Philly’s Joe Pyfer is officially lacing up the wrestling shoes once again.

On Friday, September 18, 2026, the UFC middleweight powerhouse, who currently holds the #4 spot in the division's rankings, takes the mat at RAF 13 inside the Watsco Center on the campus of the University of Miami. Action kicks off at 8:00 PM EST, streaming live nationwide on Fox Nation.

For Pyfer, who trains out of Marquez Mixed Martial Arts in Philadelphia, this marks his first official return to a pure wrestling format since his high school days in South Jersey and the Philly suburbs.

Event: Real American Freestyle 13 (RAF 13)

Date: Friday, September 18, 2026

Location: Watsco Center - Miami, FL

Time: 8:00 PM EST

Stream: Fox Nation

Matchup: Joe Pyfer vs. Luke Rockhold (Catchweight)

Back to the Roots: 75 Wins and a Foundation Built in PA & NJ

While MMA fans know "Bodybagz" for his terrifying one-punch knockout power and razor-sharp submission game inside the Octagon, local wrestling fans remember where the foundation was built.

Pyfer started his scholastic wrestling journey in tenth grade at Schalick High School in Pittsgrove Township, NJ, racking up 12 wins. Upon moving to Media, PA, he joined the program at Penncrest High School for his junior and senior seasons, putting together a dominant 63-win run that culminated in a Pennsylvania state tournament berth.

Among those Penncrest victories was an eye-opening 17-2 technical fall over eventual PIAA state champion Brian Kennerly of Upper Darby. By the time Pyfer capped off his high school career, he had accumulated 75 career wrestling wins, an impressive total considering he didn't even step on a high school mat until his sophomore year.

High Momentum Meets Big Experience

Pyfer enters Miami riding the biggest wave of momentum in his professional career. He’s coming off a massive second-round TKO victory over former two-time UFC middleweight champion Israel Adesanya back in March, a win that solidified his spot as a legitimate title contender.

Across the mat, however, stands a tough veteran with a serious championship pedigree in Luke Rockhold.

The 41-year-old Santa Cruz, California native is a former UFC Middleweight Champion and the final Strikeforce Middleweight Champion. Growing up in a hyper-athletic family alongside his pro-surfer brother Matt, Rockhold wrestled through his school years at Soquel High School before fully committing to Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and MMA.

While Rockhold dropped a 12-0 technical fall decision to Colby Covington in his RAF debut back in January, his length (6'3"), world-class top control, and extensive grappling background make him a dangerous test for anyone in a wrestling-only setting.

Joe Pyfer

Hometown / Base: Vineland, NJ/Philadelphia, PA

UFC Rank / Status: #4 UFC Middleweight

Height / Weight: 6'2" / 185 lbs

Wrestling Base: Penncrest HS (PA) / Schalick HS (NJ)

Luke Rockhold

Hometown / Base: Santa Cruz, CA

UFC Rank / Status: Former UFC Champion

Height / Weight: 6'3" / 185 lbs

Wrestling Base: Soquel HS (CA) / BJJ Black Belt

This non-striking catchweight bout gives Pyfer a prime opportunity to showcase his physical wrestling control while staying active. Tune in Friday night on Fox Nation to watch Philly’s own step back on the mat!