When UFC 320 takes place in Las Vegas on October 4, 2025, all eyes will be on middleweight contender Joe Pyfer as he faces Abus Magomedov in a high-stakes bout. Pyfer, who won by unanimous decision over Kelvin Gastelum at UFC 316, enters this fight with high expectations.

With a 14-3 professional record and a growing reputation as one of the division’s dark horses, the 29-year-old New Jersey native is getting closer to joining the exclusive circle of middleweight title contenders. But long before fans knew him for his knockouts and grit inside the cage, Pyfer was already carrying something else: a moniker with an intriguing and deeply personal history.

Meaning behind Joe Pyfer’s nickname ‘Bodybagz’

Joe Pyfer didn’t choose the moniker ‘Bodybagz’; it was given to him. Growing up, he was often bullied for having prominent dark bags under his eyes. Kids seized on that feature, taunting him as ‘Bodybagz.’ At the time, for Pyfer, it was a cause of annoyance and ridicule, rather than pride. He confessed that he despised the nickname during those years since it constantly reminded him of being different and targeted. But like many fighters who forge strength out of struggle, Joe Pyfer eventually found a way to own the exact thing that had previously pulled him down.

During his high school wrestling career, he performed a judo throw that made an impression on spectators. Someone exclaimed that he had “put that kid in a body bag,” quoting the infamous line from The Karate Kid. Suddenly, the nasty name that had insulted his appearance took on a far more powerful meaning.

Instead of perceiving ‘Bodybagz’ as an insult, Pyfer learned to see it as a battle tag, one that symbolized ending fights with authority. From that point forward, the term stuck, not as an insult, but as an identity. In combat sports, where nicknames often act as mission statements, ‘Bodybagz’ became a moniker for Joe Pyfer’s finishing mindset.

When it came time to brand himself as a professional fighter, Pyfer considered other options, including geographical nods such as ‘Joe Jersey.’ However, the names did not feel authentic. He didn’t want a hometown identity; he wanted one that mirrored his personality. ‘Bodybagz’ managed to convey it. It was raw, powerful, and warned fans what to expect when he entered the cage.

More unknown facts about Joe Pyfer

While Joe Pyfer’s nickname has become well-known among UFC fans, his journey is more than just a label. The latter part of Pyfer’s childhood in Philadelphia was marked by hardship and resilience. He openly questions the idea of the “Philly fighter,” emphasizing that toughness isn’t only about where you come from but also about what you’ve been through.

His bouts with depression and suicide attempts are well documented, contributing to his perseverance. For Joe Pyfer, survival outside the cage has been just as important as survival inside it. However, interestingly, Pyfer has resisted the idea of being a role model.

While many respect him for his honesty and perseverance, he is adamant about not becoming a “poster child” for sympathy. Instead, he defines his journey in terms of inspiration. As he once put it, “I don’t want to be a role model; I just want to be an inspiration for people that are hungry.”

This perspective emphasizes his sincerity; he isn’t attempting to live up to an image but rather demonstrating what is possible when you refuse to give up. Joe Pyfer worked shifts at Verizon Wireless and later at Piazza Honda, a car dealership in Philadelphia, before entering the Octagon.

These experiences not only impacted his work ethic but also provided him with a solid understanding of life outside of the combat game. For spectators, this makes him more relatable: a fighter who has experienced both the hardships of the minimum-wage job and the spotlight of the UFC.

As Pyfer prepares to face Abus Magomedov at UFC 320, his story grows more interesting. From a tormented boy with a cruel moniker to a burgeoning contender known as “Bodybagz,” each step has brought him closer to where he is today, on the verge of the UFC’s middleweight elite, ready to add another name to the bag after massive wins over the likes of Kelvin Gastelum, Gerald Meerschaert, and Marc-André Barriault.