Drew Dober wins fans over after UFC Mexico loss while Joe Pyfer’s rant does the opposite: “You're still the man Drew!”

Drew Dober’s night at UFC Mexico didn’t go as planned. The veteran lightweight suffered a brutal first-round knockout loss to Manuel Torres in the co-main event, marking his third straight defeat. But while some fighters might lash out in frustration, Dober took the opposite approach. Instead of blaming the location, altitude, or anything else, he showed grace, praising Mexico City and its people—even though it’s been the site of two of his toughest losses.
His response was in stark contrast to middleweight Joe Pyfer, whose fight against Kelvin Gastelum was canceled due to illness. Rather than keeping it professional, Pyfer went on a scathing rant against Mexico, saying he’s never coming back. The difference in attitude wasn’t lost on fans, who were quick to rally behind Dober and call out Pyfer’s negativity.

Drew Dober, a 25-fight UFC veteran, reflected on his loss with humility, posting on social media:
“As much as I love Mexico City, it’s given me two of my most embarrassing losses of my career, haha. But the food and people are still the best. I’m happy and healthy and excited to be a stay-at-home dad for a while.”

Fans flooded his comments with support, appreciating his sportsmanship. One fan wrote, “Keep your head held high, you're still the man Drew!”

Another added, “You’re a warrior, Drew. Real fans know what you’ve done for this sport. Brutal ups and downs for sure, but you’re more man than any man criticizing you.”

“You're still great , one loss doesn't define you or your career,Thank you for always performing, enjoy little family time before on to the next”

This level of respect stood in sharp contrast to Pyfer’s outburst, which was met with backlash from both fans and fellow fighters. While Dober admitted that fighting in Mexico City hasn’t exactly been kind to him, he didn’t let that sour his perspective. He could’ve blamed the altitude, the conditions, or just vented his frustration, but instead, he showed nothing but love for the place. That’s exactly why fans respect him—because even in defeat, he carries himself with class.
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Dober’s been in this game a long time. He’s fought some of the best—Islam Makhachev, Beneil Dariush, Renato Moicano—and he’s had his fair share of setbacks. This isn’t the first time people have wondered if he’s on the decline, and knowing him, it probably won’t be the last. But if there’s one thing we’ve learned about Drew Dober, it’s that he doesn’t fold when things get tough. Whether he takes a break or jumps right back into the fire, one thing is certain—he’s earned the respect that fans keep showing him.