Pyfer Shares Blueprint to Beat UFC Champ Chimaev

Middleweight contender Joe Pyfer believes he knows the key to defeating dominant champion Khamzat Chimaev.

Apr. 2, 2026 at 7:05pm

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A fractured, geometric painting depicting the dynamic movements and clashing styles of a UFC middleweight title fight, with sharp planes of color representing the combatants' techniques and strategies.A cubist interpretation of a potential UFC middleweight title clash, with the champion's relentless wrestling style colliding against a challenger's strategic counterattack.Seattle Today

UFC middleweight contender Joe Pyfer believes he has the right game plan to give champion Khamzat Chimaev problems in a potential title fight. Pyfer says the key is to be disciplined in the early rounds, stay low and grounded to defend Chimaev's takedowns, and then look to attack with strikes up the middle.

Why it matters

Chimaev has been nearly unstoppable in his UFC run, capturing the middleweight title with dominant wrestling and grappling. Pyfer is a rising contender looking to position himself for a title shot, and his insights on how to potentially beat Chimaev could be valuable for other fighters hoping to dethrone the champion.

The details

Pyfer says the key to beating Chimaev is to be prepared for the champion's initial wrestling-heavy onslaught. He believes a fighter needs to be disciplined for the first 10 minutes of the fight, staying low and grounded to stuff Chimaev's takedown attempts. Once the champion starts to fatigue from his failed takedowns, Pyfer thinks a fighter can then start to attack with strikes up the middle.

  • Pyfer made these comments in an interview with Full Mount MMA ahead of UFC 328, where Chimaev is set to defend his title against Sean Strickland.

The players

Joe Pyfer

A rising UFC middleweight contender who is currently ranked #6 in the division. Pyfer recently scored a big win over former champion Israel Adesanya.

Khamzat Chimaev

The reigning UFC Middleweight Champion, known for his dominant wrestling and grappling skills that have made him one of the most feared fighters in the promotion.

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What they’re saying

“I think you have to obviously do your due diligence on your wrestling and understand that the only thing he's gonna throw out in the beginning is to set up that initial takedown. He wants to wrestle early so he can fatigue you, and if you're super disciplined for, I would say probably for like the first 10 minutes of that fight where you're just ready for that shot and you're just throwing everything up the middle and changing levels with him where you're staying low and you're staying grounded so he doesn't get a chance to get under you, I think that you have a very, very good chance to win it.”

— Joe Pyfer, UFC Middleweight Contender

What’s next

Pyfer will be closely watching Chimaev's upcoming title defense against Sean Strickland at UFC 328, as a potential future matchup between Pyfer and the champion could be in the works.

The takeaway

Pyfer's insights on how to potentially beat the dominant Chimaev provide a blueprint for other middleweights looking to dethrone the champion. His emphasis on disciplined wrestling defense and counterstriking could prove valuable if put into practice against the fearsome grappler.