UFC veteran featherweight Jack Shore called it a career on Wednesday.
At the age of 29, Shore fought the final fight on his UFC contract, a second-round submission loss to Youssef Zalal in November, and he’s decided to walk away from competition to focus on coaching.
His career as a mixed martial artist ends with an impressive record of 17-3. Those three losses came in his last four bouts. Including the loss to Zalal, there was a doctor’s stoppage defeat to Joanderson Brito in May because of a gnarly cut on his shin.
Prior to his submission win over Makwan Amirkhani in March 2023, Shore was submitted in the second round by Ricky Simon in July 2022.
Shore was able to rise to the cusp of reaching the UFC’s Top 15 but couldn’t get over the hump after an excellent run on the independent circuit that earned him a shot with the world’s top promotion.
“Every bit of success I’ve had inside the cage I owe to my incredible coaches,” Shore said on Instagram. “Hehm and Gary for all their knowledge, Paul Reed for everything he’s added the last few years. Of course Coach Carl Parker who for the last 10 years has constantly improved my game and reminded me of who I truly am even when I didn’t always believe it myself, the man who calms when you need calming and rises the intensity when you need it, never afraid to tell you what you don’t want to hear, and a man who has dedicated the last 10 years of his life making me a better fighter.”
Shore’s relationship with his father, Richard Shore, is well documented. He credited his dad with inspiring him to have an MMA career and for always supporting him.
“And of course my dad, who made a chubby 12-year-old believe in himself and convinced him to always chase his dreams, work hard and be proud of who I am,” Shore continued. “The world-class coaching he has given me for over 20 years has helped me reach things in this sport that people only dream of. But most importantly he always remained my dad first and has always been there for and loved his son as well as his fighter. I would not be who I am or achieved a fraction of what I had if it wasn’t for this man. From the arena cellar to arenas around the world, we started as a pair and like I always said we would finish as a pair. There is no better man out there to have as my role model/mentor/coach. There’s no Tank without Shakes.”
Shore will now likely coach alongside his father at Welsh MMA and continue a career within the sport, just not as a competitor in the Octagon. After starting his MMA career a perfect 10-0, Shore continued his run by winning his first five fights in the UFC.
The loss to Simon was the first of his career. Shore finished his career having lost three of his last four fights, and obviously because of his youth, there will be questions as to whether he decides to pivot and return to the Octagon.
Because he’s out of contract with the UFC, he could potentially accept an offer from another organization that might be willing to pay him even more handsomely–if he ever has the itch to fight again.
If he is done, Shore maintains he is fulfilled with what he accomplished.
“What a journey,” Shore concluded. “For once, I can finally say I’m proud of what I’ve achieved and always did my best. Hopefully when people think of Welsh MMA they’ll always think of Tank Shore. Big Love to you all.”
