Undefeated Welshman Jack Shore is looking to bring the UFC to Wales with an impressive performance, but first, he has a date with Dagestani fighter Timur Valiev at UFC London.
Valiev is coming off a unanimous decision victory over Raoni Barcelos at UFC fight night 190. The Russian is ranked number twenty in a stacked UFC bantamweight division with eight wins and one no-contest in his last nine fights. With a wealth of cage experience, Timur Valiev is sure to prove a stiff test for the undefeated Shore.
For those unaware of Shores resume, he is one of the UK’s finest young talents. Holding a perfect 15-0 record, as well as a glittering amateur career in which he is also unbeaten at 12-0. In his 4 UFC bouts so far, he has impressed greatly. Many believing it is only a matter of time before the UK has another champion, this time at 135 pounds.
This represents “Tank” Shores toughest test to date, and it’s in front of UK crowd at UFC London. Speaking to LowkickMMA reporter Jordan Ellis, he said :
“Obviously the closest we are going to get to a hometown fight is UFC London,” Shore said when asked about his upcoming fight adding “I would fight in London every time if I could”
Can Jack Shore make UFC Wales a reality?
Jack Shore has given plenty of thought to the UFC coming to his home country. However, can see why it hasn’t happened yet. Jack Shore is not a man who gives up quickly, especially when it comes to UFC Wales. “I think there are three of us at the minute from Wales in the UFC,” said Shore, whose countrywomen Cory McKenna is also featuring on the UFC London card on March 19th.
“I’m in a position at the minute where I’m probably the closest to being in those rankings and fighting those big names” – Shore said
Lack of Reasonable Venues in Wales?
Explaining what he believes to be the problem, Shore quickly added, “Venue wise in wales at the minute. We have an indoor arena which only seats 8,000 and the millennium stadium, which holds 80000. So we are a bit at two ends of the scale.”
Jack Shore believes if Wales could construct a new venue, he could make a strong case.
“If they could knock us up a 20,000 seater, then I can start to get in Dana and Sean’s ear”
Shore looks to follow UK MMA legends such as Micheal Bisping in bringing the UFC to their homeland. Bisping, a former UFC champion, holds the Welshman in very high regard.
“To be the guy that brought it to Wales like how Conor brought it back to Dublin, or how Mike took it to Manchester would be insane” “It’s not too far away. it’s just a case of the right timing and things falling into place.”
Talking about his plans for the rest of the year, Jack Shore made one thing clear. He plans to stay active. “3 fights would be great. This one in March, then one in summer, then one towards the end of the year”. He believes whoever wins on March 19th can push towards the rankings. Shore said, “Whoever wins this is be in a position to challenge one of those guys ranked 15 to 10”.
When asked how, in such a stacked weight division, does he get noticed in amongst some of the louder bantamweights, Shore remarked, “I think your performances do the talking, look at Sean O’Malley. The fanbase he’s got, the following, he’s got over 1 million followers, and he’s only just got ranked”.
Shore followed up by saying “To be ranked in the US you need to be legit and string a good couple of wins together, there are probably a good 10 guys outside the top 15 that deserve to be ranked, who are not”
Michael Bisping Praises Jack Shore
Shore has been receiving heavy praise from many UFC fans new and old. Perhaps none bigger than the former UFC middleweight champion and Hall of famer Micheal Bisping.
“I’ve got people like Bisping saying I look like GSP. So if I can go in there and either put them away or keep putting on flawless performances where I’m not getting touched, and the only injuries I’m having are the ones I’m carrying into the fight then I think I’m on my way” – Shore said
While we may have to wait a while for UFC Wales to become a reality, his UFC London bout with Timur Valiev is very much set in stone. When asked what to expect Shore remarked, “Obviously I always look for the finish”
“Make no mistake, I’m not going out there like a wildman. If the finish presents itself I’m obviously gonna take it, whether that be on the feet or on the ground”.
With the bantamweight stacked top to bottom with entertaining fighters, it’s hard to pick who the next breakout start will be. One thing for sure, it wouldn’t be wise to bet against Jack Shore from Abertillery Wales.
Follow me on Twitter at @WhatsTheOddsMMA and follow us at Combat Sports UK for more exclusive content!
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
