UFC featherweight Jack Shore has reflected on a tough UFC 286 camp, where his father underwent chemotherapy.
The Welshman was victorious in his featherweight debut after suffering a first career loss in his final bout at 135 lbs. And in the immediate aftermath of the fight, he revealed that his father and head coach, Richard Shore, had been diagnosed with cancer during camp and recently finished chemotherapy.
Speaking to the media in his post-fight press conference, Shore detailed the difficult camp he went through for the fight.
He said: “It’s been a tough camp with my old man going through (cancer). He’s such a strong, out-there character.
“We’re used to him not missing a session in the gym, and on our case constantly. He had to be absent at times because of the treatment he had. He literally finished chemo two weeks ago.”
Jack Shore Talks About his Featherweight Debut at UFC 286
The 28-year-old submitted Makwan Amirkhani in the second round of their fight in London, improving his record to 17-1. After an admitted ‘sloppy’ first round, Shore dominated the Fin on the feet before submitting him via rear-naked choke – with the amateur wrestling medallist tasting defeat by way of submission for the first time in 12 years.
He said: “[I give myself a] 7 out of 10. It was a bit of a sloppy first round. He caught me overshooting and I felt like two or three of my toes snapped. So I was kind of trying to work then back in while from bottom guard.
“But I know I was keeping him working. He’s prone to getting tired, and I know as long as I kept the tight defence, I could come out and turn it round in the second.”
Looking forward to his career at 145 lbs, he admitted that featherweight is a ‘shark tank’ of a division.
He said: “Featherweight is a lot like bantamweight. I’m kind of out of one shark tank and into another. There’s plenty of big names there. There’s plenty of good guys there, and I’m sure they’ll be willing to take me on just as I’ll be willing to take them on.”
Who would you like Jack Shore to face next following his debut win at UFC 286 in London?
Featured image credits to Embed from Getty Images
