Joe Pyfer steps into the biggest fight of his career on Saturday night at UFC Seattle, drawing former middleweight champion Israel Adesanya.
Despite the opportunity to make a statement against one of the division’s most accomplished fighters, Pyfer made it clear he views Adesanya as the greatest middleweight of all time heading into their clash.
“He’s the greatest middleweight of all time in my opinion,” Pyfer told reporters on Wednesday.
“It’s a great opportunity, it’s a great privilege to be able to do what I do, and be able to say that I fought one of the best in the world. I really look at this as a win-win. I’m honored that I got this opportunity. Could have been anybody else, but it’s me.”
Pyfer (15-3) had no issue putting Adesanya above greats such as Anderson Silva. Pyfer explained why he believes the former champion stands above even the legends who came before him.
“If you look at Anderson Silva, who was also one of the best, I think the modern era of the MMA fighter is now. From year to date I think Israel has beat the more complete MMA fighters. Just the way that he did it I think it was so dominant,” he said.
“Anderson Silva was, no disrespect to guys like Stephan Bonnar or Forest Griffin or Rich Franklin, but they weren’t at the level that I think MMA fighters are today. That’s why I tip the cap to Israel as the greatest middleweight of all time.”
Watch the entire media day scrum with Joe Pyfer above. He faces Israel Adesanya in the main event of UFC Seattle on Saturday night.