Undefeated Welsh bantamweight Jack Shore looked to continue his success when he faced off with the always game Ricky Simon at UFC Long Island.
On paper, the bout was brimming with Fight of the Night potential, and it was actually something of a shock to see it relegated to the preliminary card.
The action certainly played out in a way that suggested the fight was worthy of a higher billing.
Simon opened what was being billed as “the people’s main event” firing, then changed levels and drove into a takedown. Shore was quickly back up, back against the fence where he had to fight off another potential takedown. Shore managed to push Simon off, and they’d exchange back at center. Simon then changed levels for another takedown shot, which was stuffed. Switching things up, Shore himself dropped levels, but bailed on the takedown attempt. Simon then landed a right hand, before driving Shore up against the cage once again.
The round would close out with them grappling along the cage once again. Shore would land a jab up the middle; shortly after the horn sounded. Round two continued with Shore putting the pressure on along the fence. But when he dragged Shore down, the Welsh fighter was able to post up and regain his footing. If nothing else, however, Simon was gaining all sorts of control time. Finally, Simon hoisted Shore up and slammed his opponent down, while Shore tried in vain to lock in a guillotine.
What a takedown by @RickySimonUFC 😳 #UFCLongIsland pic.twitter.com/z0O1o7MJJ2
— UFC (@ufc) July 16, 2022
Despite the considerable impact of that slam, Shore was immediately back up. Moments later, Shore fired a right hand, but ate one in return. His knee seemed to buckle, and Simon jumped right on a rocked Jack Shore, locking on with an arm-triangle choke and forcing the tap!
Official Result: Ricky Simon def. Jack Shore by submission (arm-triangle choke), Round 2, 3:28
