Jack Shore gets $50,000 bonus in ‘dream start’ to UFC career that ended in shock retirement after defeat

On By Littum

Jack Shore looked to be the next big thing when he made his UFC debut.

‘Tank’ joined MMA’s premier promotion after amassing an impressive 11-0 record, winning the Cage Warriors bantamweight title and defending it with back-to-back stoppage victories over two tough opponents.

Nohelin Hernandez was Jack Shore’s first UFC foe. The 10-3 fighter came up short in his UFC debut, but his defeat to Marlon ‘Chito’ Vera has aged well as the Ecuadorian has since proven himself to be one of the best 135lb fighters on the planet.

Shore vs. Hernandez kicked off a UFC card in Copenhagen, Denmark on September 29, 2019.

(L-R) Jack Shore of Wales submits Nohelin Hernandez in their bantamweight bout during the UFC Fight Night event at the Royal Arena on September 28, 201...
Photo by Jeff Bottari/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images

Jack Shore’s dream start to life in the UFC

Jack Shore was completely dominant with his wrestling against Nohelin Hernandez at UFC Copenhagen

The proud Welshman took his opponent down in the first and second rounds before closing the show in the third frame.

Shore locked in a super-tight naked choke from the back to force Hernandez to tap out and live up to his pre-fight billing from Dana White, who called him ‘the hottest prospect in Britain’.

The UFC boss celebrated being proven right on social media before handing Shore a $50,000 Performance of the Night bonus.

“I’m over the moon. It’s a dream start in the UFC,” he said after the fight.

“I’m known as a finisher and I wanted to tell everyone my intentions. I have trained harder and prepared better than ever for this fight. To get a win like that was a dream come true.”

Shore kept his dream start going in the UFC with three more wins that made him a potential contender. Unfortunately, Ricky Simon submitted the 29-year-old and derailed his hype train in July 2022.

A move up in weight led to a win over Makwan Amirkhani – but since then Shore has suffered two consecutive losses, including a recent defeat to Youssef Zalal that has prompted him to announce his premature retirement from the fight.

Jack Shore retires

On Wednesday, Jack Shore issued a lengthy social media statement about his martial arts career.

‘Tank’ revealed that his UFC contract has expired. There was an opportunity to re-sign with MMA’s premier league, but he has decided to focus on other things going forward.

“Hey guys, been quiet for a while enjoying time with my friends and family,” Shore wrote on Instagram.

“As something that may come as a surprise to a few, I have decided to hang up my professional fighting career. After fighting out of my contract and taking some time to think about what’s next, it’s clear to me that my time with professional fighting is over.

“Although I had the chance to re-sign with the UFC, I have decided that my time is up. I want to thank the UFC for letting me live out my childhood dream of fighting for the biggest organization in the world and against some of the best in the world, I’ve enjoyed every minute of it!

“From what started as a kid with a dream led me to amateur titles, world titles and living out my dream of fighting in the UFC. I can truly say for every single fight that I gave everything to the training and the fights, never said no, never asked questions, just kept my head down, stayed true to myself and achieved more than I ever thought possible.

“Throughout my 20s, fighting and training was my life and sole focus, but the last few weeks/months have shown that is no longer the case. And I always promised myself when I was mentally examined that I would retire from the sport rather than the sport to retire. Injuries have caught up with me after a lifetime in the sport. I’m leaving with my mind in good health, financially stable and ready to go in the future.”

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