee to the body at UFC Des Moines. Nickal, a three-time NCAA Division I wrestling champion, was touted as a future champion but was stopped in the second round by the more experienced de Ridder. The MMA world pounced. Social media was flooded with 'fraud checked' memes, and Nickal faced a wave of criticism for his performance. Many saw the loss as proof that Nickal's wrestling pedigree wasn't enough to carry him through the upper echelon of the division. Advertisement Pyfer seized on this moment, using it to draw a clear distinction between his own loss and Nickal's. According to Pyfer, Nickal's defeat, where he was finished and his weaknesses exposed, fits the textbook definition of a 'fraud check.' 'Let's redefine what fraud checked is. If anybody got fraud checked, we could say it's Bo Nickal. He got finished on his first loss. I lost a split, basically a split decision, three rounds to one or to two. So it is what it is.' Bo Nickal Responds to the 'Fraud Check' Label For his part, Bo Nickal has handled the criticism with humility. In interviews following the de Ridder fight, Nickal acknowledged the backlash but refused to let it define him. Nickal's focus remains on improving as a fighter, and he's made it clear that he won't be deterred by the noise. Advertisement With Pyfer set to face Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 316, the stakes are higher than ever. A win would put him back on track and further validate his claim that he's no fraud. For Nickal, the path forward is about rebuilding and proving that one loss doesn't erase his potential. Related: UFC 316: Can a fully healed O'Malley dethrone Dvalishvili or is the 'Suga Show' over? Related: Nassourdine Imavov isn't waiting for a title shot, he's forcing the UFC's hand at UFC Paris
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Who Got Fraud Checked? NOT THIS GUY!
Joe Pyfer thinks fight fans are overlooking him. The Middleweight knockout artist holds a 4-1 record inside the Octagon, and each of those victories came via stoppage. However, he feels like the focus remains on the sole loss of his UFC career, a February 2024 upset loss to Jack Hermansson. In that bout, Pyfer was able to start strong, but he lost moment as the fight wore on, and Hermansson's movement really gave him trouble. Advertisement Before the official scorecards had even been read, fans cried, 'FRAUD CHECK!' Pyfer doesn't think that's fair. In his opinion, he suffered a competitive loss to a veteran, and it's not like he got knocked out or anything. Compared to something like Bo Nickal's recent implosion against Reinier de Ridder, it's not such a bad loss! 'I think a lot of people go off my Jack Hermansson fight, which is fine,' Pyfer said. 'That was my first big show, first big test. Walked into it not 100%, had some thigns going on and it wasn't my best performance. But, I didn't get rocked, I didn't got dropped, I didn't get submitted — I didn't get fraud checked. Let's redefine what fraud checked is. If anybody got fraud checked, it's Bo Nickal. He got finished on his first loss. I lost basically a split-decision, three rounds to two.' I actually don't disagree with a lot of Pyfer's comments here. Losing to Hermansson is understandable for a man with relatively few UFC fights, and at 28 years of age, Pyfer has plenty of time to rebound and get better. He's not a fraud for losing a single UFC fight, not when champions like Charles Oliveira have proven that an indirect path to UFC gold is possible. Advertisement The 'split-decision' in question though? Hermansson won that fight cleanly. As for not being 100%, every fighter shows up injured to some degree, so take Dustin Poirier's advice and hush it up! This weekend (Sat., June 7, 2025), Pyfer will finally face off versus veteran Kelvin Gastelum. The two were supposed to square off in Mexico City two months ago, but a last-second stomach problem ejected him from the contest and permanently pissed him off. More from
