Liverpool’s Shem Rock (12-2-1) returns to action at UFC London, where he takes on former Desert Force champ Abdul-Kareem Al-Selwady.
His first UFC bout saw the lightweight have precious little time to prepare for Nurullo Aliev. This time out, camp’s been a little different. “Less injuries. It’s been shorter, I’ve only had six weeks. I only knew from six weeks out,” he told Cageside Press in a recent exclusive interview.
That’s actually an improvement of sorts, mind you. “Even though I’ve only had six weeks, I knew who I was fighting from six weeks, where last fight I only had my opponent for the last three weeks. So I’ve had a little bit more time to watch him, game plan. But yeah, same sh*t, different day.”
Asked to describe his opponent, Rock was colourful.
“Short, ugly. Doesn’t stop moving. F*cking annoying, just constantly f*cking moving. Can wrestle but can’t grapple, can punch but can’t strike. I’m just going to kill him. I’m going to kill him.”
The plan for Shem Rock seems to be to come out guns blazing, meanwhile. “I’m just coming at him lad. Soon as the first bell goes, I’m running across the cage, teeping him from far, jabbing him from far, he steps in, he’s coming on to the backhand,” he exclaimed. “I’m going to put him on his back, I’m going to take his back, I’m going to choke him out.”
“If he tries to grapple with me, he’s an idiot,” added Rock, who is teammates with UFC London co-headliner Luke Riley. The two have actually shared a room, with Rock rather happy that Riley doesn’t snore. “I’ve had it before, when someone snores and keeps you up all night, and you have to fight the next day!”
Watch our full interview with Shem Rock above, and check out his UFC London media day appearance below.
