Welsh mixed martial arts icon Jack Shore has made the decision to hang up his gloves. After nine bouts in the UFC, Shore announced today via his Instagram page that he will be retiring from competition. Suffering two back-to-back stoppage losses to Joanderson Brito and Youssef Zalal this year, “Tank” leaves behind a record of 17-3, including six wins inside the promotion. Admitting his love for the sport is no longer what it once was, along with racking up several injuries, Shore acknowledged that now was the right time to call an end to his career.
🚨UPDATE🚨
Jack Shore (17-3) has officially retired from MMA.
His father and coach, Richard Shore has today announced.
“It's been a crazy journey, but my son has decided to retire on his own terms. I could not be prouder of him as a man and an athlete. He will join me full… https://t.co/2b625kmAUi
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) December 11, 2024
Jack Shore’s Official Statement on Retiring From MMA
“As what may come as a surprise to a few I’ve decided to hang up the gloves on my professional fighting career,” he began. “After fighting out my contract and taking some time to think about what’s next it’s clear to me that my time with professional fighting is done.”
“Although I had the chance to re sign with UFC I’ve decided my time’s done,” Jack Shore wrote. “I want to thank the UFC for letting me live out my childhood dream of fighting for the world’s biggest organisation and against some of the best in the world, I’ve enjoyed every minute!”
“From what started as a kid with a dream lead me to amateur titles, world titles and living out my dream of fighting in the UFC, Shore continued, “I can truly say for every single fight I gave the training and the fights my all, never said no, never asked questions just kept my head down, stayed true to myself and achieved more than I ever thought possible.”
“For the entirety of my 20’s fighting and training was my life and sole focus, however the last few weeks/months have showed this is no longer the case,” he mentioned. “And I always promised myself when I was mentality checked out I would retire from the sport rather than the sport retire me. Injures have caught up with me after a lifetime in the sport. I’m leaving with my mental [health] in check, good health, financially stable and am fully ready to move onto the future.”
“I’m a martial artist for life and will never not be involved in the sport I love, but the love for the game just isn’t there like it was and for that reason I know it’s time to step away,” he concluded.
A Look Back at Jack Shore’s MMA Career
Although he never saw UFC gold wrapped around his waist, Jack Shore has certainly amassed quite the legacy for himself as one of the best fighters that Wales has ever produced. Among his list of accomplishments includes a nine-fight win streak in Cage Warriors, where he won their bantamweight strap in 2018 vs. Mike Ekundayo (8-2 MMA) during Cage Warriors 100 and defended once before signing with the UFC in 2019. There, he competed largely in the 135-lb. division until a defeat to Ricky Simon in 2022 prompted him to move up to featherweight last year.
At the time of his exit from the company, the 29-year old Shore holds notable wins over Hunter Azure, Liudvik Sholinian, and Timur Valiev (who was riding an eight- fight win streak at the time), along with an overall UFC record of 6-3.
Prior to retiring from the sport of MMA, Jack Shore most recently appeared during the Nov. 2 UFC Edmonton undercard versus the aforementioned Youssef Zalal. In what would ultimately prove to be his retirement fight, Shore sustained a second-round submission defeat by way of rear-naked choke from Rogers Place.
