Jack Shore opened up the UFC Fight Island 1 card by dominating and finishing Aaron Phillips in the second round.
Opening up the UFC Fight Island 1 card in Abu Dhabi was a pair of bantamweights, one making their return to the octagon. Aaron Phillips last competed for the UFC in 2014, but after going 0-2 with the promotion, he was shown the door.
However, desperate times require bodies to fill cards, and a five-fight win streak across a couple of smaller promotions earned Phillips another chance.
Welcoming the American back to the octagon on Saturday on “Fight Island” (Yas Island) was undefeated Welsh standout Jack Shore. Shore was coming in off a win in his promotional debut and looking for his 13th straight win as a pro.
Shore started things off with pressure quickly and got the fight into the clinch immediately. He would shoot for the takedown, but Phillips did a great job of keeping the fight on the feet. However, Shore would once again get the fight into the clinch and got the takedown the second time. Phillips tried to scramble back to his feet, and did a good job of it but would end up giving his back to Shore. Shore got the body-triangle and began landing some big shots. Phillips would get him off the back but Shore would land some huge knees in the clinch, before getting the takedown once again.
𝐌𝐚𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐯𝐞 knees!
🏴 @JackShoreMMA ends round RD 1 strong!#InAbuDhabi @VisitAbuDhabi #UFCFightIsland1 pic.twitter.com/KgVtfmnGTg
— UFC (@ufc) July 15, 2020
Phillips would start off the second round by landing some nice leg kicks but would get taken down once again. Shore would do some damage in full guard, before transitioning to get the back. He would land some ground and pound before eventually locking in a rear-naked-choke and getting the tap in the second round!
Official Result: Jack Shore def. Aaron Phillips via submission (rear-naked choke), Roudn 2, 2:00
