Joe Pyfer has become one of the most exciting knockout artists in the UFC middleweight division, turning his troubled past into a compelling story of redemption and success.
The Pennsylvania native, known by his nickname “Bodybagz,” has overcome homelessness and abuse to establish himself as a rising contender while building his financial portfolio through fight purses and strategic sponsorships.
In this article, you will know Joe Pyfer’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more about this powerful finisher who has captured the attention of UFC fans worldwide.
Joe Pyfer’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Joe Pyfer |
| Date of Birth | September 17, 1996 |
| Age | 29 years old |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 6’1″ (185 cm) |
| Weight | 185 lbs (Middleweight) |
| Turned Pro | 2016 |
| Net Worth | $500,000 |
| Career Earnings | $400,000+ (UFC only) |
| @joepyfer |
Early Career
Joe Pyfer grew up in Vineland, New Jersey, before moving to Delaware County, Pennsylvania, where his life took a dramatic turn during his high school years at Penncrest High School.
He started training in jiu-jitsu and mixed martial arts at around four and a half years old when his father introduced him to the sport through training with coach Steven Heg. His childhood was marked by severe hardship, including physical abuse from his father and periods of homelessness during his junior year when he was just 16 years old.
Pyfer spent time sleeping on a metal bench near a baseball field before moving in with a wrestling teammate whose family took him in after he defended his friend from bullying.
His life changed when he met Will Harmon, a teacher and assistant wrestling coach at Penncrest High School who became a father figure and mentor. Harmon provided lunch and support during school hours, eventually offering Pyfer a place to live for four years while he pursued his MMA dream.
During this time, Pyfer developed his wrestling skills and became one of the top wrestlers in the region. The young fighter worked tirelessly to escape his circumstances, balancing training with the emotional trauma of his upbringing.
His early experiences with poverty, abuse, and instability would later fuel his determination to succeed in professional fighting and never return to that life.
Professional Career
Joe Pyfer launched his professional MMA career in February 2016 with his first amateur fight at Art of War Cage Fighting, where he showcased knockout power right from the start.
He competed in various regional promotions including Ring of Combat, where he became the ROC middleweight champion, CES MMA, and Art of War before earning his shot at Dana White’s Contender Series.
His first attempt at DWCS in August 2020 ended in heartbreak when he suffered an elbow injury against Dustin Stoltzfus, losing by technical knockout in the first round.
Two years later, Pyfer returned to the Contender Series in July 2022 and earned his UFC contract by knocking out Osman Diaz in the second round.
His UFC debut came at UFC Vegas 60 in September 2022, where he knocked out Alen Amedovski and earned a Performance of the Night bonus worth $50,000.
Pyfer continued his impressive run by knocking out Gerald Meerschaert at UFC 287 in April 2023, then submitting Abdul Razak Alhassan at UFC Vegas 80 in October 2023, earning another $50,000 bonus.
His first UFC loss came in February 2024 when he faced Jack Hermansson in a main event, losing by unanimous decision after going the full five rounds. Pyfer bounced back strong at UFC 303 in June 2024, knocking out Marc-André Barriault in the first round and collecting his third Performance of the Night bonus.
He continued his winning ways at UFC 316 in June 2025, defeating former title challenger Kelvin Gastelum by unanimous decision, then submitted Abus Magomedov at UFC 320 in October 2025. His current UFC record stands at 7-1 with an overall professional record of 15-3.
Joe Pyfer’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Joe Pyfer holds an estimated net worth of $500,000, with his wealth primarily coming from UFC fight purses, performance bonuses, and endorsement deals.
Fight Purses
| Opponent | Event | Date | Result | Total Purse |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abus Magomedov | UFC 320 | Oct 2025 | Win (Submission) | $151,000 |
| Kelvin Gastelum | UFC 316 | Jun 2025 | Win (Decision) | $101,000 |
| Marc-André Barriault | UFC 303 | Jun 2024 | Win (KO) | $130,000 |
| Jack Hermansson | UFC Vegas 86 | Feb 2024 | Loss (Decision) | $38,000 |
| Abdul Razak Alhassan | UFC Vegas 80 | Oct 2023 | Win (Submission) | $110,000 |
| Gerald Meerschaert | UFC 287 | Apr 2023 | Win (TKO) | $48,000 |
| Alen Amedovski | UFC Vegas 60 | Sep 2022 | Win (TKO) | $74,000 |
Career Earnings
| Year | Estimated Earnings |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $252,000 |
| 2024 | $168,000 |
| 2023 | $158,000 |
| 2022 | $74,000 |
Endorsements
Joe Pyfer currently holds sponsorship deals with several companies that support his fighting career and lifestyle.
He is represented by VaynerSports, the sports management agency founded by entrepreneur Gary Vaynerchuk. His main sponsorship partnerships include SCARMS, an online store specializing in combat sports gear and supplements, and A-GAME, a hydration beverage company that aligns with his athletic needs.
These endorsement deals contribute to his overall income beyond his fight purses, though the exact financial terms have not been publicly disclosed.
As Pyfer continues to climb the UFC middleweight rankings with exciting knockout victories and main card appearances, he is positioned to attract more lucrative sponsorship opportunities.
Career Stats
| Category | Statistics |
|---|---|
| Professional Record | 15-3-0 |
| UFC Record | 7-1 |
| Wins by KO/TKO | 9 |
| Wins by Submission | 4 |
| Wins by Decision | 2 |
| Striking Accuracy | 43% |
| Significant Strikes Landed per Minute | 3.47 |
| Significant Strikes Absorbed per Minute | 3.05 |
| Strike Defense | 53% |
| Takedown Average | 0.75 per fight |
| Submission Average | 0.38 per fight |
| Performance of the Night Bonuses | 3 |
FAQs
1. How did Joe Pyfer overcome homelessness to reach the UFC?
Joe Pyfer survived homelessness during high school by sleeping on park benches and staying with a wrestling teammate’s family. His life changed when Penncrest High School teacher Will Harmon took him in for four years, providing stability and support while Pyfer trained in MMA.
2. What is Joe Pyfer’s fighting nickname and what does it mean?
Joe Pyfer fights under the nickname “Bodybagz,” which reflects his knockout power and finishing ability inside the octagon. The nickname has proven accurate throughout his career as he has finished nine of his fifteen professional wins by knockout or technical knockout.
3. Did Dana White really pay Joe Pyfer’s rent for a year?
Dana White paid for a full year of Joe Pyfer’s rent after Pyfer earned his UFC contract through the Contender Series. White recognized Pyfer’s difficult financial situation and impressive fighting ability after his knockout victory over Osman Diaz.
4. What was Joe Pyfer’s biggest UFC payday so far?
Joe Pyfer’s largest UFC purse came at UFC 320 in October 2025 when he earned $151,000 for his submission victory over Abus Magomedov. This surpassed his previous highest payday of $130,000 from UFC 303 in June 2024 when he knocked out Marc-André Barriault and earned a Performance of the Night bonus.
5. Who trains Joe Pyfer and where does he train?
Joe Pyfer trains at multiple facilities in Pennsylvania including Webb Fitness and MMA and Pursuit Fitness NJ, working with coach Marquez MMA. He has a background in wrestling from his high school days at Penncrest, along with training in judo and Brazilian jiu-jitsu since childhood.
