The featured preliminary card fight at UFC 286 found Jack Shore looking to bounce back from the first loss of his professional career, as he took on “Mr. Finland” Makwan Amirkhani.
Jack “Tank” Shore had come up short against Ricky Simon last time out, as the Welsh fighter was submitted in the second round. Amirkhani was 1-4 in his last five fights, and was competing in London’s O2 Arena for the third straight occasion.
The fight saw Shore competing as a featherweight for the first time since 2017, prior to his UFC run.
The bout was fairly stagnant through one, as Shore controlled his opponent against the cage but was unable to cause any damage or advance positions. Amirkhani managed to take down and control Shore for the second half of the round, likely winning the first frame despite causing little damage to his opponent.
Amirkhani began to grow sluggish as the second round waned on, as Shore poured on numerous significant strikes, wobbling his opponent more than once. Amirkhani’s gas tank left a lot to be desired, leading the way for Shore to secure a takedown, and smoothly transition into mount before finishing the fight via rear-naked choke.
Shore acknowledged his move up to featherweight following an impressive divisional debut.
“I wanted that gas tank to push on in the second and third round. It paid off,” Shore said in his post-fight interview with Daniel Cormier.
The Welshman moves to 17-1, and will look to fight someone in the top 15 his next time out.
“Mr. Finland” meanwhile falls to 17-9, and has much to figure out following a fifth loss in his last six bouts.
Official Result: Jack Shore def. Makwan Amirkhani via submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Round 2, 4:27
