London — Fight day is upon us, as UFC London arrives later this afternoon. For Welsh bantamweight Jack Shore, it’s been a heck of a journey to this point.
“It felt like it would never come,” he told journalists including Cageside Press during this week’s media day promoting the event. “This is the third UFC London that I’ve been scheduled to fight on, so third time’s the charm as they say.”
The undefeated Shore boasts a 15-0 record, and he’s not entirely on board with the idea that you need to lose to reach your full potential. After all, in the world of professional boxing, Floyd Mayweather Jr. and Wales’ own Joe Calzaghe never lost.
“There’s lessons in every fight, win lose or draw. You’ve got to be real in this sport, one punch, or you zigged when you should have zagged, and you can pick up a loss,” noted Shore. “So I’m a realist, and I know you can pick up a loss easy in this game, but at the same time, Calzaghe did it [went undefeated], Mayweather did it, I’ve got a long way to go before I’m at their level yet, but why can’t I do it?”
With the potential to spoil Shore’s perfect record is Timur Valiev, and it’s a match-up Shore sees as explosive. It’s also one which will see him looking for a finish.
“As long as we’re both in there, I think from the minute it starts, to the minute it finishes, it’s going to be fast, explosive. He brings the fight, I’m going to bring the fight to him,” said Shore. “Ultimately, I want to put him away. I’ve had two decisions in my last two fights, and I don’t like to be known as a guy who wins by decision. I want to put him away, and I’m sure he wants to put me away as well. So it’s gonna make it a good one, that’s for sure.”
Watch the full UFC London media day scrum with Jack Shore above. More coverage from the event can be found below. Shore faces Timur Valiev in the co-main event at the Fight Night card this Saturday, March 19, 2022 at the O2 Arena in London, England.
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